Escape from the run up to Christmas craziness! Join us to craft, chat and learn from one another in a friendly environment. Bring old projects to finish and try new ones with friends, drink lots of tea and laugh a lot! If you would like to arrive on Tuesday 26th November to relax before you start […]
Welcome to the Association for Promoting Retreats!
Are you looking for somewhere to go on retreat?
We can help!
On the interactive map above you will find all the APR member retreat houses, with contact details and a link to their website; we also have member houses in Ireland and South Africa. We support the work of several retreat leaders across the UK, many of whom can offer you an online retreat.
Promoting Christian Spirituality Through Retreats
The Association for Promoting Retreats exists to encourage more people to go on retreat and to support the ministry of our member retreat houses and retreat leaders. We also organise a biannual conference for Church of England diocesan spirituality advisers, and administer a bursary fund to enable individuals to go on retreat when cost is an obstacle.
Retreat Calendar
35 events found.
Calendar of Events
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8 events,
You wake in my heart - an Advent retreat with Christopher Chapman 30th November 2025 - 2nd December 2025 You wake in my heart An Advent retreat on letting go to God with Christopher Chapman. The season of Advent invites us to make room for God. As God awakes within, we begin to wake into […] Space to Rest Leader: Ruth Traynar A week set aside for rest and spending time with God. Book in for the whole week or just a couple of nights. Ruth will host a short prompt morning and evening with time to chat around the fire after supper. An ideal time for anyone wanting to be with […] December 1st, 2025 - 4th, 2025 Fr. Vincent Sherlock PP – “Listen!” Silent Retreat In a world filled with noise and distraction we strive to listen, to hear and respond to God’s voice. In these days, we will hear again some of those passages from scripture, liturgy, story, poem and song, that invite us to […] Crafting retreat Anne Newport Crafty ways to slow you down and sustain your spiritual life
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Monday 1st December @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Advent Quiet Day: By Way of Holiness This Advent Quiet Day will be led by John Rackley, one of our regular retreat leaders and a member of the Abbey's College of Chaplains. This day offers a gentle pause before the demands of the pre-Christmas season are upon us.
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Day of Prayer for Mission Do you have a heart for the nations or do you know mission workers who need prayer support? Come and join us for a day of prayer for the worldwide mission community. No charge but donations towards a light lunch would be appreciated. Residential option is not available Non-residential option […]
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An opportunity to pause for prayer and personal reflection – Come for all or part of the day. Bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea provided. No charge, but donations welcome. 10am – 4pm with Eucharist at 12 noon. |
5 events,
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Vessel Making and Meditating - These retreats combine guided meditation with vessel making to explore our own identity as Gods created. Participants will be introduced to a different meditation and vessel making process on each day; Paper, clay, felt and fabric. Cost £65 To Book email info@bieldatblackruthven.org.uk
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
5 events,
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The Art and Music of Christmas 4th December Thursday 10am - 3pm The Art and Music of Christmas. Shepherds trudging through snow, the baby Jesus glowing and golden in the manger… how the... |
6 events,
A three-day deep dive, weaving in the seasonal timing, and reflecting on the mystical concept of ‘Christmas as the birth of truth’ – and exploring what this means as a living, powerful transformational practice. Weaving poetry and process, informed by decades of family constellations and pychospiritual psychology, Barbara Morgan and Angus Ayaz Landman will facilitat Advent Retreat: Awakening hope Led by the House of Prayer Team The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom. (Isaiah 35: 1) As we approach Christmas, this residential retreat will offer a silent and creative space to pray and reflect as we wait in joyful hope and […] Would you like a weekend of warm fellowship, creativity and inspiration as the Christmas season approaches? Come to Kilmalieu and join well known quilter, textile artist and author, Gail Lawther. Gail will teach and support you in creating your own choice of stunning Christmas-themed projects from a selection she’ll offer beforehand. In addition to the […] Join the Franciscan Centre Team for an Advent retreat, in preparation for the incarnation when God chose, out of deep love to become human and live and walk among us in order to draw closer to us and for us to come to know Him personally. In these days, listen to input, pray together, take […] |
8 events,
Wydale in the Roaring 20s Enjoy a fun overnight at Wydale as we celebrate the Hall inthe 1920s. Dress up, eat in style and roar the night away! Led by: The Wydale Community Cost: £114.00 including food and accommodation Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […]
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Quiet Day - Paper Angels - led by Hilary Murphy During this craft day, we will be looking at angels in art and the Bible and making book art by folding angels out of the pages.
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‘The Ceaseless Birth of Christ Within: Silence and Spiritual Motherhood’ Advent retreat Sat 6 Dec, 10-5, Online (Zoom) An Advent retreat at Prinknash Abbey exploring Johannes Tauler’s teaching on the ceaseless birth of Christ within — through silence, stillness, and spiritual motherhood. |
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9 events,
Painting the Story of Mary Leader: Carol Morgan We will dwell in the story of Mary, mother of Jesus using drawings and watercolour to describe and listen more deeply to the events that mean the most to us. No artistic skill required, it is about encountering the story and allowing it to become prayer. Residential price: £490.00 […] Icon Painting Retreat Join experienced Iconographer, Peter Murphy for a week learning the medieval gilding and painting techniques to create stunning icon paintings. £910 Dr. Grainne Doherty – Called to follow the star: Living the Advent Journey Silent Retreat Like the Magi setting out on their quest of following the star over 2,000 years ago, we too are invited to enter into our own journey of exploring the direction and call of our lives today. Though input and gentle […]
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We are delighted to invite you to our Urban Oasis for our Open Reflective Days in 2024. These are our most popular retreats allowing you to have a personal quiet day to reflect and recharge away from the distractions of everyday life. You may use this day as time to pray, do some life admin or maybe to finish that project […]
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9:45 am – 3:30 pm These are led by Rev Evelyn Bone and she leads us through a gentle day of devotion, quiet time and worship. There is the opportunity to meet one to one and engage in a few prayerful activities. The cost is £26 which includes lunch and refreshments. The day runs from 9.45am to […]
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Come and help out in the 5-acre garden or around the house! |
8 events,
The 'I Am' Sayings In this retreat, we will pray with and through the I am statements of Jesus in John’s gospel. Using the textile art of Jane Allen we will engage with each of the I am statements of Jesus in turn. This retreat will be led by Chris and Rhona Knight.
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Seasonal Quiet Garden Days - meditation and reflective time, learning from and enjoying the garden with some practical activity too. Cost £65 To Book email info@bieldatblackruthven.org.uk
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9 December - 'Reflections' led by Revd. Barry Preece Oasis days offer quiet reflection for people who need a day to re-charge their spiritual batteries and enjoy the stimulation of an excellent speaker. Please email janefranklinretreats@gmail.com if you would like to join. |
7 events,
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Franciscan Approaches to the Nativity course Although not the first to physically recreate the Christmas crib, Francis of Assisi’s performance of the Nativity at Greccio in 1223 is one of the most famous episodes in the saint’s life and greatly influences our tradition of recreating the manger scene. Francis of Assisi is often said to […]
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […]
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(ONLINE) The Healing of Legion | (Mark 5: 1-20) In Mark’s Gospel emerges an incredible text. It’s a glimpse of a possessed man isolated, harming himself, violent, and living among the haunting landscape of tombs; the Greek word for ‘tomb’ can also mean ‘memory’. Modern understandings of this character called ‘Legion’ would probably see him as […] |
7 events,
12th-14th Dec: The Holland House Icon of the Visitation led by Yvonne Bell, Mary Flitcroft and Helen Stanton A weekend led by Yvonne Bell, Mary Flitcroft and Helen Stanton. Arrivals from 4pm on Friday until 2pm on Sunday. Includes all meals, refreshments and accommodation Please note that Holland House does not provide a choice menu […] December 12th, 2025 - 14th, 2025 Calming for Christmas – A soothing time for all. (6 hours CPD for attendance) Retreat Connecting with our own heart and the hearts of others to reduce isolation in challenging times. A time of mindful guided reflection and nurturing self-care based on current neuroscience and psycho-spirituality. (This is a […]
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Quiet Morning: Come near and listen Led by Kerryn Penson An invitation to step aside from the pre-Christmas rush and spend some time reflecting on the wonder and mystery of God’s coming amongst us. Starts at 10am and finishes at 1pm. |
6 events,
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […] Day of Reflection The Franciscan Centre Ashstead Lane, Godalming, United Kingdom Come away and rest awhile on a Day of Reflection at the Franciscan Centre Ladywell! Our next gatherings will be held on the 2nd Saturday and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9.30am to 4.00pm.
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The Birth of Christ in the Heart: One-day Advent Retreat in London Cockfosters Centre for Spirituality (Sat 13 Dec from 10-5) Awaken to the birth of Christ within. A day of silence, reflection, and shared practice inspired by Meister Eckhart’s Christmas sermon. |
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2 events,
Advent week retreat Quiet Waters team 3pm on 15th to 10.15am on 19th £TBC £45 day rate(includes two-course lunch + refreshments) In main house
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Come and help out in the 5-acre garden or around the house! |
2 events,
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
1 event,
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […] |
0 events,
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1 event,
Join our Friary Family where we await the birth of the Christ Child. Our celebrations begin on Christmas Eve as we come together to decorate the Friary and celebrate the birth of Jesus. |
6 events,
Community Christmas Tue 23 Dec — Sat 27 Dec 2025 Come and enjoy Christmas in the community Christmas in Community Tue 23 Dec — Sat 27 Dec 2025 All ages gather for a Christmas with less 'stuff' but more heart Day of Reflection The Franciscan Centre Ashstead Lane, Godalming, United Kingdom Come away and rest awhile on a Day of Reflection at the Franciscan Centre Ladywell! Our next gatherings will be held on the 2nd Saturday and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9.30am to 4.00pm. |
8 events,
Christmas at Wydale Come and join us for the Christmas break - a proper family Christmas. Led by: The Wydale Community Cost: £310.00 including all food and accommodation Christmas with the Community of the Sisters of the Church Join us for all or part of the time. December 24 - 27
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
8 events,
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We are pleased to be associated with the Quiet Garden Movement which: nurtures access to outdoor space for prayer, reflection and rest in a variety of settings, such as private homes, churches, schools and hospitals, and creates opportunities for people to experience silence, restfulness and contemplative practices… Find out more Our garden is usually open […] |
8 events,
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […] |
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2 events,
New Year in Community Mon 29 Dec — Fri 2 Jan 2026 An all-age houseparty with special ways to welcome a new year |
5 events,
New Year Celebration Tue 30 Dec — Fri 2 Jan 2026 Bring in the New Year at the Othona Community Tue 30 December - Fri 2 January New Year Getaway Join the team at Penhurst to reflect on the past year and welcome in the new. This retreat will be largely unstructured but there will be prayer times with spiritual input each day, fellowship, fun, delicious home cooked food and the chance to celebrate […] |
7 events,
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Taster Day - Pathways to Prayer - Year of Contemplation 2026 Pathways to Prayer starts our Year of Contemplation 2026 with a carousel of workshops which focus on seeking God through different ways of praying, rising from our rich Christian tradition.
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Heartfulness Meditation Every Wednesday 07:15pm to 08:00pm We’re delighted to host a weekly Heartfulness Meditation session in our beautiful Library. These sessions are always free of charge and you can also continue at home with support. Available now in 160 countries worldwide supported by volunteers. Heartfulness meditation is based on ancient Raj Yoga but simplified for […] |
6 events,
New Year's Retreat Led by Revds Sue Hammersley and Sibylle Batten and the Holy Rood Team View leaflet |
4 events,
Meditation in the Christian tradition is an ancient and simple way of prayer. Our purpose is to teach meditation as a simple path to peace, community and oneness. Our vision is to help people establish peace in themselves and become places of peace in the world. Each session includes a short talk, a period of […] |
At the APR we aim to:
- promote the value of retreats and the work of retreat houses and retreat leaders
- support the provision of opportunities for quiet and reflection within the context of everyday life
- encourage training in retreat leadership and spiritual direction
- facilitate renewal and growth in spirituality
- enable the exploration of different expressions of Christian spirituality
As a membership organisation, we rely on subscriptions and donations to enable our work. If you are not already a member, please do consider joining APR, or you can make a one-off donation by clicking the ‘Donate’ button at the bottom of the page.
Announcements
Bookings are now open for the 2026 APR Spring Retreat at Sheldon Retreat Centre, with Helen Evans and Demelza Henderson. Click here to find out more or book your place.
Cycling Fundraiser: In 2026, APR Administrator, Demelza Henderson, will be cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of the APR Bursary Fund. To find out more, or sponsor her, please click here.
Click these links to read our latest e-newsletter, our 2025 Autumn Newsletter or the Minutes from our AGM in October.
Searching for Retreats
If you are looking for an Individually Guided Retreat (IGR) or Quiet Day, simply type ‘IGR’ or ‘Quiet Day’ into the search function on our online calendar – there are dozens of both listed throughout the year! Or search by name for the place you would like to visit…
This week we are praying for...
Each week we pray for one of our member retreat houses or leaders. This week we are praying for Suzette Jones (Chaplain), and for all who live, work or seek refreshment at St Columba’s House in Woking.
Are you looking for a new challenge?
There are vacancies for staff at the following APR Member Retreat Houses:
Volunteer Coordinator at the Greenhouse at Barnes Close
Volunteer Assistant manager at Hummingbird retreat, Granada
Warden at St Chad’s House, Leek
Pastoral Worker at the Bield at Blackruthven
Part-time Chaplain at Launde Abbey
Cook/Kitchen lead at The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay
Housekeeper at the Bield at Blackruthven
Core Member at the Othona Community (West Dorset)
General Assistant at Shepherds Dene
Administrator at the Sheldon Community
Catering Manager at Holy Rood House
Community member at the Sheldon Community
Membership
Please consider joining APR, and help us support retreat houses and extend the benefit of retreats to more people. See the membership page for more information.
Bursaries
Our Bursary Scheme is there to help our retreat house members enable more people to benefit from retreats, especially where cost might be an obstacle. See the Bursary page for details.
Resources
We regularly post articles and information on topics related to retreats, prayer, and Christian spirituality. We hope you will find something of interest; see the Resources Pages here.
Support the work of APR
As a membership organisation, we rely on subscriptions to enable our work. If you are not already a member, please do consider joining APR, so that we can do even more to promote retreats.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider Gift Aiding your donation. We are able to claim an additional 25% from HMRC on top of your donation, at no extra cost to you. All you need do is complete our online Gift Aid declaration form and we’ll take care of the rest.
How to Donate
If you would like to make a donation to support the work of APR, or specifically to the Bursary Fund, you can do so by means of the online donation button below.