Solitary Spiritual Retreat Facilities

Solitary Retreats: TAT Foundation's guide to hermitages, cabins, and other places for spiritual reflection.

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

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: left-click on underlined text for additional information.

Wondering how can you make the best use of time spent in solitude? Check the article on solitary retreats by Shawn Nevins in the November 2002 TAT Forum.

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USA Listings

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Retreat Facilities - Australia:

Map of Australia

State/Terr.	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	Murrurundi, NSW 2338	Capuchin Hermitage	Camping sites; caravan in isolated setting.	or phone (02) 6546 6 204
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)	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
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 / Conwy, Wales	Clocaenog Forest	Forest setting	Caravan for solitary retreats. Economical.	or phone 01824 750 395
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
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	Berwick TD15 2PB	Bee Hill	Cottage for solitary retreats.	or phone +44 (0)1289 381102
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
Wales	Mid-Wales	WCF Maenllwyd Retreat Centre	Retreat hut and other facilities for solitary retreats. Economical.	or phone +44 (0) 1934 842231
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	Saint Dominic's Retreat House	Hermitage available for solitary retreats.	or phone +353 (0)21 502520
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	Hermitage for solitary retreats.	or phone 353 (0)71 66021 or (0)71 9166021
Wexford	Ferns	St. Aidan's Monastery	Seven stone hermitages for solitary retreats. Economical.	; phone (353) 054 66634
Wicklow	Glendalough	Glendalough Hermitage	Five cillins (hermitages) for solitary retreats.	; ph +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.	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	Cabañas, tepees, camping.	or phone 011-52-612-108-4189

Retreat Facilities - New Zealand: country index Map of New Zealand

Area	Locale	Facility	Comments	Contact
North Island	Coromandel Peninsula	Sudarshanaloka retreat centre	Five self-contained cabins. Donation.	or phone (64) 7 868 5341
South Island	Marlborough	Maitreya Meditation Centre	Cottage, caravan, flat; economical camp sites.	or phone +63 3 574 1234

The Order of Saint Benedict maintains a list of Benedictine Retreat Centers. Visit their Directory of Retreat Centers for other countries, sorted alphabetically by country and province.

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Please click here to us about locations that aren't listed, or to share your experiences with a facility, or for other communications.