‘Meeting God in Creation’
Abernethy Kilmalieu, Argyll
THE Christian retreat house Kilmalieu, on the shores of Loch Linnhe, is a renovated 18th-century hunting lodge surrounded by spectacular scenery and wildlife. The “Meeting God in Creation” retreat, from 1 to 5 June, is a chance to immerse yourself in nature while deepening your relationship with God.
The mountains, ancient woodlands, and pebbly beaches of the surrounding area provide space and silence, and your retreat can be as relaxing or as active as you choose; if you feel like getting stuck in, there are always conservation tasks to help with.
Rooms: Eight in the main house: single, twin, and double, plus one double and one twin in the lodge.
Cost: £480 shared room; £600 single room full board.
Contact: email: kilmalieu@abernethy.org.uk; phone: 01967 411222.
‘Reconnecting to Sacred Nature’
Hilfield Friary, Dorchester
MODERN life has a habit of cutting us off from the natural world. Soul Rewilding, a not-for-profit collective, seeks to renew our relationship with the planet’s beauty, and inspire hope that we can all make a difference.
The peaceful setting of Hilfield Friary, the Anglican Franciscan friary in rural Dorset, will host the “Reconnecting to Sacred Nature” retreat both from 24 to 26 April and from 26 to 28 June. The retreat welcomes people of any spiritual tradition or none, and brings together different world philosophies, earth sciences, and evolutionary biology to help participants to contemplate the intertwining of humanity and the earth.
Rooms: Two double, two twin, and 17 single — mostly with shared bathrooms.
Cost: £260 full board.
Contact: email: mikemullins@soulrewilding.co.uk; phone: 07973 642875.
One of the self-contained units at Llannerchwen, Brecon, Powys
‘Listening to the Earth’
Llannerchwen, Brecon, Powys
COME prepared with outdoor clothes and sturdy footwear for the “Listening to the Earth” retreat in the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park).
Inspired by the book of Job’s wisdom to “ask the animals and they will teach you. . .”, this contemplative retreat uses scripture, poetry, and nature to consider how God’s earth expresses itself, and how we can learn to listen. Most of the retreat takes place outdoors, and includes a balance of quiet times, conversations, and reflective sharing.
The Society of the Sacred Heart, at Llannerchwen, in Powys, offers retreatants accommodation in self-contained units for the retreat, which runs on a choice of two dates: 27 April-1 May and 27-1 July.
Rooms: Six self-contained units (each with their own kitchen and bathroom) offer self-catered, single occupancy stays.
Cost: £440.
Contact: email: retreats@llannerchwen.org.uk; phone: 07415 111959.
View of the Bield at Blackruthven, Perthshire
‘Renewing Ourselves in Sound and Silence’
The Bield at Blackruthven, Perthshire
CELEBRATE the renewal and colour of spring at The Bield’s “Renewing Ourselves in Sound and Silence” singing workshop, running from 28 April to 1 May.
You don’t need to be an accomplished singer to join the relaxed and uplifting retreat, led by experienced choir leader Meri Goad. The vocal sessions are complemented by guided meditations on the theme of spring and awakening, and there will be time to relax and explore the 30 acres of grounds. The walled garden provides organic vegetables for the Bield’s hospitality, and tranquil woodlands are home to diverse bird species.
Rooms: Three double, four twin, two single — some en suite and others with shared bathroom.
Cost: £425 full board.
Contact: email: info@bieldatblackruthven.org.uk; Tel: 01738 583238; Visit: bieldatblackruthven.org.uk
‘The Sea, Creation, Ecology and Prayer’
St Mary the Virgin, Whitby, North Yorkshire
THE sea sustains life on earth and makes its powerful presence felt throughout the Bible. The St Bede’s Pastoral Centre, based in York, invites you to a thought-provoking weekend retreat based at St Mary the Virgin, Whitby, from 12 to 14 June. Led by the Revd Dr Liz Hoare, a spirituality team member at St Bede’s, the retreat considers what the sea can teach us about wonder, beauty, our relationship with God and the survival of the planet.
The weekend’s group discussions will be interspersed with time to pray, walk, and take in St Mary’s dramatic clifftop setting, in the shadow of the 11th-century abbey and overlooking Whitby and the North Sea.
Rooms: Seven singles at St Mary’s, all with shared bathrooms.
Cost: £270 full board.
Contact: email: admin@stbedes.org.uk; Tel: 01904 464900.
The Hidden Life of Trees
Quiet Waters Christian Retreat, Bungay, Suffolk
YOU might catch a glimpse of a kingfisher at Quiet Waters, where the two-acre gardens meet the banks of the River Waveney. With its woodland walks and visits from deer, pheasants, hedgehogs and other wildlife, Quiet Waters is a welcoming setting for the Hidden Life of Trees retreat, running on the weekend of 20-22 March. It is a chance to explore trees’ extraordinary ability to cooperate and communicate, and consider how the interconnectedness of God’s creation can help us to strengthen our own support systems.
Rooms: Two double, five twin, two singles, most with shared bathrooms.
Cost: £270 full board.
Contact: email: mail@quietwaters.org.uk; Tel: 01986 893 201.
The garden at the House of Prayer, Molesey, Surrey
The Call of Ecological Conversion
House of Prayer, East Molesey, Surrey
IF IT is difficult for you to get away on a residential retreat, a quiet day can be the ideal chance to pause for reflection.
This themed day on 28 March, led by the director of the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice, Sister MaryAnne Francalanza, explores God’s presence in the majesty and resilience of creation, and how our own lives can honour him by listening to the cry of the earth. The day includes conversation, prayer, and silent time, all of which provide the space to listen to God’s voice.
The House of Prayer is an oasis of calm, just a mile from Hampton Court Station. Retreatants coming from further afield can book an overnight stay with breakfast.
Rooms: Eight double en suite.
Cost: £35 day; £110 including B&B.
Contact: email: admin@christian-retreat.org; phone: 020 8941 2313.
Alison MacTier is the executive director of the Retreat Association.
TRAVEL AND RETREATS is edited by Christine Miles. Tours and holidays advertised are not guaranteed or underwritten by the Church Times or Hymns A&M. Readers should check for ATOL/ABTA guarantees and take out insurance. Details are correct at the time of publication. See also www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
