
Penhurst Retreat Centre
The Manor House, Penhurst Ln, Penhurst, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9QP, UK
Retreat Centre Description
Penhurst is a small, friendly, ecumenical Christian centre offering a warm welcome to all. The centre, a 17th century manor house, is sited next to a small parish church in a rural area of outstanding natural beauty, providing a haven of tranquility. The house is available for fully-catered individual or small group retreats and quiet days throughout the year. There is also a programme of led and accompanied retreats. This centre has a particular heart for UK and overseas mission and we offer dedicated retreats/workshops for those with mission connections and a 10% discount offered to associates of agencies/churches that are members of Global Connections.

Accommodation on Offer
Main house. Sitting room, dining room, small library, small meeting room for up to 4 people. Seven upstairs bedrooms: 4 twin ensuite, 1 double with designated shower-room, 1 single ensuite, 1 single with designated bathroom.
Annexe. Chapel and 2 ground floor twin ensuite bedrooms (1 adapted for wheel-chair users).
All bedrooms available for single-occupancy.
Beautiful grounds. Orchard, Prayer labyrinth. 3 summerhouses for 1-2 people. Small art room for up to 8 people.

Retreat Centre Facilities
Please see website for retreat centre facilities

Types of Retreat Offered
Please see website for retreats offered

2025 Events
January
17 – 19 I Can’t, God Can
Explore how we can let go of striving and struggling and open up to what God can do when life doesn't go as planned. Mandy Callf
20 – 24 Penhurst Family Week
For members of the Penhurst Family, join us at the start of the year to learn about how you can pray for and support us throughout the year while enjoying peaceful time away with God. With the Penhurst Team
February
3 – 7 Space to Rest
Book in for the whole week or just a couple of nights. Ruth will host a short prompt morning and evening with time to chat around the fire after supper. An ideal time for anyone wanting to be with God in a loosely structured way with time for accompaniment available. Ruth Traynar
10 – 13 Grace Space
Step aside to be with the God of all grace, to meet with him where we really are and receive the deep refreshment only he can give. The retreat will include guided sessions, space for individual reflection and prayer and the opportunity for one to one prayer. Jack and Sandra Telfer
17 – 21 Valley Paths
We all go through difficult experiences in life and the temptation can be to ‘grit our teeth’ to try and get through, pick ourselves up and carry on without giving ourselves time or permission to work through any impact the crisis might have left us with. This course enables us to take time with God, reflect on past events, seek a better understanding and go deeper with him, gaining new layers of healing. Gill Hancock
24 Prayer Shawl Workshop
Come together to either crochet or knit a prayer shawl and spend time praying for the recipient. Whilst the shawl is our gift to someone else, we will also experience blessing as we take time out to create, pray and spend the day together. Suitable for both experienced and less experienced crocheters/knitters and will include spiritual reflection as well as time creating together. Vicki Cottingham
24 – 27 Singles and Couples Debrief
An opportunity for mission partners to process their transitions to the UK with a mix of group work and debrief sessions. Sandie Reeves and Wania Honman
February - March
28 – 2 Who am I in God?
In the beauty of Penhurst take time out to explore the themes of roots, place and creation in our spiritual exploration of ‘who am I in God’?
Using ideas from Celtic, Māori and Aboriginal spirituality we will explore the two books through which God speaks to us, scripture and creation. Brigid Main
March
3 Day of Prayer for Mission
Come and join us for a day of prayer for the worldwide mission community.
7 – 9 Praying in and Out
This lightly guided retreat will help find balance in our prayer life with God - receiving from him as well as expressing ourselves to him. There will be plenty of time for rest and for personal time with God. Val Freeman
10 Disordered Eating
A chance to explore the subject of over-eating, often a source of shame in our lives. It will include biblical teaching about food and eating as well as uncovering common reasons for over-eating and looking at ways forward. Shirley Skrentny
13 The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real
Using Margery Williams’ enchanting story we will explore themes of kindness, sadness and deeper issues such as becoming real, fear, loneliness, love, desire and transformation. Roger Hagon
17 Pilgrims of Hope
An invitation to journey together towards a future based on hope, love, mercy and friendship. Explore the calling to be pilgrims and the example of hope and peace we can bring through the way we walk with God. Fiona Bower
21 – 23 Crossroads Retreat
Space for people at a crossroads in life to pause, step back and reflect on where they are and the way forward. Jacqui Zanetti and Mary Monfries
April
3 – 6 Retiring Well
If you are recently retired or planning to do so soon then this retreat helps work through key issues and is suitable for those in secular work or Christian ministry. Helen Calder
7 Deeper Into God’s Heart, A Renewal Day
Join Marilyn and Tracy for a powerful day of worship, teaching and time to encounter the God of love. With Marilyn Baker and Tracy Williamson
10 – 13 Knowing you, Jesus
A retreat for those in Christian ministry at home or abroad. This retreat calls us back to a life centred upon him out of which a life of fruitful service flows. Tony and Jilly Horsfall
May
9 – 11 Reigniting Your Creative Spark
We will look together at the spirituality of using our unique creativity and how to revive it when it’s gone cold. Led by Dan and Val Freeman
12 – Creativity, Contemplation, Connection
The day will include morning reflections, a contemplative smartphone photography walk, opportunities for creative writing, mark making, silence, self-reflection and sharing together, as we gently connect with our creative selves. Rachel Kiley
16 – Quiet Garden Day
Step aside from the busyness of life and into the peace and beauty of this place for a day of reflection and refreshment. The day will be mostly self-guided but will start and end with a reflective prayer time. Jay Ashworth
17 – 23 - 6 Night Silent IGR
17 – 25 – 8 Night Silent IGR
Maureen Stringer and Chris Doust
June
2 – Day of Prayer for Mission
Come and join us for a day of prayer for the worldwide mission community.
2 – 5 June – New Directions
A retreat for mission partners who have returned to live in the UK or are back for an extended home assignment. The focus will be on helping ‘unpack’ and understand the process of transition and change. Jack and Sandra Telfer
9 – 13 4 Night Silent IGR
Dawn Pointing
23 – 26 Invitations in the Wilderness
Experiencing God’s presence and purposes in the harder seasons of our lives. Come and explore the lessons the wilderness offers which shape our lives and ministries. Mags Duggan
June - July
30 – 4 Restore, Refresh, Recharge for Mission and Ministry Partners
Lean back into the Lord, meet him where we are and receive his love, grace and strength as we continue our journey with him. Jack and Sandra Telfer
July
7 – Pilgrims of Hope
An invitation to journey together towards a future based on hope, love, mercy and friendship. Explore the calling to be pilgrims and the example of hope and peace we can bring through the way we walk with God. Fiona Bower
11 – 13 – Well-being Weekend
A safe and supportive space for people who feel or have felt overwhelmed, providing tools for self-management in a facilitated peer mentoring style setting. This is the first of three Wellbeing Weekends. Each one will look at different subjects concerning our wellbeing. You are welcome to attend one, any or all of the weekends. Jason and Vicki Cottingham
14 – 18 Watercolour Painting Retreat
Explore the surprising, and often unpredictable technique of ‘Wet in Wet’ Watercolour painting, a great way to be experimental with your compositions and any landscape, still life, or portrait will undergo transformation with this varied, and bold technique. Viv Walkington
21 – 25 4 Night Silent IGR
Susan Oakes and Mandy Callf
August
4 – 8 Refilling Whilst We Pour Out
Do you sometimes feel as if you are pouring out of an empty cup? Well, this is an opportunity to refuel and refresh. For anyone working in Christian charities, missions, ministries or churches and also those in caring professions and roles such as medics, teachers, social workers and parents. Hilary Murdoch
18 – 22 Healing Life’s Wounds
A gentle retreat offering rest, refreshment and healing, drawing on themes from Pat’s latest book. We will explore how to find healing and wholeness with Jesus. There will be times of rest and stillness and optional one-to-one ministry. Pat Marsh
27 – 30 – Running the Race
A course for those involved in full-time Christian ministry (UK and overseas) as they prepare for retirement and the years beyond. Anne de Reybekill and Evan Winter
September
1 Day of Prayer for Mission
Come and join us for a day of prayer for the worldwide mission community.
4 – 7 Knowing you, Jesus
A retreat for those in Christian ministry at home or abroad. This retreat calls us back to a life centred upon him out of which a life of fruitful service flows. Tony and Jilly Horsfall
12 – 14 Well-being Weekend
A safe and supportive space for people who feel or have felt overwhelmed, providing tools for self-management in a facilitated peer mentoring style setting. This is the second of three Wellbeing Weekends. Each one will look at different subjects concerning our wellbeing. You are welcome to attend one, any or all of the weekends. Jason and Vicki Cottingham
15 Daring to Talk About Grief
A space for you to connect with your grief in a supportive environment. The day includes input about common themes of the grieving process; opportunities to speak about your own experience in a small and safe group and time for quiet reflection. Shirley Skrentny
23 Prayer Shawl Workshop
Come together to either crochet or knit a prayer shawl and spend time praying for the recipient. Whilst the shawl is our gift to someone else, we will also experience blessing as we take time out to create, pray and spend the day together. Suitable for both experienced and less experienced crocheters/knitters and will include spiritual reflection as well as time creating together. Vicki Cottingham
25 Quiet Garden Day
Step aside from the busyness of life and into the peace and beauty of this place for a day of reflection and refreshment. The day will be mostly self-guided but will start and end with a reflective prayer time. Jay Ashworth
September - October
29 – 5 - 6 Night Silent IGR
Maureen Stringer and Chris Doust
October
6 – Deeper Into God’s Heart, A Renewal Day
Join Marilyn and Tracy for a powerful day of worship, teaching and time to encounter the God of love. With Marilyn Baker and Tracy Williamso
10 – 12 Crossroads Retreat
Space for people at a crossroads in life to pause, step back and reflect on where they are and the way forward. Jacqui Zanetti and Mary Monfries
17 – 19 Divorce Recovery Weekend
Have you been through divorce or separation; has your relationship irretrievably broken down; are you asking yourself why it all happened? At whatever stage of separation and divorce you find yourself, this workshop helps you make some sense of it all and find ways of moving forward. Mandy Callf
20 Pilgrims of Hope
An invitation to journey together towards a future based on hope, love, mercy and friendship. Explore the calling to be pilgrims and the example of hope and peace we can bring through the way we walk with God. Fiona Bower
27 – 31 4 Night Silent IGR
Dilys Threshie
November
3 Creativity, Contemplation, Connection
The day will include morning reflections, a contemplative smartphone photography walk, opportunities for creative writing, mark making, silence, self-reflection and sharing together, as we gently connect with our creative selves. Rachel Kiley
7 – 9 Well-being Weekend
A safe and supportive space for people who feel or have felt overwhelmed, providing tools for self-management in a facilitated peer mentoring style setting. This is the third of three Wellbeing Weekends. Each one will look at different subjects concerning our wellbeing. You are welcome to attend one, any or all of the weekends. Jason and Vicki Cottingham
14 – 16 Living In Christ
The apostle Paul experienced a complete turnabout on the Damascus Road. How can we emulate him in “putting on Christ” – that is, how do we leave our old selves behind as we take on the new? Feel refreshed, challenged and equipped to live each new day with Jesus. Amy Boucher-Pye
December
1 Day of Prayer for Mission
Come and join us for a day of prayer for the worldwide mission community.
1 – 5 – Space to Rest
Book in for the whole week or just a couple of nights. Ruth will host a short prompt morning and evening with time to chat around the fire after supper. An ideal time for anyone wanting to be with God in a loosely structured way with time for accompaniment available. Ruth Traynar
8 – 12 Painting the Story of Mary: Prayer and Encounter Through Art
We will dwell in the story of Mary, mother of Jesus using drawings and watercolour to describe and listen more deeply to the events that mean the most to us. No artistic skill required, it is about encountering the story and allowing it to become prayer. Led by Carol Morgan
Retreat Centre Location
The Manor House, Penhurst Ln, Penhurst, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9QP, UK