top of page
A retreat is your chance to step aside from life for a while, to rest and just 'be' in a welcoming, peaceful place.
Retreat Leaders
Find a retreat leader to facilitate your retreat or quiet day.
The retreat leaders listed below have stated that their values and practices are in line with the Christian retreat tradition and open to all.
We recommend you contact leaders direct to see if they offer what you are looking for.
Abigail Hardiman
Beyond Self Retreats
Exeter, Devon
Retreats Offered
My wholeness and wellbeing retreat days are inspired by scripture and are designed to nourish and resource those who attend. They usually include guided meditation, Christian mindfulness, and creative activities -from moulding finger labyrinths to mask work and more. There may also be storytelling and somatic exercises that enable us to connect in a different way with God, ourselves, and each other. Depending on the theme, the venue and the weather, there is often an opportunity to engage reflectively with nature too.
Hospitality and fellowship are central to the day and I provide a hot meal and refreshments for days I organise. I am happy to discuss this option for bespoke days too.
Recent retreat themes have included: ComPassion - a Lent retreat day; The gift and challenge of forgiveness; Rooted - where we reflected on what it means to be rooted in God’s love through the imagery of trees and the words of Jeremiah; Sacred Sanctuary - a wholly outdoor retreat day connecting with God through the elements of earth, fire, air and water; and The God who sees me - inspired by the words of Hagar.
Feedback from previous day retreats:
"There were so many things about [the retreat] that I found refuelling, refreshing, recharging and profound."
"I valued most the opportunity 'to stop, be gently led and to be peaceful.'"
"Content was excellent...it felt safe and 'held'. The result was a powerful experience."
Leader Information
I have been offering led non-denominational Christian wholeness and wellbeing retreat days around Devon for several years now. These are generally open to everyone but I have also provided bespoke days on request. Leading retreats enables me to bring together my professional expertise and my faith background to create a safe space, held in love and compassion, where retreatants can simply ‘be’ with God and each other.
In my day job, I am a qualified integrative counsellor, with a particular interest and training in embracing the spiritual aspect of who we are within our healing journeys. This includes Christian mindfulness and guided meditation. I am also an accredited local (lay) preacher with the Methodist Church, regularly leading worship within our circuit. More recently, I have been involved in founding and leading Exeter Forest Church - this role has encouraged me to develop my existing interest in the ancient wisdom of Celtic Christianity and our connections with God’s creation, something which I weave into some of my retreat days too.
Details
I am happy to travel throughout the southwest (and potentially further afield). Generally my style of retreat works well with small groups. I can adapt what I do to most venues, though an outside space is always helpful!
Costs
Prefer to discuss
Andrea Corrie
Near Tiverton, Devon
Retreats Offered
I give secular and faith-based presentations and workshops, sharing insights into the grieving process. I describe the tools which are helpful in living, breathing and walking with our grief until we are in a place where we can again live with joy. Through a variety of activities, including led sessions, creative writing and quiet reflection, the territory of grief can be explored. Whatever the circumstances, there is always a glimmer of light displacing the darkness and I will share observations on how to find it. Through sharing as much or as little as individuals wish, I aim to offer gentle retreats with a Christian perspective, sensitively led and suitable for any who have lost a loved one, or who are supporting the bereaved. Creative writing can encompass personalising Psalms, writing lament, or writing prose or poetry to prompts, depending on the group's requirements. I am happy to tailor content for a day or a residential weekend. If a longer retreat is required, I would enlist the help of a colleague with whom I have worked before.
Leader Information
I began to realise the power of writing as a tool for processing grief following the loss of my 19-year-old son James to accidental drowning in 2005.
This led to the publication of two books, 'Into the Mourning Light' in 2014 and 'Living in the Mourning Light' in 2020. The positive narration in both books focuses on the attributes of hope, light, love, faith, resilience and joy.
I am able to share insights into the grieving process and have provided a number of talks and presentations, creative writing days and retreats, tailored to the needs of each group.
Details
Location within reasonable distance of Devon. Group size up to 14. Venue preferably in peaceful location.
Costs
Under £100
Donna Worthington
North West of England
Retreats Offered
My online & in situ retreats are imaginatively, lovingly and prayerfully created so that Christians can explore and deepen their faith in a unique way. They are an invitation to be rejuvenated and affirmed in faith, to know Christ better and to open up sacred space in order to listen to the beautiful, wild, creative Holy Spirit and experience a living spirituality that consoles, challenges and inspires.
I offer you an ecumenical space so that all are welcome, whether you go to church or not. My retreats offer time to discover more deeply Christianity in all its vibrancy. I make use of a whole spectrum of approaches (such as diving deep into the Scriptures, theological/spiritual discussion, psychology, music, theatre pieces, art, images, silence, etc) so that we can together enjoy a fascinating and engaging approach to spirituality. As a trained storyteller, for me, story is a window into the imagination and wisdom; I communicate the gems of the Gospel often through this medium. A mosaic of prayer and meditation approaches are offered - participants on my retreats may well find themselves enjoying contemplative silence, Ignatian imaginative prayer, embodied prayer, stillness, dream-prayer, mindfulness, lectio divina… so that they can touch the gentle love of the Divine.
I’m passionate about this faith, I so enjoy exploring it with others and have seen how transformative it has been in many, many people’s lives. Christianity is a rich, deep tradition, a compelling space in which to do inner soul work, face our own realities and develop as human beings. I love exploring its treasure chest with its many gifts: the profound gift of Scripture, the desert mothers & fathers, mystics such as John of the Cross, Celtic Christianity and so on … Retreats are relaxed and often go deep so that there can be the possibility of healing, gaining wisdom and being touched by Christ’s beautiful spirit.
Whether it’s an in situ venue or an online retreat in your own home, both become sacred retreat spaces.
I also offer spiritual direction and retreats on the exquisite Holy Island Lindisfarne and in Ireland. (It’s all on the website!) You would be very welcome on my retreats and if you have any questions, just ask. You can learn more about my background and interests by clicking on my website.
Leader Information
Donna is an experienced retreat giver and leads retreats in the UK and Ireland. She has led retreats in various places including St Bede's Pastoral Centre York, St Beuno's Wales, Whalley Abbey Lancashire, Mirfield Yorkshire, St Joseph's Prayer Centre Liverpool, Scargill House Yorkshire, Our Lady of Hyning Monastery Lancashire, Lindisfarne Holy Island, Manresa Jesuit Centre of Spirituality Dublin, Avila Carmelite Centre Dublin, Glendalough Ireland. Donna worked at Tabor, an ecumenical retreat centre in Lancashire and has offered retreats in parishes, churches and schools. She is trained in spiritual direction and has accompanied many people during weeks of guided prayer and through one-to-one direction; she also offers the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Trained as a labyrinth facilitator, she has led many labyrinth events for groups of all ages in various educational and faith contexts. She set up a labyrinth team that offers creative labyrinth walks to the public and has also offered labyrinth training to others; she has worked with schools, chaplains, churches and individuals wanting to explore this ministry.
Having studied Theology at Cambridge, Donna completed an MPhil at Manchester University, while developing a local theology in the context of working as a street theologian on a marginalised housing estate in Blackburn, Lancashire. Donna is a trained teacher and has worked in secondary, further and higher education, including as Head of the Ethics, Philosophy, Religion Department in a secondary school, teaching Religious Studies up to GCSE and A Level. She has also been a teacher trainer in Primary RE. Donna works in Arts and Wellbeing and is a Performance Storyteller and Theatre Director. She is trained in mindfulness and also grief counselling. Donna has MAs in Theatre Directing, Writing and TV Production ('The Star-Gazer' film was shown on Granada TV in 2000).
She has written several plays including 'Illumination' (Durham Cathedral and touring) written in the light of the Lindisfarne Gospel Exhibition, 'Blackbirds At Dawn', created to raise awareness of human trafficking and wrote and performed a one-woman production of 'Desert Mother', developed to explore Christian contemplative prayer. Donna's latest theatre work was working with men in recovery from addiction, culminating in the production 'Thread of Hope'. Donna has a deep interest in Celtic Christianity and has creatively explored the spirituality of the saints Aidan, Cuthbert, Hilda, Kevin, Brigid, including researching the imaginative epic sea journey of Brendan the Navigator and exploring this with others in retreat work. She has led creative workshops with all ages and on various themes, including exploring the Gospels through theatre and movement. She also explores dream-prayer and how to pray through movement.
Details
Online retreats can include any number, last approx 3 hours and cost £20.
Costs
Under £100
Elizabeth Jones
Northumberland
Retreats Offered
I am interested in the interface of spirituality and creativity and facilitating others to explore and benefit from this. I am happy to give talks on creativity, prayer and journalling and would love to run workshops, quiet days and retreats that have a creative element.
Leader Information
I am a retired Anglican priest with approximately 30 years parish ministry experience. I have ministered in urban and rural contexts and have been a chaplain in a psychiatric hospital and at a school. I have experienced a variety of different quiet days and retreats (IGR, themed, and creative) plus led various quiet days and a 5-day retreat.
Having benefited from various online courses, I use a wide range of methods and media in art and journalling.
Shortly before retirement at the end of January 2024 I completed a foundation course in spiritual accompaniment.
Details
I would prefer the north of England. However, I am happy to travel further afield for a retreat of more than three days, but would require accommodation the night before.
I have no preference over group size or venue.
Costs
Donation only
Rev Vanessa Cole
Priest without Portfolio
Wiltshire/Hampshire border (and on Zoom)
Retreats Offered
I have a variety of seasonally themed 'Petite Retreats' covering everything from the Spirituality of Chocolate to the Ashes of Lent, with some creative workshop days on poetry writing and cross making. I also really enjoy engaging with hosts to create bespoke retreats for groups and organisations.
I have led retreats for groups as diverse as Mothers' Union and boarding school confirmation classes.
I am also available for Individually Guided Retreats.
Leader Information
Ordained in the Church of England in 2024, I have over 15 years of parish behind me, and now work freelance as a Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader.
My Spiritual Direction training took place at Sarum College, and I maintain my own formation with regular training sessions offered by Salisbury and Winchester Spiritual Direction Networks, and Edgewalkers. Prior to training for ordination I studied English and Drama and still am very much influenced by the written word and all things creative.
I am wife and mother to a neurodiverse family, and am an LGBTQ+ ally.
Details
I am happy to travel, so am open to location. I have worked in conjunction with a couple of venues in the Andover area of Hampshire, and can recommend them.
I am happy to work with whatever size your group is, although up to 20 guests seems to fit well.
Costs
Prefer to discuss
Susanna Hinton
North Yorkshire
Retreats Offered
I offer Christian retreat walks and quiet days in the Yorkshire Dales.
Retreat walks are an opportunity to take time out from your normal schedule and to spend time in a beautiful landscape; it’s not about how high, fast or far we walk, but about taking our time at a comfortable speed. The walk is tailored to you and will look how you want it to.
Quiet days offer the chance to escape with a small group (up to 10 people) to a peaceful indoor space in the Dales. There are two kinds of quiet days:
- we organise occasional quiet days in the Dales which you can book onto individually
- we run bespoke quiet days for church or charity small groups, leadership teams or staff teams (up to 10 people) in a venue that works for you.
Leader Information
I am an Elder at New Life Baptist Church in Northallerton where I have been a member for many years. I have had the privilege of being a mentor for about 10 years, walking alongside a number of people, having been through the CPAS Mentoring Matters training.
For many years, I was PA to the Senior Pastor at New Life Baptist Church; and I have been closely involved with the Northern Baptist Association, including some time as a trustee and 2 years working as Renew Wellbeing Facilitator. During my time working with the NBA I ran a retreat day for ministers, leaders and church staff which was well attended and appreciated.
I have been running Feet of Faith retreat walks since 2022 (see below).
Details
Retreat walks are generally for one, two or three people, but I can also cater for small groups up to six or seven. They take place in the Yorkshire Dales - exactly where to be decided on an individual basis.
Quiet days take place at the Jonas Centre, Wensleydale; Parcevall Hall Anglican Retreat House, Wharfedale; the Mission Room in Thornton Rust, Wensleydale; or Muker Public Hall, Swaledale. Or alternatively, if you're interested in a bespoke day for a church, charity or small group nearer to where you are based, we can come and run a quiet day in your church building, or in a local venue provided by you.
Costs
Under £100
bottom of page