There are now a wide variety of retreats available in centres nationwide and they are listed in “Retreats,” the annual journal of the Retreat Association (an umbrella group for all the Christian denominational retreat groups). Further information and links are at www.retreats.org.uk

All sorts of possibilities are now available to suit people’s circumstances and needs: retreats of one day, a weekend or up to a week.  Some offer individual, personal daily guidance, others may be for a group and/or with a particular theme, or address a particular need such as help with bereavement.  The traditional “preached” retreat is still available in some centres.  In many retreats, silence is observed and information on this is readily available.  All centres have lovely chapels and areas for prayer, including in the gardens.  Some have facilities for art work.

Virtually all retreat centres have a website.  A selection of a few within easy reach of the North West are:

          The Briery, Ilkley. www.briery.org.uk

St Beuno’s, Tremeirchion, N Wales. www.beunos.com

Noddfa, Penmaenmawr, N Wales. www.noddfa.org.uk