A retreat is your chance to step aside from life for a while, to rest and just 'be' in a welcoming, peaceful place.
Retreats 2026 Submission - Review Entry
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Brancepeth Castle/Community of the Well
Brancepeth Castle, Brancepeth, Durham, UK
07504 489089
Rooms
7 bedrooms (4 double, 2 twin, 1 single), plenty of loos and showers but only two rooms are en suite; the guest area has a sitting room and uses a small dining room. Chapel (seats 70). Art space for textile, paint and pottery. The main dining room and four other rooms can be hired, each have capacity for 40-100 people.
Notes
The Community of the Well is an Anglican group that includes trained spiritual directors and has its home in this family-owned, medieval castle. We offer retreats and quiet days as part of a range of community activities that happen here. We can accommodate large groups for day events but only small groups for residentials as the bedrooms are much larger than is typical of a retreat house. The spacious bedrooms are ideal for retreatants who want to spend time in the solitude of their room without feeling cramped. Our building has a lot of steps, and only two rooms are en suite, and these are on the first floor, so please check ahead if steps are difficult for you. Indoor and outdoor areas are easily accessible for walking and sitting, as is our dedicated art space. Holy Communion is celebrated, typically daily, in the castle chapel. Home-cooked (catered) and self-catering options available. Set in open countryside, close to Durham City, with good public transport links. We are friendly, approachable and 'ordinary'!
Contact
Rev Alison Hobbs
2026 Events
February
21 Finding God in Threads and Patches: What damages us and our communities? What helps us to mend? Where is God in all of this? Come and explore these themes, while learning some simple clothes mending skills, sharing stories and taking time to pray. Claire Cullingworth
March
21 Creative Prayer for Beginners: Collage, poetry, drawing, fabric and thread: all of these can help us deepen our connection to God and help us to pray. Come and try something new, in a supportive setting. No experience or art skills needed. Claire Cullingworth
April
2-5 Easter Retreat: Death, fragility and the hope of New Life explored and expressed through creating a vast cross of flowers as the image accompanying the worship from Maundy Thursday evening to Easter Day. Alison Hobbs
25 Bible Stories Re-Worked: Sunday School for Grown-ups! In the morning: a well known Bible story told in a fresh way and chance to reflect on it together. In the afternoon: a range of creative ways to respond to the story. To finish the day: a simple act of worship and the chance to share what we've done. Claire Cullingworth
May
16 Creative Prayer for Beginners: A stand-alone session exploring more ideas (see 21 March). Claire Cullingworth
26-31 Silent IGR. Alison Moore & Alison Hobbs
June - July
26-1 Silent IGR. Michael O’Halloran & Alison Hobbs
July
11 Finding God in Threads and Patches: Come for the first time or to extend what you discovered in February (see 21 Feb). Claire Cullingworth
August
28-31 Silent IGR. Michael O’Halloran & Alison Hobbs
September – October
27-2 Silent IGR. Alison Moore & Alison Hobbs