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It was a deep delve into stillness and meditation, which was life-affirming and nourishing.

Experience quiet and stillness for an extended time, within supportive company in a beautiful, nurturing setting.

In an increasingly frenetic world, with so many competing demands for our time and attention, this silent retreat offers a precious opportunity for spaciousness and stillness.

You’ll be in a safe and supportive setting, allowing you to deepen into mindfulness practice and your experience of silence, in the tranquil setting of Sharpham House and Estate.

This 5-night retreat is a chance to turn inward and to let go of the daily struggles that can so easily get in the way of the simplicity, freedom and joy in each present moment.

Read on for more details on this retreat and click the Leaders, Schedules and Venue & Directions tabs above for further information.

Previous retreat and meditation experience

This retreat is for people who already have prior experience of being on a retreat or of mindfulness meditation. If you are new to mindfulness and retreats, you might like to consider joining our Mindfulness for Beginners retreats, which run on a monthly basis.  

This retreat is for you if you are:

• in need of rest and replenishment
• interested in deepening or reconnecting with your practice in a silent setting
• inspired by spending time reconnecting with nature
• have prior meditation and retreat experience
• 18 years or above

Connecting through quietude

Spending an extended period of time in silence with others can feel challenging and awkward at first, however participants often discover that the experience can also allow for a surprisingly rich sense of connection.

This is a chance to experience quiet and stillness, yet still be in supportive company, with the opportunity to let go of the usual social conventions.

How much silence?

The retreat is not in total silence the whole time. Each morning there is the chance to connect with a smaller home group to share your experiences if you choose and some of the meditation sessions each day will be guided. Other than this the rest of the retreat will be in silence, including meal times and group activities, such as silent walking and nature connection.

What you’ll experience on this retreat

During this retreat you’ll:

• practice silence to develop a strong container for deepening meditation practice
• explore embodiment, with simple mindful movement and exercises
• have the chance to take mindfulness into the outdoors through walking, nature connection and sensing activities (weather permitting)
• experience Mindfulness enquiry sessions in smaller groups
• be living in community with like-minded people, bringing mindfulness to everyday experiences and tasks
• enjoy delicious, healthy, home-cooked vegetarian food that regularly receives rave reviews
• be cared for full-board in a Grade 1-listed Georgian House surrounded by history and art, with staff looking after you, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to nature, amid breath-taking scenery on the banks of the River Dart.

Mindfulness in nature at Sharpham

When you experience Sharpham's inspiring and nourishing environment, we hope you'll connect spiritually with the natural world, so you’ll:

• become aware of how we are all part of nature - not artificially separate from it
• pay attention to and appreciate the natural world surrounding us
• explore nature through your senses and your natural creativity
• Tread more lightly on our finite planet, developing a respect and reverence for all living things

Click here to read our ethos and principles

What you need to know

If you decide to stay with us, we’ll send you a list of what you need to bring for this retreat in your Welcome Letter that we send out after you've booked.

You can also find out more about staying with us on our Frequently Asked Questions page, including

• accessibility information
• why we encourage you to come on your own and not with partners or friends
• what the difference is between our retreats

See our Sharpham House Covid-19 measures here

Our food & your dietary needs

The retreat is full-board with delicious home-cooked vegetarian food. 

In line with sustainable practices across the Estate, our cooks produce seasonal, vegetarian food for our guests. We source food whenever possible from our kitchen garden and support local food suppliers. 

Food allergies & intolerances
Please tell us well in advance of your stay of any food allergies or intolerances you may have.

You can tell us this on the Booking Form via a link we send you in your confirmation email.

Your physical and mental health

This retreat is suitable for you if you have meditation and retreat experience.

Although meditation and mindfulness can be helpful in managing stress, depression and anxiety our retreats might not be suitable if you are experiencing major depression or other clinically diagnosed psychiatric illness such as bipolar disorder, psychosis or current self-harming. Click here for more information and for our booking process.

We have an accessible en-suite bedroom The Clare Milne Room – click here for details on how to book this room

If you have a medical condition that requires you to have an en-suite room, please contact our Programme Administrator on the number below as these rooms are limited and are bookable on a first-come first-serve basis.

Every time I come here, the ambience of the House and surroundings infuse me with a wonderful sense of well-being