Guided Residential Retreats

Into the Silent Land offers profound insights for the student of silent prayer but is especially intended for the non-specialist who feels drawn to discover the deep wisdom of the Christian contemplative tradition. This retreat will be led by Chris Whittington, founder of The School of Contemplative Life.

Unmaking Mary invites us to examine how idealised images of the Virgin Mary have shaped unrealistic expectations of motherhood and womanhood. Through reflection and gentle conversation, we’ll explore how these myths have impacted our own stories. Together we’ll encounter Mary as a real woman of courage and complexity — and discover a more freeing vision of ourselves. Led by Chine McDonald.

In this retreat (based on the book by the same title) we receive challenge and inspiration from the biblical rivers and wells, revisiting ancient stories and exploring their resonances, spiritual and ecological. We draw refreshment from ancient springs which renew us for daily living.

The aim of this semi-silent retreat weekend is to help you enter the world of silent retreats gently and with plenty of support. There will be guidance on how to use the time; periods on your own and with the other retreatants, and the opportunity to share your experience with others if you wish to do so. Led by members of the Launde Abbey Community.

Christ welcomes us all.  Using the sculpture of “The Welcoming Christ” in the Launde Abbey garden, we will explore what we understand by welcome, feeling welcomed and welcoming others.  Guests may wish to use or take their own photos of the statue as an inspiration for stitching. Led by Revd Claire Goode.

This is a week long silent guided retreat designed to enable those attending to encounter God more deeply. Each day those on the retreat meet with an experienced prayer guides. The prayer guides for this retreat are Rev Drs Catherine Wright, Michèle Hampson and Rhona Knight.

A retreat led by the Revd Catherine Lomas reflecting on the use of icons as a means for prayer.

This retreat will be led by Christopher Cook, co-author of Struggling with God. Drawing on the book’s themes, he will guide participants in a prayerful exploration of the relationship between Christian spirituality and mental health, reflecting on questions of God and prayer in times of struggle.

A retreat hosted jointly by Renovaré Britain & Ireland and Launde Abbey, exploring the relationship between the holiness and social justice traditions within Christian spirituality. Together, we’ll consider how inward transformation and outward action shape and enrich one another through teaching, discussion, prayer, worship, silence and rest.

Come and enjoy a time of quiet Celtic Christian worship, biblical reflections and guided birdwatching walks. Led by Mark Winter.

During this retreat, we’ll spend time exploring the Jesus Prayer and praying it together. There will be opportunities for silence, reflection, and prayer, and also for friendship, conversation, and laughter. Held in the gracious and loving presence of Christ, we’ll help one another rediscover the beauty and joy of prayer. Led by Revd Chris Webb.

Join Amy Boucher Pye to explore, through Scripture stories and passages, how God has designed us to be fully integrated beings – soul, spirit, mind and body.

Truth and Light are at the heart of both Photography and the Christian Faith. The word “Photography” literally means drawing with light. Truth and Light are definitive expressions of the life of God in Jesus. As we attend slowly and deeply to the images we create, so we can journey more deeply with God. Suitable for any level of photographer this retreat is led by Revd Dale & Pat Hanson.

Abi May and the team invite those who have experienced bereavement to gain the tools to help cope with the life-changing loss of a loved one.

With help from the teachings of Julian of Norwich, Martin Laird and others, we will explore the path of interior surrender, of releasing into and resting in God through our deepening stillness and shared silence. Led by Chris Whittington, founder of the School of Contemplative Life.

You might want to be more resilient in the face of exhausting demands. You might be looking for a deeper foundation for your ministry. You might be wrestling with the question: how do I live a flourishing life? If so, this retreat is for you. Led by Launde Abbey and Renovaré.

On this autumn retreat, we will explore how we can be inspired by the stories and other writings of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, alongside Scripture, to recover wonder and beauty, mystery and longing in these increasingly technological and materialistic times. Led by Andrew Swinford.

The aim of this semi-silent retreat weekend is to help you enter the world of silent retreats gently and with plenty of support. There will be guidance on how to use the time; periods on your own and with the other retreatants, and the opportunity to share your experience with others if you wish to do so. Led by members of the Launde Abbey Community.

Join experienced Iconographer, Peter Murphy for a week learning the medieval gilding and painting techniques to create stunning icon paintings.

This Advent time we will be reflecting on the wonder of God’s love, shown through the Incarnation, as we contemplate the voices of those involved in the gospel birth accounts. From the gospel writers themselves to the magi, the shepherds, to Simeon and Anna, what are their voices trying to impress upon us? A retreat led by Revd Rhona Knight and Chris Knight.

Join us at Launde Abbey for a creative and reflective Textiles Retreat. Led by Revd Claire Goode.