The retreat guide 2026–2027 edition
Christian retreats in the UK.
Time for prayer. Space to pause.
Explore twelve illustrated retreat centres and a regional directory, with practical help on silence, spiritual guidance, costs and finding a stay that suits you.
About this guide: We checked official provider information on 24 October 2026. This is a practical editorial guide, not a quality ranking based on first-hand visits. Review My Retreat offers paid marketing services to retreat providers. Check current details and book directly with the centre.
A Christian retreat offers time away for prayer, reflection and rest. Across the UK, you can spend a few hours at a quiet day, join a guided weekend, or stay alongside a monastic community. The right choice depends on the rhythm you want and how much guidance you would welcome.
For a first retreat, try a quiet day or introductory weekend. For personal prayer with support, look for an individually guided retreat. For an independent stay shaped by shared prayer, explore monastery guest accommodation. A community holiday can offer more conversation and activity.
Different places. Different rhythms.
The twelve featured centres show a range of locations and approaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regional directory offers more places to explore, including some day-only and daily-life options. Numbering is for navigation, rather than an order of merit.
Genuine photographs, a clear description and practical booking notes.
Browse eleven regions; each entry explains the type of visit.
Current provider pages, corrected links and dated price examples.
Programmes differ even within the same tradition. Ask about silence, worship, meals and accommodation before choosing. A published calendar does not guarantee places, and we have not independently assessed every room, programme or access arrangement.
At a glance
Compare twelve Christian retreat centres.
Start with the location and format, then read the profile for details that could affect your stay.
On smaller screens, scroll across the table to see all columns.
| Centre | Location | Format | Setting and tradition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Abbey Devon | Lynton, North Devon | Retreats, holidays and church groups | Christian residential community |
| Scargill House | Kettlewell, North Yorkshire | Themed, creative and guided retreats | Christian residential community |
| Parcevall Hall | Appletreewick, North Yorkshire | Private stays, quiet days and events | Anglican; welcomes religious and secular groups |
| Wydale Hall | Brompton-by-Sawdon, North Yorkshire | Quiet days, residential and group stays | Anglican; ecumenical welcome |
| Ashburnham Place | Near Battle, East Sussex | Retreat programmes and hosted groups | Christian community |
| Worth Abbey | Turners Hill, West Sussex | Day, guided and self-guided retreats | Catholic Benedictine |
| The Kairos Centre | Roehampton, London | Private, preached and guided retreats | Catholic spirituality centre |
| Pluscarden Abbey | Near Elgin, Moray, Scotland | Self-directed stays; two-night minimum | Catholic Benedictine |
| The Bield at Blackruthven | Near Perth, Scotland | Quiet days, guided and private stays | Christian spirituality centre |
| St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre | Tremeirchion, Denbighshire | Individually guided and themed retreats | Catholic Jesuit / Ignatian |
| Llangasty Retreat House | Llangasty, Powys | Quiet days, residential and group stays | Anglican foundation; ecumenical outlook |
| Drumalis Retreat and Conference Centre | Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland | Programmes with retreat accommodation | Passionist tradition; broad welcome |
These are starting points, not interchangeable packages. Read each centre’s current programme for dates, inclusions and participation expectations.
Places to pause
Twelve centres, in closer detail.
From the North Devon coast to a monastery in Moray, each offers its own approach to Christian hospitality.
Lee Abbey Devon
Lynton, North DevonOn the North Devon coast, Lee Abbey combines the space of a coastal estate with the welcome of a residential Christian community. Its programme includes retreats, holidays and conferences for individuals, couples, families and church groups. A stay can bring together worship, teaching, shared meals and time outdoors, with woodland and coastal paths close at hand. Choose a programme that matches the atmosphere you want, whether that means reflection, a themed week or a family holiday.
Keep in mind: Read the individual programme before booking; family provision and the balance of organised activities vary. Ask about access to buildings and estate paths.
Scargill House
Kettlewell, North YorkshireScargill House offers Christian retreats and holidays in the Yorkshire Dales, hosted by a resident community. The programme ranges from themed and creative weeks to individually guided retreats, alongside dates for families and younger adults. The setting makes it a good option for combining time indoors with walks in the surrounding landscape. Its different programmes offer different rhythms: some emphasise conversation and community, while others create more space for silence and personal reflection.
Keep in mind: Check the event description for silence, group activities and walking requirements. Scargill advertises financial support for guests who need help with the cost.
Parcevall Hall
Appletreewick, North YorkshireParcevall Hall is the retreat house of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, set near Appletreewick in the Yorkshire Dales. It welcomes individuals and groups for residential stays, quiet days and programmes that include faith, creativity and reflection. Guests can join an organised event or enquire about a private stay, making it a flexible choice for a pause in the countryside. The house welcomes both religious and secular groups and advertises single rooms without a single supplement.
Keep in mind: Book quiet days in advance and bring your own lunch where requested. Ask the house about bedroom and access arrangements before reserving a stay.
Wydale Hall
Brompton-by-Sawdon, North YorkshireWydale Hall is the Diocese of York’s retreat and conference centre, between Pickering and Scarborough on the edge of the North York Moors. It welcomes individuals and groups from across Christian denominations for quiet days, residential retreats and church gatherings. The programme offers different ways to step back, from personal reflection to guided seasonal retreats. Accommodation options include the catered main house and separate self-catering provision, so the experience depends on the booking you choose.
Keep in mind: Confirm whether you are booking the catered hall or self-catering accommodation. Discuss room access directly; some separate units have stairs.
Ashburnham Place
Near Battle, East SussexAshburnham Place brings together Christian hospitality, a resident international community and extensive gardens, woodland and lakes in East Sussex. Its programme includes retreats, conferences and time away for individuals, while churches and other groups can arrange hosted stays. The scale of the estate offers room for walking and reflection, although the atmosphere varies with the events taking place. Choose a retreat or rest programme that suits your plans, and check whether catered accommodation or a self-catering option fits best.
Keep in mind: Access to the wider estate depends on the booking. Day visitors have a more limited permitted walk than residential guests; confirm current arrangements with the centre.
Worth Abbey
Turners Hill, West SussexWorth Abbey offers retreats within a living Benedictine Catholic monastery in West Sussex. Its programme includes guided and self-guided stays, day retreats, themed weekends, creative programmes and events for young adults. The rhythm of monastic prayer provides the setting, with opportunities to spend time in quiet reflection and attend the abbey’s liturgy. Options range from a short introduction to a more structured retreat, so it is worth choosing an event whose pace and focus feel right for you.
Keep in mind: Check the dates and booking status of the specific retreat. Ask the host about silence, worship expectations and participation in Communion.
The Kairos Centre
Roehampton, LondonThe Kairos Centre is a Catholic spirituality and conference centre in Roehampton, with landscaped gardens close to Richmond Park. It offers personal quiet days, private stays, individually guided retreats and preached programmes, bringing a retreat setting within reach of London. Some programmes follow a structured pattern of talks, prayer and Eucharist, while others make room for personal reflection with accompaniment by arrangement. The range makes it important to choose the retreat format as carefully as the dates.
Keep in mind: Some preached and individually guided retreats are held in silence. Contact the centre about availability and arrange spiritual direction in advance.
Pluscarden Abbey
Near Elgin, Moray, ScotlandPluscarden offers a guest stay alongside a Catholic Benedictine community near Elgin. Guests may attend the monks' daily prayer and Mass, with space for reading, quiet and some shared work. It is usually a self-directed stay rather than a formally directed retreat. The abbey welcomes men and women of all faiths, but accommodation and meals differ between guest houses.
Keep in mind: Two-night minimum. Women stay in eight en-suite rooms and self-cater with basic provisions; men's accommodation is mainly shared-bathroom, with lunch and supper in the refectory. Confirm the appropriate guest house directly.
The Bield at Blackruthven
Near Perth, ScotlandThe Bield welcomes individuals, couples, families and groups for day visits and residential retreats near Perth. Its Christian setting offers a choice of guided silence, prayer and creative reflection rather than one fixed timetable for every guest. Compare the programme with a private stay and choose how much guidance you want.
Keep in mind: Ask about the specific programme, accompaniment, catering and room arrangements.
St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre
Tremeirchion, DenbighshireSt Beuno’s is a Jesuit spirituality centre in North Wales, offering retreats rooted in the Ignatian tradition. Its programme includes individually guided retreats, themed stays and opportunities to explore the Spiritual Exercises. Introductory retreats help newcomers understand the pattern of quiet prayer, rest and individual accompaniment before entering more deeply into silence. The emphasis is on personal reflection with guidance, making it a distinct experience from a sociable holiday or a programme built around group activities.
Keep in mind: Read the preparation guidance and discuss your previous retreat experience with the centre. Published programmes can fill early, so check availability before making travel plans.
Llangasty Retreat House
Llangasty, PowysLlangasty Retreat House overlooks Llangors Lake in Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons. Set in a former Victorian rectory, it has an Anglican foundation and an ecumenical outlook, welcoming individuals and groups for reflection, study and prayer. Its programme includes retreats and opportunities to spend a quieter day at the house, with the surrounding countryside adding to the appeal. It is a good option to explore if you prefer a smaller retreat-house setting.
Keep in mind: Check room and access arrangements directly. The advertised 2026 drop-in days ask guests to bring lunch; tea and coffee are provided and donations are welcome.
Drumalis Retreat and Conference Centre
Larne, County Antrim, Northern IrelandDrumalis combines retreats and learning with a focus on faith, peace-building and care for the Earth. Set in Larne, it draws on the Passionist tradition and explicitly welcomes people from different Christian denominations, other faith backgrounds and those exploring meaning. Choose the specific event according to its teaching and format.
Keep in mind: On-site accommodation is arranged with a retreat, programme or group booking, rather than as a stand-alone hotel stay. Most rooms are en-suite; four accessible bedrooms and lifts are advertised. Confirm room suitability with the office.
Find your format
What kind of Christian retreat do you want?
Choose the pace and level of support before comparing rooms or scenery.
Quiet days
A short introduction with time for prayer and reflection, sometimes guided by a theme or short talks. Check whether lunch is included or you need to bring it; some houses ask for a donation.
Individually guided retreats
Usually a period of personal prayer with regular one-to-one meetings with a spiritual director or prayer guide. Many are mainly silent. The length and level of accompaniment vary, and introductory options can help first-time guests.
Preached or themed retreats
A retreat leader offers talks or reflections around a subject, season or text. There may be shared worship and discussion, but preached retreats can also be held in silence: the label alone does not tell you the atmosphere.
Monastery guest stays
Stay near a religious community and follow your own reading, prayer and rest, with opportunities to attend its worship. Hospitality is shaped by the community’s rule. Meals, minimum stays and accommodation for men and women can differ.
Community holidays and creative weeks
Hosted programmes can combine Christian teaching and worship with walking, creative work, conversation or family activities. They may suit people who want company and structure. Check the schedule if you are looking for sustained silence.
Private or self-catered retreats
An independent stay gives you more control over your time, but does not automatically include a guide, meals or organised activities. Some houses welcome individuals; others hire only to groups. Ffald-y-Brenin, for example, offers self-catering stays rather than led retreats.
Retreats in daily life or online
Remain at home while setting aside regular time for prayer and meeting a guide in person or online. Edinburgh Jesuit Church and the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow offer this kind of approach; these are not residential bedroom bookings.
It can shape worship, teaching, silence and the daily timetable. This guide includes Catholic, Anglican, ecumenical and Quaker settings. Many centres welcome people from other backgrounds, but practices and guest policies vary. Ask the host about services, Communion, house rules and anything you need to feel comfortable; avoid assuming every centre works the same way.
Find somewhere closer
Christian retreats by UK region.
Explore 73 centres and retreat organisations. Some offer residential stays, while others provide quiet days or retreats in daily life. Open a region and follow the official link for current programmes.
The directory is a starting point, not a live availability list. Individual houses may host conferences, closed groups or restricted guest programmes alongside retreats. On a phone, scroll within a table to see all columns.
London & South East England
16 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Centre for Reflection | Aston Tirrold, Oxfordshire | Day retreats and workshops; residential stays not advertised |
| Charney Manor | Wantage, Oxfordshire | Quaker heritage; residential retreats and group stays |
| Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre | Battle, East Sussex | Christian prayer ministry; personal and led retreats |
| Douai Abbey | Woolhampton, Berkshire | Benedictine Catholic; guesthouse retreats and quiet days |
| The Friars, Aylesford Priory | Aylesford, Kent | Carmelite Catholic; simple guesthouse and retreat stays |
| L'Abri | Greatham, Hampshire | Christian study community; shared study, discussion and practical work |
| Penhurst Retreat Centre | Penhurst, East Sussex | Residential retreats, quiet days and individual guided programmes |
| Poor Clares of Arundel | Arundel, West Sussex | Catholic contemplative community; personal retreat enquiries |
| The Royal Foundation of St Katharine | Limehouse, London | Anglican urban retreat; quiet days and residential programmes |
| Sisters of St Andrew | Lewisham, London | Catholic Ignatian; self-catered personal and group retreats |
| St Columba's House | Woking, Surrey | Anglican; day and residential retreats |
| St Ethelwold's House | Abingdon, Oxfordshire | Quiet rooms and simple guest accommodation; shared bathrooms |
| Stanton House | Stanton St John, Oxford | Christian; personal and guided residential retreats |
| Worth Abbey | Turners Hill, West Sussex | Benedictine Catholic; guided, self-guided and day retreats |
| Ashburnham Place | Near Battle, East Sussex | Christian community; residential retreats, group stays and self-catering options |
| The Kairos Centre | Roehampton, London | Catholic; quiet days, guided retreats and silent preached programmes |
South West England
11 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Abbey House | Glastonbury, Somerset | Day venue and workshop hire; former residential retreat offer ended |
| Ammerdown Centre | Radstock, Somerset | Interfaith welcome; day and residential courses and retreats |
| Buckfast Abbey | Buckfastleigh, Devon | Benedictine Catholic; retreat accommodation with separate booking arrangements |
| The Well at Elsie Briggs House | Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol | Christian contemplative quiet days; contact the warden in advance |
| Greenhouse Christian Centre | Poole, Dorset | Led Christian retreats, personal-retreat weeks and holiday breaks |
| Hilfield Friary | Dorchester, Dorset | Anglican Franciscan; day and residential retreats |
| Othona West Dorset | Burton Bradstock, Dorset | Open Christian community; residential retreats, courses and shared activities |
| Sarum College | Salisbury, Wiltshire | Ecumenical; themed retreats and residential course options |
| Sheldon (Society of Mary and Martha) | Sheldon, Exeter, Devon | Christian community; led retreats, rest weeks and work parties |
| Lee Abbey Devon | Lynton, North Devon | Christian community; residential retreats, holidays and family programmes |
| Lox Lane Christian Encounter Centre | Near Shaftesbury, Dorset | Christian group retreats and self-catering stays; individual rooms by enquiry |
Yorkshire
7 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Ampleforth Abbey | Ampleforth, North Yorkshire | Benedictine Catholic; guided and personal retreats |
| The Briery Retreat Centre | Ilkley, West Yorkshire | Catholic; preached and individually guided retreats |
| Holy Rood House | Thirsk, North Yorkshire | Inclusive ecumenical retreat house; individual and group stays |
| Whirlow Spirituality Centre | Sheffield, South Yorkshire | Christian retreat days; residential events take place at other venues |
| Scargill House | Kettlewell, North Yorkshire | Christian community; themed, family and individually guided retreats |
| Parcevall Hall | Appletreewick, North Yorkshire | Anglican diocesan retreat house; residential stays and quiet days |
| Wydale Hall | Brompton-by-Sawdon, North Yorkshire | Anglican; residential retreats, quiet days and group accommodation |
North East England
5 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Alnmouth Friary | Alnmouth, Northumberland | Anglican Franciscan guest stays and day visits with shared facilities and times of silence |
| Community of Aidan and Hilda | Holy Island, Northumberland | Self-catering retreat houses with access to the community's prayer room and library |
| Marygate House | Holy Island, Northumberland | Individual and group Christian retreats; shared bathrooms; two-night minimum |
| Minsteracres Retreat Centre | Northumberland–County Durham border | Passionist day, residential and individual retreats |
| Shepherds Dene | Near Riding Mill, Northumberland | Church of England individual and group retreats with catering; confirm room availability |
North West England
4 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Whalley Abbey | Whalley, Lancashire | Anglican quiet days, residential programmes, self-guided and group retreats |
| Oblate Retreat Centre — Wistaston Hall | Crewe, Cheshire | Catholic retreat centre accepting retreat bookings; confirm programme and dates |
| Rydal Hall | Rydal, Cumbria | Christian retreat house with quiet days and residential or creative programmes |
| St Joseph's Prayer Centre | Formby, Merseyside | Personal quiet days, spiritual direction and residential or group retreats |
East of England
7 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| All Hallows, Bungay | Bungay, Suffolk | Anglican community; Pax days and quiet days in Bungay |
| Clare Priory | Clare, Suffolk | Augustinian Catholic; retreats for individuals and groups |
| Letton Hall | Shipdham, Norfolk | Christian group venue; catered or self-catered residential stays |
| Quiet Waters | Bungay, Suffolk | Christian retreat house; personal, led and creative retreats |
| Pleshey Retreat House | Pleshey, Essex | Anglican; day and residential retreats at Pleshey |
| Turvey Abbey | Turvey, Bedfordshire | Benedictine Catholic; individual day guests only, no residential accommodation |
| Sisters of Bethany, Norfolk | Moulton St Mary, Norfolk | Anglican; led quiet days for small groups in Norfolk |
East Midlands
2 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Launde Abbey | East Norton, Leicestershire | Anglican; day, creative, silent and residential retreats |
| Whaley Hall | Whaley Bridge, High Peak | Christian group retreat and conference venue; enquire directly |
West Midlands
3 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont Abbey | Hereford, Herefordshire | Benedictine Catholic; quieter guesthouse and general accommodation options |
| Glasshampton Monastery | Glasshampton, Worcester | Anglican Franciscan; quiet retreats with meals in silence |
| Shallowford House | Stone, Staffordshire | Anglican diocesan retreat community; enquire about current bookings |
Scotland
9 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Whitchester Christian Centre | Scottish Borders | Residential retreats, individual stays and quiet days |
| The Bield at Blackruthven | Near Perth | Christian day visits, residential stays and guided or creative retreats |
| Cnoc a' Chalmain — Catholic House of Prayer | Isle of Iona, Argyll | Catholic house of prayer; single and twin accommodation for pilgrims; enquire for dates |
| The Coach House, Kilmuir | Kilmuir, near Inverness | Group hire with organisers providing programme and catering; self-catering pod; confirm current arrangements |
| Craig Lodge | Dalmally, Argyll | Catholic house of prayer with retreats, visits and residential events |
| Edinburgh Jesuit Church | Edinburgh | Retreats in daily life with prayer-guide meetings; not residential accommodation; confirm next dates |
| Ignatian Spirituality Centre | Glasgow and online | Day events, online retreats, spiritual accompaniment and retreats in daily life |
| Pluscarden Abbey | Near Elgin, Moray | Catholic Benedictine guest stays; two-night minimum; guest-house catering differs |
| St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull | Perth | Redemptorist residential retreats and private stays; two-night minimum |
Wales
7 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Llangasty Retreat House | Llangasty, Powys | Anglican foundation; residential retreats and quiet days |
| Llannerchwen | Near Brecon, Powys | Catholic Sacred Heart community; self-catered single-occupancy hermitages |
| Noddfa Spirituality Centre | Penmaenmawr, Conwy | Catholic; individual and group day and residential retreats |
| St Beuno’s | Tremeirchion, Denbighshire | Jesuit Ignatian; introductory and individually guided silent retreats |
| St Non’s Retreat Centre | St Davids, Pembrokeshire | Catholic; residential retreats near the Pembrokeshire coast |
| Tymawr Convent/Community | Lydart, Monmouthshire | Anglican contemplative community; retreat stays by arrangement; temporary guest accommodation during access works; confirm arrangements |
| Ffald y Brenin | Pontfaen, Pembrokeshire | Christian personal retreats; self-catering stays and day visits |
Northern Ireland
2 options · confirm your preferred dates directly
| Centre or organisation | Location | Visit format |
|---|---|---|
| Dromantine Retreat and Conference Centre | Near Newry, County Down | Residential retreats, conferences and group events |
| Drumalis Retreat and Conference Centre | Larne, County Antrim | Retreats and programmes; accommodation linked to an event, programme or group booking |
We removed outdated accommodation entries where current closure or relocation information was available, including Downside’s former guest house, Bishop Woodford House, Sacrista Prebend and Nicholaston House. We corrected relocated communities and labelled day-only and daily-life options. Where a current guest offering could not be verified, we left it out of this directory rather than assume it was still bookable.
Plan your budget
How much does a Christian retreat cost?
There is no single UK rate. A quiet day, a catered residential programme and a donation-supported monastery stay have different costs. These are dated examples checked on 24 October 2026, rather than quotes for your booking.
| Example | Published cost | What to know | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minsteracres quiet day 29 October 2026 | £45 suggested offering | Includes lunch and refreshments. This is the specified event’s offering. | 2026 programme ↗ |
| The Bield silent retreat 3–6 November 2026 | £375 | Four days including three nights. Check the event’s full inclusions and remaining places. | Current programme ↗ |
| The Bield silent retreat day 9 December 2026 | £70 | A specific quiet-day example; other days can have different prices. | Current programme ↗ |
| Whalley Abbey 2026 religious-retreat tariff | £128 for 24 hours | Full-board religious-retreat rate in the 2026 price list. Request a quote for your dates and booking type. | 2026 price list (PDF) ↗ |
| Pluscarden Abbey Monastic guest stay | No fixed charge; donations welcome | Two-night minimum. Accommodation and meal arrangements differ between guest houses. | Guest information ↗ |
Prices and suggested offerings can change. Check meals, room type, accompaniment, travel, deposits and cancellation terms. If cost is a barrier, ask about concessions or bursaries; Scargill, for example, advertises financial support.
Before you book.
- Match the programme to your experience. Ask whether newcomers are welcome and whether the retreat is silent, guided, preached or self-directed. A long silent retreat can feel very different from a weekend with shared activities.
- Confirm the daily rhythm. Find out which services or sessions guests are expected to attend, when silence applies and whether you can arrange a conversation with a guide.
- Check the room and meals. Ask about single or shared bedrooms, bathrooms, catering, dietary requirements and any self-catering arrangements. Do not assume a monastery stay is a conventional hotel booking.
- Discuss access in detail. Ask about steps, lifts, bathroom layout, distances between buildings and the surface of paths. Historic buildings and hillside sites vary; a general welcome does not confirm a particular room is suitable.
- Plan the journey. Check public transport and arrival times before reserving travel. For Holy Island, use the official safe causeway crossing times; for island stays, confirm ferry connections.
- Read the payment and cancellation terms. Confirm the total price, deposit, refund conditions and anything excluded. Book and pay the centre directly through its current official route.
Bring suitable walking clothes if you want to explore, any reading or journal you would find useful, and the practical items the house recommends. You do not need to make every quiet moment productive; allow some unstructured time.
Questions people ask.
Do I have to be a Christian to go on a retreat?
Many centres welcome people from different faith backgrounds and those exploring belief. Others have more specific programmes or guest arrangements. Read the centre’s welcome statement and ask about worship and participation before booking. Pluscarden and Drumalis, for example, explicitly describe a broad welcome, while retaining their own Christian traditions.
Can I go alone?
Many houses accept individual guests, and some offer introductory or individually guided retreats. Other properties are mainly group venues or only offer accommodation with a programme. Ask about single rooms, communal meals and the level of contact with other guests.
Are all Christian retreats silent?
No. Some are mainly silent, while others include conversation, teaching, creativity or family activities. A preached retreat may still be silent outside talks. Check the event description rather than infer the atmosphere from the centre’s name.
Can I stay at a monastery in the UK?
Some monasteries offer guest accommodation, subject to their own rules, dates and capacity. Rooms, meals, minimum stays and accommodation for men and women can differ. Pluscarden has separate arrangements for its guest houses. Buckfast’s monastery retreat quarters are for men, with other facilities requiring a separate enquiry. Confirm the appropriate option directly.
Are there free or low-cost Christian retreats?
Some communities use donations rather than fixed charges; others offer lower-cost quiet days, concessions or bursaries. Pluscarden states that no charge is made and donations are welcome. These are forms of hospitality with specific arrangements, so ask what is included and what contribution is appropriate.
How long should my first retreat be?
A quiet day or introductory weekend is a manageable way to discover whether the setting and rhythm suit you. For longer guided or silent retreats, discuss preparation and previous experience with the centre. Check minimum stays before planning a one-night visit.
Can I arrange spiritual direction?
Many guided retreats include individual accompaniment, while private stays may require a separate arrangement. Ask who provides it, how often you meet and whether it is included in the fee. A quiet room or monastery guest booking does not automatically include a spiritual director.
Are retreat centres accessible?
Facilities differ. Some advertise accessible bedrooms and lifts, while others have stairs, shared bathrooms or uneven grounds. Discuss your particular needs with the host and request details of the actual bedroom and route you would use before paying.
Sources and review notes.
Reviewed on 24 October 2026 using official centre, religious-community and church-owner information. Featured profiles and directory entries link to providers, owning bodies or specialist directories; price examples link to their published sources. Photographs are credited below each image, with older site photographs labelled as archive images.
This update corrects outdated locations and guest formats as well as links. Closure information was checked against the relevant operators, including Downside Abbey, Southwell Minster and Swansea City Mission and Educational Trust. Inclusion does not establish current availability or an independent quality or accessibility assessment.
For an omission or correction, use our contact form. Providers can change programmes, ownership, prices or guest arrangements; confirm important details before travelling.
Make room for a pause
Start with a day.
See where it takes you.
You do not have to choose the longest or most remote retreat. Begin with a place whose welcome, programme and practical arrangements fit what you need now.
Explore the regional directoryKeep exploring
About Rob Horsfall
Rob has been interested in spirituality since visiting India in 2002. After completing his philosophy studies at university, he continued studying the Buddha's teachings in Sri Lanka. He returned in 2011 and now spends his time developing Review My Retreat, studying acupuncture and integrating insights from different spiritual traditions into everyday life.
Looking for a retreat at Nicholaston House Hotel, Penmaen, Gower.
Debra Oppel
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I AM LOOKING FOR A RETREAT CENTRE FOR A WEEK ASAP IN ANY LOCATION. I WOULD NEED A SINGLE ENSUITE ROOM AND SELF-CATERING WOULD BE A HELP. WHAT ARE YOUR CHARGES? I AM AN OAP. MANY THANKS. TEL. 07707 623 101