Courses & Learning
Woodbrooke retreats in Birmingham
Set in 10 acres of beautiful grounds, Woodbrooke offers opportunities for reflection and spiritual learning in a friendly welcoming environment. We have an appealing and varied programme of retreats and short courses open to all, which are designed to support personal and spiritual journeys. You can also spend your sabbatical or other study period here, or simply come for a few days of stillness and reflection.
You will enjoy staying in the handsome former home of chocolate-maker George Cadbury, consuming some organic produce from the garden and even taking out a rowboat onto our lake for a refreshing and tranquil experience. Woodbrooke runs a year-round programme of events as well as providing facilities for personal study and self-directed retreats. Contact us for a brochure.
Organised retreats
From week long Buddhist meditation to simple, spiritual weekends, retreats are an important part of Woodbrooke's programme. Below are some of the retreats in our 2012 programme.
Time Set Aside: an individually guided silent retreat
Monday 14 - Friday 18 May led by Timothy Peat Ashworth and Frances Henley Lock
A Retreat for Young Friends (aged 18-30)
Friday 1 - Monday 4 June led by Ginny Wall, Michael Eccles and Rachael Swancott Boon
John Woolman and the Inward Divine Voice
Monday 4 - Wednesday 6 June led by Jon Kershner, Mike Heller and Ben Pink Dandelion
Spaciousness & Synchronicity : A creative retreat for women
Friday 22 - Sunday 24 June led by Vivien Whitaker
Time to Listen, Space to Grow
Friday 27 - Sunday 29 July led by Frances Henley Lock and Mary Watson
Sacred Presence: exploring Celtic spirituality
Monday 24 - Wednesday 26 September led by Madeleine O'Callaghan
Mindfully Together: a retreat guided by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh
Sunday 30 September- Friday 5 October led by Timothy Peat Ashworth and Marion Mills Dadds
A Quaker Retreat
Monday 8 - Thursday 11 October led by Ginny Wall and Felicity Kaal
December Retreat: Nordic Light
Sunday 9 - Tuesday 11 December led by Julia Ryberg
“Be the Change”: a pre-Christmas Retreat
Friday 14 - Sunday 16 December led by Cliodhna Mulhern and Pam Lunn
Give Peace a Dance: a New Year Retreat
Sunday 30 December- Wednesday 2 January led by Glenda Huggons and Trevor Huggons
Making your own personal retreat
Whether you plan to spend a weekend or three months on your retreat, Woodbrooke is the ideal setting. Reflection is built into the heart of Woodbrooke, in Meeting for Worship, Epilogue, the silence of the library and the stillness of the lake. You can study with the help of our extensive library or take some quiet time to reflect in our garden. However you choose to spend your retreat, we hope that you will find an oasis of calm and simplicity at Woodbrooke.
Click here for more information about personal retreats
Using our conference centre for retreats
Contact Fiona and Faye, our conference co-ordinators on 0121 415 6774 or email conferences@woodbrooke.org.uk to discuss bringing a group to hold your own retreat gathering at Woodbrooke.
The Bodhi Yoga Retreat, who came to Woodbrooke in August 2011, said: "There is a contrast at Woodbrooke - it's so close to Birmingham so people can get there easily but it is still tranquil. You can have the best of both worlds. We were very impressed with the staff - they couldn't do enough for you."
