Celebrating stillness: Six retreats open in 2022

Celebrating stillness Six retreats to salve the soul in 2022

Space, tranquility, silence – are they becoming harder to find? Increasingly popular, Christian retreats have long offered breaks from daily pressures, giving visitors an opportunity for contemplation and reconnection in spiritually rich places. More so, joining with a religious community and their daily routine can help restore and recharge our faith through sharing it in fellowship. Given the pressures and ‘always on’ aspect of life it is no surprise that retreats are becoming more mainstream. Once a rescue for burnt-out clergy, time in quietude is seen as beneficial for everyone. Now that many retreat centres have reopened to visitors, what better time to plan where to seek stillness in 2022?

Othona,

West Dorset From £55

othonawestdorset.org.uk

Ashburnham Place,

East Sussex

Space for relaxation and spiritual recentring is plentiful at Ashburnham Place, with numerous individual prayer rooms, a scented prayer garden and lakeside accommodation The prayer centre is based in the remnants of a stately home built for the Ashburnham family, nowadays just the stable blocks are enough to give retreat visitors peace and space from daily life.

From £55

ashburnham.org.uk

The Othona Community stands on the south Dorset Coast, overlooking the sea and surrounded by woodlands. The community was founded in 1946 to focus on peacebuilding, and now welcomes guests to join its daily rhythms in the founding ethos of “work, worship, study, and play”. The community recently opened a multi-purpose art studio in the grounds, lending itself to various all-age activities, from art and dance to environmental study.

St Beunos Jesuit Centre,

Denbighshire

Offering guided retreats in a Jesuit Spiritual Centre, St Beuno’s looks over an area of outstanding natural beauty in rural North Wales. Visitors follow spiritual exercises in the Ignation tradition, discerning God’s will through detachment. Other themed retreats range from art to poetry and prayer, with a programme of guided retreats through the year.

From £90

pathwaystogod.org

Glasshampton Friary

Part of the Society of Saint Francis, the small community at Glasshampton in Worcestershire welcome visitors to their monastery, which provides a comfortable place to stay on retreat, or a few days ‘away from it all’, somewhere to study, pray and spend time with God. The brothers welcome up to five guests, who join them at meals which are taken in silence.

With gardens and woodlands surrounding the monastery, visitors can walk among nature as St Francis of Assisi was known for.

£45 donation

franciscans.org.uk/hospitality

Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre,

County Down

A site of ancient spirituality with its ‘holy well’, the Passionist house at Tobar Mhuire welcomes those in need of spiritual direction to rural County Down, close to Strangford Lough. The house is a centre of peace and reconciliation, engaged in youth work across community divides in Belfast. The gardens and library are open to visitors who are welcome to join morning and Sunday masses.

£35

tobarmhuire.com

Iona Pods,

Isle of Iona

Perhaps Iona is the ‘thin-place’ which first defined retreat – pilgrims have been coming to strengthen their spirituality here since AD 563. St Columba’s abbey is the draw for visitors, and it has recently reopened after £3million restoration. The Isle of Iona has plentiful accommodation for its pilgrims, and cosy glamping pods are now available just a minute’s stroll away at Iona Pods, boasting views over the Sound of Mull.

£150 (2-night min)

ionapods.com