Spiritual retreat in the UK – Free Guide

Spiritual retreat in the UK is an easy and cost effective way to

recharge, relax – and find deeper meaning in life.

Come back from a spiritual retreat in the UK,

calmer, wiser – and with profound insights.

Don’t dig a big hole in your pocket: many UK retreats are low cost!

Spiritual Retreat in the UK for HSPs

During 20 years of city living, I loved doing a spiritual retreat in the UK.

If you are a highly sensitive empath who is feeling disconnected, reconnecting with yourself can be very healing.

A Gallup Global Emotions survey has recorded “peak unhappiness levels” worldwide in 2022!

The main causes are

(1) poverty

(2) weak social connections and communities

(3) hunger

(4) loneliness and

(5) lack of good work.

Some people feel feel uncomfortable being alone.

Nevertheless, a spiritual retreat in the UK can be healing for loneliness + sadness.

A solo spiritual retreat is a way to make friends with yourself again, and get your sparkle back.

For an adventurous spiritual retreat in the UK, you don’t even need to go to a retreat ‘centre’.

Organise your own DIY mini-retreat instead!

My free guide below includes some superb places of peace and power for independent free spirits!

… and I’ve included details on how to get there by car, bus or train!

Grab Your Spiritual Retreat UK Guide

As well as the list below – you can have a Plan Your Own UK Spiritual Retreat on a Budget guide (PDF) – FREE!

This booklet has 10 extra ideas for low cost UK spiritual retreats, for the solo traveller on a budget.

It includes travel information for those who don’t have a car, as well as links.

Get instant access!

UK spiritual retreat: how + why?

You don’t need to go to India or Thailand for a deep spiritual retreat.

You can easily plan a spiritual retreat in your home country AND help the environment by not flying.

There’s loads of low cost options, too (– see my free guide for the UK!).

A ‘home-country’ retreat is mega-effective an antidote to fast-paced living as going to the other side of the world.

As well as being environmentally conscious + taking into account the threat of climate change, an ‘at home’ or ‘home country’ retreat is jet-lag free, spontaneous and less costly.

When you plan your spiritual retreat in the UK it means taking time away from your ordinary life and situation.

When you go on a spiritual retreat, it is much better to go alone. If you bring an important part of your life with you then its not really a ‘retreat’. More of a holiday.

When you go alone, a spiritual retreat in the UK offers the tranquility in which to ponder, reflect and connect with your inner life.

A spiritual retreat is a special time to give yourself some peace and calm. You might be stepping away from a hectic lifestyle, stress and strain.

You may need to take a break away from the responsibilities: of children, pets, work or caring for someone.

Perhaps you are escaping from a bad emotional situation in order to start the healing process.

You may simply want some quiet and introspection for a day or two.

No gossip. No grumbling. No meetings. No decisions. No interference. No push notifications. No ‘to do’ list.

Spiritual retreat in the UK – what happens?

As The Good Retreat Guide expertly explains:

“…You are faced with you alone. At long last! You begin then to slip into a slower physical, mental and emotional gear and start to think differently. Your body gears down. Your mind drifts from thought to thought. Slowly deep feelings arise.

“Some may be good. Some may be bad. All of them are from within your interior world. All of them belong to you. What you do with them is up to you and a retreat is one of the best places to start to deal with what these feelings mean to your life.

“In such moments your retreat truly begins for this new consciousness starts a meditation about yourself that is the giving of undivided attention to your spirit. Some say that it is opening the door to God.”

Spiritual retreats – 10 of the best!

Spiritual Retreat in the UK: Brahma Kumaris

Spiritual World University. Website: www.globalretreatcentre.org

Their UK spiritual retreat centre Nuneham Park near Oxford enables guests to step away from the frantic pace of modern living.

Here you can rediscover inner peace and power; restore balance / focus through solitude and silence, or study spiritual values.

Brahma Kumaris offers one day or residential spiritual retreats in the UK.

The University charges no fees for any of its activities, though voluntary contributions are welcome!

Spiritual Retreat in the UK:
Society of St Francis St Mary at The Cross

Six retreat centres in the UK, including Southwark, London (see map left). Tel: 01299 896345. Website: http://www.franciscans.org.uk/hospitality.

Ideal for a private spiritual retreat in the UK, their Franciscan monastery at Glasshampton, near Shrawley in Worcestershire, offers solitude and spiritual direction too, if required.

All people welcome. No charge but donations suggested.

Need to rest and recharge but can’t get away on a spiritual retreat in the UK right now?

If you are a highly sensitive empath or introvert, check out my self-care guide: Self-Care for Sensitives.

It covers how to look after your energy and nurture yourself at home.

UK Spiritual Retreat: The Barn Rural Retreat Centre

Totnes, Devon, UK. Tel: 01803 732661
Web: http://www.sharphamtrust.org/The-Barn-Retreat

Non-denominational Buddhist spiritual retreat centre in the UK that promotes wellbeing and sustainable living on community, guided or solitary spiritual retreats.

Visitors are expected to be part of the community during their stay. They do gardening and cooking in ‘mindful work’ periods. Meditation instruction is given.

This spiritual retreat is from £190 per week, at time of writing.

The Sharpham Trust has recently launched Sharpham House in Devon and was Number 1 in the best mind & body UK retreats by the Daily Telegraph.

UK Spiritual Retreat: Othona Community

East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex Tel: 01621 776564.
Web: www.othonaessex.org.uk.

The Othona Community offers a place where different cultures and faiths discover how to live and work together.

The purpose-built spiritual retreat centre in the UK is close to a nature reserve and has the use of the seventh-century chapel of St Ceed.

Residential spiritual retreat prices from £43.00 per day (adult) at time of writing.

Christian UK Spiritual Retreats by The Retreat Association

Website: http://www.retreats.org.uk.

This is a Christian association based in the UK aiming to “help people find ways of exploring and deepening their journey with God through spirituality and prayer.”

They hold quiet days in various retreat centres in the UK.

They also help with finding a spiritual retreat in the UK, offer advice on finding a ‘spiritual director’ and provide resources for your spiritual journey. Costs vary.

Spiritual Retreat in the UK: Lower Shaw Farm

Wiltshire, UK. Website: www.lowershawfarm.co.uk

An environmentally friendly farm that is part of the informal Eco-Psychology Network – people who are passionate about making a collective shift towards living sustainably.

Though not technically a spiritual retreat in the UK, working weekends (WWOOFing) are available at low cost for those who appreciate the healing power of nature and communal living.

This retreat in the UK has organic vegetable, herb, and flower gardens, many native shrubs and trees, living willow structures, ponds, hens, ducks, sheep, an outdoor cooking area with clay oven.

Accommodation includes chalets, caravans and farmhouse rooms.

Spiritual Retreat in the UK: Diggers + Dreamers

UK wide. Website: www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk

If you are able to make a longer term commitment and are happy to get involved with community life, you might be able to volunteer with a spiritual community.

Though this is not a solitary spiritual retreat, it can offer a solution to people who want to get away and experience themselves in a new setting close to nature.

The Noticeboard section of Diggers and Dreamers advertising volunteering positions, such as Othona West Dorset, Pendragon Community Glastonbury and The Abbey Retreat Centre in Oxford.

Some requirements include: a desire to live in community, mature outlook, self awareness, sensitivity to others, flexibility and adaptability, enjoyment of working in a team, being on a spiritual journey, possessing good health and an open-mind.

Spiritual Retreat: Taraloka Buddhist Retreat Centre

Shropshire, UK. Website: http://www.taraloka.org.uk/.

Spiritual retreat centre for women. Spiritual retreats range from introductory weekends through to two week intensive spiritual retreats. 

They run on a ‘Dana’ basis (no set fees), as they want all women to be able to go on a spiritual retreat in the UK and learn about meditation and Buddhism, regardless of their financial situation.

Donations are welcomed, starting at £50 for a weekend and £70 for a longer retreat.

Spiritual Retreat: Anam Cara Retreat Centre

Inverness, Scotland. Website: www.anamcara.org

Anam Cara spiritual centre is set in the beautiful wilderness of the highlands. It has been developed as a way of life as opposed to a business. It’s name is a symbol for the ‘circle of belonging’.

The centre’s activities and trainings promote inner friendship and embrace nature, divinity, spirit and human world as one entity. It offers working retreats from as little as £50.00 (at time of writing).

Concession rates (20% discount) on other trainings are available for unemployed and low waged. Please enquire.

UK Spiritual Retreat: Land of Joy

Greenhaugh, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 1PP. Website: Landofjoy.co.uk

Land of Joy Buddhist Retreat Centre was founded under the spiritual guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2010.

It delivers programmes, workshops and volunteering opportunities in a stunning, quiet and peaceful Northumberland National Park.

It operates by donation only.

UK Spiritual Retreat: Findhorn Foundation

The Park, nr Forres, Scotland. Website: www.findhorn.org

The Park is a magical spiritual community set in a magical landscape. And magical things happen here.

The surrounding nature is like Tove Janssen’s Moomin-land.

Regular retreats available, such as Detox and De-Clutter Your Life – A Raw Food Diet Retreat.

However, this place ain’t cheap.

Therefore, if cost is an issue, I suggest staying at nearby in Forres, then dropping into Findhorn as a day guest for specific events and meal times.

This article is copyright Amy Garner © 2o15-2022. See my Copyright Notice and Disclaimer here.

Free Low Cost UK Spiritual Places Guide

Pick up a free guide to 10 places of spiritual peace + power for the solo female traveller!

Plan Your Spiritual Retreat with this Book

See the best mind & body UK retreats by the Daily Telegraph. The Good Retreat Guide by Stafford Whiteaker (published by Hay House, £9.79). It is an full paperback guide to the best spiritual retreats in the UK – and worldwide.

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