Retreats Worldwide

Solitary Spiritual Retreat Centers
Worldwide

The TAT Foundation guide to hermitages, cabins,
and other places for spiritual reflection

The non-profit TAT Foundation is all about helping spiritual seekers find their Way, through this web site, offering the free monthly Forum newsletter, publishing spiritual books and videos, and holding spiritual events each year.

On this page you’ll find information about retreat sites and suggestions to help you get the most out of your retreat. 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.

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 contact us with recommendations on locations that aren’t listed, or to share your experiences with a facility, or for other communications.

Australia
State/TerritoryLocaleFacilityCommentsContact
New South WalesBurradooHartzer Park, Conference and Retreat Centre BowralRange of accommodation available. Picturesque Southern Highlands countryside. No email, fill out enquiry form on contact page.Contact Form or phone 02 48 61 3223
New South WalesDouglas ParkSt Mary’s Towers Retreat CentrePrayer, Retreats, Spiritual Accompaniment. A Special Place of Silence Will cater for the solitary retreat, just clarify your circumstances.Contact Form or Phone: 02 4630 0233
New South WalesGalong, NSW 2585St. Clement’s Retreat CentreHermitage for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone 02 6380 5222
New South WalesMulgoa ShoenstattMount Schoenstatt Shrine & Retreat Centre Mulgoa AustraliaAccommodation available for individual retreats.E-mail or phone 02 4773 8338
New South WalesNorwestSt. Josephs Baulkham HillsRange of accommodation available. Cater for personal retreats.E-mail or phone 02 9634 2317
New South WalesRydalSelf Realisation Sevalight CentreAccommodation available for personal retreats.E-mail or phone 0415 543473
New South WalesVarroville, NSW 2566Mt. Carmel Retreat CentreTwo hermitages available for solitary retreats. Set in scenic hills of the Macarthur region.E-mail or phone (02) 8795 3400 or 0435 857 690
QueenslandEudloChenrezig InstituteRange of accommodation available, including 5 retreat huts.E-mail or phone 0491 873 258
South AustraliaIn the northwest of Kangaroo IslandDe-Tong Ling Retreat CentreRange of accommodations available, caters especially for solitary retreats.Contact Form
South AustraliaPoint PassLokananda Retreat CentreCaters for individual retreats.E-mail or phone +61 8 8581 1758
Tasmania IslandLorinna ValleyDorje Ling Retreat CentreCater for solo retreats.Contact Form
VictoriaHealesvilleMaitripa CentreCater for individual retreats.E-mail or phone (03) 5962 6167
VictoriaNorthwest of BendigoAtisha CentreProvide accommodation for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone 03 5446 3336
VictoriaRocklynRocklyn Yoga AshramProvide a range of accommodation for individual retreatants.E-mail or phone 03 5345 7434
VictoriaWarburtonSancta Sophia Meditation CommunityHermitage available for private retreats.E-mail or phone
Western AustraliaShoalwaterSt. John of God Retreat CentreRange of accommodation available for solitary retreats.Contact Form or phone (08) 9527 2101 or (08) 9346 9444
Canada
ProvinceLocaleFacilityCommentsContact
Alberta (AB)Cochrane T4C 1A8King’s FoldThree hermitages (two for fasting retreats). Economical.E-mail or phone (403) 932 3174
Newfoundland (NL)Doyles A0N 1J0St. Mary’s SolitudeTwo hermitages for year-round retreats. Economical.E-mail or phone (709) 955-2150
Nova Scotia (NS)Baddeck BOE IBOBig Hill RetreatCabins for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone (902) 295-2726
Nova Scotia (NS)Cape Breton B0E 2P0Gampo AbbeyCabins for solitary retreats of 14 days or longer. Shambhala.E-mail or phone (902) 224-2752
Nova Scotia (NS)Middle River B0E 1B0Willow Healing SpacePeaceful, private woodland campsites with washroom facilities & communal meals. Indoor meditation space available. Silent retreaters welcome.E-mail or phone (902) 295-9009
Nova Scotia (NS)Tatamagouche B0K 1V0Dorje Denma LingCabins in summer. Communal meals. Shambhala center.E-mail or phone (902) 224-2752
Ontario (ON)Port Perry L9L 1B4Clearpath Retreat CtrCabins and tent facilities. Open July to September.E-mail or phone 905-982-0243. No web site.
Great Britain
SectionLocaleFacilityCommentsContact
Berkshire, EnglandUpper Woolhampton RG7 5TQDouai AbbeyEn-suite rooms for solitary retreats.E-mail or E-mail2 or phone +44 (0)118 971 5399
Borders, ScotlandHawick TD9 7PHChisholme InstitutePurpose-built retreat cell for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone +44 (0)1450 880215
Cambridgeshire, EnglandSt Neots PE19 5TASt Claret CentreSelf-contained flats for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone +44 (0) 1480 810344
County Antrim, Northern IrelandLarne BT40 1DTDrumalisGate-lodge cottage for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone (028) 28272196 or 28276455
Denbighshire, North WalesCorwen LL21 0ENCastell RetreatCastell Retreat Cottage for solitary retreats.E-mail
Devon, EnglandExeter EX6 7LESheldon CentreChalet for short solitary retreats.E-mail or phone +44 (0)1245-237251
Essex, EnglandChelmsford CM3 1HAPleshey Retr. HouseGatehouse for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone 01245 237251
Hereford, EnglandHereford HR2 9RZBelmont AbbeyGuesthouse (Hedley Lodge) for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone =+44 (0) 1432 374750
Leicestershire, EnglandEast Norton LE7 9XBLaunde AbbeyHermitage for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone (44) 01572 717254
North Norfolk, EnglandTrimingham NR11 8 EQThe HidawayLarge self-contained open plan static caravan for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone 07444707466
Northumberland, EnglandBelford NE70 7ENOutchester & Ross Farm CottagesCottages for solitary retreats.Contact form or phone +44 (0)1668 213336
Northumberland, EnglandBelford NE70 7LJSwinhoe Farm HousesCottages for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone +44 (0)1668 213370 or +44 (0)7762 773559
Northumberland, EnglandNr. Holy Island. TD15 2PBBee HillCottage for solitary retreats.Contact form or phone +44 (0)1289 381418 or +44 (0) 7884 077729
Northumberland, EnglandHoly Island and nearbyHoly Island of LindisfarneA variety of cottages by various owners.See individual listings.
Northumberland, EnglandRiding Mill NE46 6AFShepherds DeneLodge for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone 01434 682212
Powys, Wales LD1 6NULlandrindod WellsDyffryn FarmSelf-catering cottage for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone 01597 811017
Snowdonia National Park, North WalesSnowdonia, LL54 7YYThe Eniya BarnDetached Barn, solitary, meditation, silent & self catering retreats.Contact form
Somerset, EnglandRadstock BA3 5SWAmmerdown CentreSelf-catering flat for solitary retreats.E-mail or phone 01761 433709
Somerset, EnglandS. Petherton TA13 5ESCommunity of St. FrancisAccommodation in houses.Contact form
Surrey, EnglandCroydon, CRO 1NDRivendell Retreat CentreChalet in secluded part of the grounds.E-mail or phone 0845 459 4015
WalesBrecon LD3 9PPLlannerchwenIndividual hermitages or small cottage and bungalow. 8 rooms.E-mail or phone +44 (0) 01874 622 902
WalesPembrokeshire SA65 9UAFfald-y-BreninStone-built buildings and camping. “Donation in line with running costs.”E-mail or phone +44 (0) 1348 881419
West Yorkshire, EnglandIlkley LS29 9BWBriery CentreIndividual Guided Retreats.E-mail or phone +44 (0) 1943 607287
Ireland
CountyLocaleFacilityCommentsContact
CavanBawnboyJampa Ling Tibetan Budhist meditation centreHas a retreat mobile at a reasonable rent rate specific for solitary retreats and other options of accommodation.Visit the contact page or phone 353 (0)49 9523448
CorkBanteerPalpung Irish Budhist CentreAccommodate for solitary retreats and provide quiet peaceful environment.E-mail or phone 353 (0)29 56862 or mobile: 353 (0)83 1447769
CorkBearaDzogchen Beara – Budhist meditation centreThree separate cottages and budget hostel accommodation available.E-mail or phone: 353 (0)27 73032
CorkEnnismoreSt Dominic’s Retreat CentreA lodge house available for quiet sabbaticals.E-mail or phone 353 (0)21 4502520
DonegalDundrean, BurnfootSt. Anthony’s Retreat CentreSix en-suite hermitages. Meals provided.E-mail or phone 353 (0)74 9368370
DublinDonnybrook, Dublin 4Avila Carmelite CentreTwo purpose built hermitages, in a garden setting.Visit the contact page
LaoisPortarlingtonMount St. Anne’s Retreat and Conference CentreThree self-contained Poustinia for self-reflection retreats available.E-mail or phone 353 (0)57 8626153
LimerickMurroeGlenstal AbbeyProvide two hermitages or god pods in remote locations on site.E-mail or phone 353 (0) 61 621000
SligoSkreenHoly Hill HermitageHave a number of hermitages available.E-mail or phone 353 (0)71 916 60 21
WexfordEnniscorthyBallyvaloo Retreat and Conference CentreSelect number of rooms available for solitary retreats. Just off the beach.E-mail or phone 353 (0)53 9137160
WicklowGlendaloughGlendalough Hermitage CentreFive cillins (hermitages) for solitary retreats. Designed for privacy in the scenic mountainous area.E-mail or phone: 353 (0)404 45571 or 353 (0)87 935 6696
WicklowGlendaloughTearmannA range of guest accommodation. Caters for silent retreats.E-mail; Phone: +35385 2501706
Italy
ProvinceLocaleFacilityCommentsContact
TuscanyPistoiaApuan Hillside RetreatApartment for solitary retreats, adjacent to new Buddhist meditation center.Use e-mail form on web site; phone +44 783 437-1393
New Zealand
AreaLocaleFacilityCommentsContact
South IslandMarlboroughMaitreya Meditation CentreCottage, caravan, flat; economical camp sites.E-mail or phone +63 3 574 1234