
This listing of retreat facilities will help you find a place of solitude to spend quiet time in reflection. Places offering only communal meals are included, and noted as such, for consideration of those doing fasting retreats. Places with shared kitchen facilities are included and noted as such. Facilities requiring previous instruction, active guidance or a particular belief-system are not included.
Many facilities require reservations, sometimes months ahead due to popularity. (For a last minute budget alternative, try an inexpensive motel room with kitchenette, especially during an area's off-season.) The majority are run by religious organizations but welcome all guests. Also, many either operate on a suggested-donation basis or reduce charges for those unable to pay the full amount. Costs under $40/night or the equivalent are noted as "economical." Stays of a week or longer are sometimes discounted. Note: click on the facility's site link for additional information.
Wondering how can you make the best use of time while in solitude? Check the TAT Forum articles on solitary retreats titled Isolation by Shawn Nevins and Solitary Spiritual Retreat by Bob Fergeson.
Please with recommendations on locations that aren't listed, or to share your experiences with a facility, or for other communications.
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Retreat Facilities - Australia:
Map of Australia
| State/Territory | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Galong, NSW 2585 | St. Clement's Retreat Centre | Hermitage for solitary retreats. | or phone 02 63 86 7214 |
| New South Wales | Varroville, NSW 2566 | Mt. Carmel Retreat Centre | Two hermitages for solitary retreats. | or phone (02) 9603-1433 |
| New South Wales | Wisemans Ferry, 2775 | Wat Buddha Dhamma | Small, scattered huts (kutis) for solitary retreats. | Phone +61 (02) 43 233 193 (mornings only). No e-mail. |
Retreat Facilities - Canada:
country index
Map of Canada
| Province | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta (AB) | Cochrane T4C 1A8 | King's Fold | Three hermitages (two for fasting retreats). Economical. | or phone (403) 932 3174 |
| Newfoundland (NL) | Doyles A0N 1J0 | St. Mary's Solitude | Two hermitages for year-round retreats. Economical. | or phone (709) 955-2150 |
| Nova Scotia (NS) | Baddeck BOE IBO | Big Hill Retreat | Cabins for solitary retreats. | or phone (902) 295-2726 |
| Nova Scotia (NS) | Cape Breton B0E 2P0 | Gampo Abbey | Cabins for solitary retreats of 14 days or longer. Shambhala. | or phone (902) 224-2752 |
| Nova Scotia (NS) | Middle River B0E 1B0 | Willow Retreat | Private campsite to stay in peaceful solitude. | or phone (902) 295-9009 |
| Nova Scotia (NS) | Tatamagouche B0K 1V0 | Dorje Denma Ling | Cabins in summer. Communal meals. Shambhala center. | or phone (902) 224-2752 |
| Ontario (ON) | Port Perry L9L 1B4 | Clearpath Retreat Ctr | Cabins and tent facilities. Open July to September. | or phone 905-982-0243. No web site. |
Retreat Facilities - Colombia:
country index
Map of Colombia
| Department | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioquia | Medellin | Abrham Center | Various facilities for solitary retreats including tipi, camping. | or ; phone 574-5381448 or 2626661 |
Retreat Facilities - Great Britain:
country index
Map of Great Britain
| Section | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire, England | Upper Woolhampton RG7 5TQ | Douai Abbey | En-suite rooms for solitary retreats. | or phone +44 118 971 5399 |
| Cambridgeshire, England | St Neots PE19 5TA | St Claret Centre | Self-contained flats for solitary retreats. | or phone +44 (0) 1480 810344 |
| Cornwall, England | Penzance TR19 6HJ | Shell Cottage | Cottage (small house) for solitary retreats. | or phone 01736 810659 |
| County Antrim, Northern Ireland | Larne BT40 1DT | Drumalis | Gate-lodge cottage for solitary retreats. | or phone (028) 28272196 or 28276455 |
| Cumbria, England | Ulverston LA12 0JQ | Swarthmoor Hall | Three self-catering units for solitary retreats. | or phone 01229 583204 |
| Denbighshire, North Wales | Corwen LL21 0EN | Vajraloka | Castell Ty Nant hermitage. | or phone 0 1490 460 406 |
| Devon, England | Exeter EX6 7LE | Sheldon Centre | Chalet for short solitary retreats. | or phone 01647-252752 |
| Essex, England | Chelmsford CM3 1HA | Pleshey Retr. House | Gatehouse for solitary retreats. | or phone 01245 237251 |
| Hereford, England | Hereford HR2 9RZ | Belmont Abbey | Guesthouse (Hedley Lodge) for solitary retreats. | or phone 07799 811 646 |
| Leicestershire, England | East Norton LE7 9XB | Launde Abbey | Hermitage for solitary retreats. | or phone (44) 01572 717254 |
| Llyn Peninsula, North Wales | Bardsey Isl. (Ynys Enlli) | Carreg Trust | Private rooms and a hermitage; very limited dates. | or phone 01758 770582 |
| Northumberland, England | Belford NE70 7EN | Ross Farm Cottages | Cottages for solitary retreats. | or phone +44 (0)1668 213336 |
| Northumberland, England | Belford NE70 7LJ | Swinhoe Farm Houses | Cottages for solitary retreats. | or phone +44 (0)1668 213370 |
| Northumberland, England | Nr. Holy Island. TD15 2PB | Bee Hill | Cottage for solitary retreats. | or phone +44 (0)7884 077729 |
| Northumberland, England | Holy Island and nearby | Holy Island of Lindisfarne | A variety of cottages by various owners. | See individual listings. |
| Northumberland, England | Riding Mill NE46 6AF | Shepherds Dene | Lodge for solitary retreats. | or phone 01434 682212 |
| Powys, Wales LD1 6NU | Llandrindod Wells | Dyffryn Farm | Self-catering cottage for solitary retreats. | or phone 01597-811017 |
| Somerset, England | Radstock BA3 5SW | Ammerdown Centre | Self-catering flat for solitary retreats. | or phone 01761 433709 |
| Somerset, England | S. Petherton TA13 5ES | Community of St. Francis | Hermitage for solitary retreats. Economical. | or phone 01460 240473 |
| Somerset, England | Shipham/Cheddar | WCF Winterhead Hill Farm | Self-catering rooms. Guidance offered. Economical. | or phone +44 (0) 1934 842231 |
| Suffolk, England | Beccles NR34 8JR | Ringsfield Hall | Secluded hermitage. Economical (donation). | or phone 01502 713020 |
| Surrey, England | Croydon, CRO 1ND | Rivendell Retreat Centre | Chalet in secluded part of the grounds. | or phone 0845 459 4015 |
| Wales | Brecon LD3 9PP | Llannerchwen | Individual hermitages or small cottage and bungalow. 8 rooms. | or phone +44 (0) 01874 622 902 |
| Wales | Mid-Wales | WCF Maenllwyd Retreat Centre | Retreat hut and other facilities for solitary retreats. Economical. | or phone +44 (0) 1934 842231 |
| Wales | Pembrokeshire SA65 9UA | Ffald-y-Brenin | Stone-built buildings and camping. "Donation in line with running costs." | or phone +44 (0) 01348 881382 |
| Warwickshire, England | Leamington CV33 9AS | Offa House | Lodge for solitary retreats. | or phone 01926 423309 |
| West Sussex, England | Coolham RH13 8QL | St Cuthman's | Two huts (hermitages) for solitary retreats. Economical. | or phone 01403 741220 |
| West Yorkshire, England | Ilkley LS29 9BW | Briery Centre | Cottage for possible solitary retreats. Economical. | or phone 01943 607 287 |
Retreat Facilities - Ireland:
country index
Map of Ireland
| County | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cork | Ennismore | Ennismore Retreat Center St. Dominic's | Lodge for quiet sabbaticals. | or phone 353 (0)21 4502520 |
| Cork | Union Hall | South Reen Farm | Cottage and tent sites available for solitary retreats. | or phone 353 (0)28 33258 |
| Donegal | Dundrean | St. Anthony's Retreat Centre | Six en-suite hermitages. Meals provided. | ; phone 353 (0)74 9368370 |
| Sligo | Skreen | Holy Hill Hermitage | Hermitages with cooking facilities. | ; phone 353 (0)71 9166021 |
| Wicklow | Glendalough | Glendalough Hermitage | Five cillins (hermitages) for solitary retreats. | ; phone 353 (404) 45777 or (404) 45140 |
Retreat Facilities - Italy:
country index
Map of Italy
| Province | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscany | Pistoia | Apuan Hillside Retreat | Apartment for solitary retreats, adjacent to new Buddhist meditation center. | Use e-mail form on web site; phone +44 783 437-1393 |
Retreat Facilities - Mexico:
country index
Map of Mexico
| Area | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baja California | Todos Santos, BCS | La Tierra Sagrada | CabaƱas, tepees, camping. | or phone 011-52-612-108-4189 |
Retreat Facilities - New Zealand:
country index
Map of New Zealand
| Area | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Island | Marlborough | Maitreya Meditation Centre | Cottage, caravan, flat; economical camp sites. | or phone +63 3 574 1234 |
Retreat Facilities - Portugal:
country index
Map of Portugal
| District | Locale | Facility | Comments | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coimbra | Benfeita 3305-031 | Awakened Life Project | Mongolian Yurt for solitary retreats. | or phone 351 966333187 |
The Order of Saint Benedict maintains a list of Benedictine Retreat Centers. Visit their Directory of Retreat Centers.
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