A retreat is your chance to step aside from life for a while, to rest and just 'be' in a welcoming, peaceful place.
Sheldon Retreat (Mary & Martha)
Sheldon Retreat, Exeter EX6 7YT, UK
Retreat Centre Description
Sheldon is run by a lay community. Most resources are open to everyone but we also have a specialist focus on supporting clergy especially at times of stress, crisis or burnout. (1:1 sessions and/or emergency bolt-hole are for people in ministry only.) Secluded private retreats either self-catering or with stocked larder. Fully catered led retreats and other programme events. Opportunity for group bookings to run your own church, family, leadership, training or other residential programmes for up to 35 people. Guests welcome to join community simple daily prayers. Beautifully converted cluster of thatched farm buildings. Includes 45 acres of fields and woodland with friendly sheep, small but perfectly formed library, art shed for creative play, medieval and modern chapels for quiet moments and a replica Chartres labyrinth when you can walk your prayers. House rules include ‘no clergy shop talk’. #CleanAir #CovidSafe. Confidentiality paramount. Always happy to discuss by phone to see if Sheldon will suit your needs.
Accommodation on Offer
Self-contained units for private retreats (5 Linhay Lodges, 3 Hen Runs and 3 Pig Pens). Each include their own kitchenette and en-suite bath or shower.
Main buildings available for group bookings when we're not running our own programme events. The Pound House has 6 bedrooms (11 beds), 1 kitchen and 3 dining/meeting rooms (1 large, 2 small). The Long Barn has 9 bedrooms (17 beds), 2 kitchens and 2 large dining/meeting rooms. All bedrooms are en-suite and single people are never asked to share. Reasonably good disabled access and special diets catered for.
Medieval chapel of Christ the Servant open for private prayer at all times. Community daily prayers in Chapel of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Guests in ministry on private retreat also have access to the Shepherd's Sanctuary.
For guests on private retreats or programme events, the very well-stocked Art Shed is open at all times, and the cosy eclectic library has several thousand titles to choose from.
The outdoor replica Chartres labyrinth is just one part of 45 acres of grounds with gentle walks round fields and woodlands.
Retreat Centre Facilities
Please see website for retreat centre facilities
Types of Retreat Offered
Please see website for retreats offered
2025 Events
December 2024–January 2025
28–2 New Year R5 (read, rest, retreat, relax, recuperate). Sociable mealtimes and space to do your own thing.
January–February
31–2 Candlemas volunteer work party.
February
2–7 R5 week (read, rest, retreat, relax, recuperate). Sociable mealtimes and space to do your own thing.
11–13 Retreat/workshop. Share the joy. An encounter with icons. Andrea & David Chance
17–21 Silent retreat. Send my roots rain. People in the ministry only. Christopher Chapman
March
2–7 R5 week (see 2–7 February).
10–14 Retreat/workshop. Reflections on retirement. Clare Herbert
23–28 R5 week (see 2–7 February).
March–April
31–4 Retreat. An early Holy Week. Bp John Pritchard
April
15–22 Easter volunteer work party. Work and worship.
April–May
27–2 Low Sunday R5 week (see 2–7 February).
June
2–6 Silent retreat. Charting a course through change. Margaret Silf
15–20 R5 week (see 2–7 February).
July
14–18 Retreat/writing workshop. Prayers from Wisdom. Stephen Cherry
July–August
24–2 Volunteer work week. Work, theatre and worship.
August
4–8 Julian retreat. Strong in love, peaceful and restful. Ian & Gail Adams
10–15 R5 week (see 2–7 February).
18–22 Retreat. The learning of love. Simon Parke
24–29 R5 week (see 2–7 February).
October
1 Quiet day, Finding rest and refreshment – Reflecting on the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Alison MacTier
Please see our website for full listings of our 2025 events, including led silent retreats, retreat workshops and R5 (Read, Rest, Retreat, Relax, Recuperate) weeks.
Retreat Centre Location
Sheldon Retreat, Exeter EX6 7YT, UK