Buddhist retreat for young people at The Barn at The Sharpham Trust

Mindfulness for Young People: a 6-night retreat at The Barn

Meditation, community and connection to the land

Summary

6 nights - Annually
Any meditation experience
Single
Short periods of silence
Max. Spaces: 11

Overview

"We need the openness, creativity, and skilfulness of the youth"

  - Thich Nhat Hanh, peace and mindfulness activist in his Message to the Youth

A retreat for people aged 18-30 offering nature connection and mindfulness practices.

The Barn is offering young people a safe space to come together to share the retreat experience and nurture our capacity for joy, compassion and connection.   

You'll be cared for full-board, with plenty of time for rest, reflection and nature connection in the very special location of the Sharpham Estate.


We also have a tree-planting retreat for young people here

  • you want to explore the benefits of nature-based mindfulness and mindfulness meditation
  • you will benefit from spending time in our wonderful heritage gardens
  • you need to rest and rejuvenate
  • you want to deepen your connection with nature and learn about Rewilding
  • you want to experience periods of silence
  • are aged between 18 and 30
What is Mindfulness?

What you'll experience on this retreat:

  • be living in community with like-minded people, sharing experiences and tasks, including cooking and eating together and helping in our gardens
  • experience guided meditations and periods of silence and quiet contemplation
  • community sharing
  • mindful movement
  • finding connection with nature
  • have a single-occupancy room and your own space in which to rejuvenate, with free time to deeply rest and reconnect with yourself
  • have access to 24-hour hot teas, coffee & infusions in the kitchen
  • be able to explore the beautiful Sharpham Estate, set within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to nature, amid breath-taking scenery on the banks of the River Dart
What is a mindfulness meditation retreat?
Buddhist retreat for young people at The Barn at The Sharpham Trust

What you'll 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
View our FAQs

Schedule

Note that we hold silence from 8.30pm to 9.00am each day, and all day Wednesday.


Sunday

Afternoon
2.00pm to 4.00pm – Your arrival
4.30pm – Welcome talk, introductions and tour
5.30pm – Guided meditation
6.30pm – Light evening meal. Then settling in
8.30pm – The Barn goes into silence until 9.00am the next day
 


Monday to Friday:

This is a typical schedule.

Mornings Afternoons
6.20am – Wake up 12.20pm – Meditation (some guided) 
6.50am – Movement and meditation 1.00pm – Lunch
7.30am –  Household tasks 2.00pm – Personal time
8.00am – Breakfast 4.30pm – Teaching 
9.00am – Morning sharing and meeting 6.00pm – Light supper prepared individually or in groups
 10.00am – Gardening  7.50pm – Meditation (some guided)
  8.30pm – Barn moves into silence until 9.00am the next day
   


Saturday:  

As above until 8.00am. Silence ends at breakfast. After that, there is time to clear your room and depart between 9.00am and 11.00am.

Reviews

Retreatants outside The Barn retreat centre

The Barn Retreat Centre

Second time there and it continues to deliver! The coordinators are brilliant at creating a sense of community and peace. The setting is incredibly beautiful and allows for an deep immersion with nature


Our popular meditation retreat venue in the Buddhist tradition is where up to 11 people join together living in community for weekly retreats, including a variety of themed retreats - scroll on to see them all.

You'll be staying within a friendly atmosphere of fellowship, sitting together in daily meditations and mindfully tending our organic vegetable gardens.

You'll have your own single room, you'll get to eat produce from what's grown on the land here and you'll also get time to explore the wonder of the beautiful and contemplation-inspiring Sharpham Estate.

Get Directions View Venue

Leaders

Barn Coordinators
Barn Coordinators Read more +
Hannah, Volunteer Retreat Coordinator at The Barn at The Sharpham Trust
Hannah Cavender Read more +
Lucy Chan
Lucy Chan Read more +

Costs

The Sharpham Trust is committed to making retreats at The Barn accessible to everyone, no matter their income.

All rooms are comfortable singles, with a shared bathroom. Meals and bedding are included. Rooms are allocated randomly unless you have a medical need - please let us know on your booking form.

You can choose the rate that feels right for you:

Subsidised Rate - £195
A heavily subsidised rate for those on low incomes who would otherwise be unable to attend.
This is made possible by the generosity of others who are able to pay the higher Supporter Rate, helping us keep retreats open and accessible to everyone.

Standard Rate - £300
The Standard Rate for those not on a low income, covers the costs of your retreat and contributes a small amount to the upkeep of The Barn. Your payment helps maintain the retreat spaces, keep rooms and communal areas in good order, and ensures the experience is welcoming and enjoyable for all who visit.

Supporter Rate - £495
For those able to pay a little more, the Supporter Rate is a chance to make a wider, lasting impact.
Your support goes beyond your own retreat - it preserves the estate and its wildlife, sustains the charitable work of the Trust and helps ensure future participants can benefit from the peace and renewal Sharpham offers.  
By choosing the Supporter Rate, you’re helping The Sharpham Trust thrive - now and in the years to come.

Bursary Donations
If you’d like to support even more people beyond your own retreat, you can donate to our Bursary Fund. Every gift helps make retreats accessible to those who might otherwise miss out.

DANA

Dana is the Pali word for generosity or donation. The volunteer coordinators are receiving only a small payment for expenses whilst living at The Barn and are generously giving their energy and understanding to us all. If you are able donations are welcome.

There will be a maximum of 11 participants on this retreat.

All rooms are single occupancy, giving you your own space in which to relax.

Book easily and securely online or by phoning 01803 732542

Terms & Conditions

Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy

Room Types

Click here for more information on our types of bedrooms and facilities.

All rooms are comfortable single rooms, with a shared bathroom. All rooms are randomly allocated, unless you have medical needs relating to your room allocation. If you have such a need, let us know on your booking form before the retreat begins. 

Bursaries

Limited 50% bursaries offering reduced-price retreats are available for those experiencing financial hardship. Please contact the Programme Administrator at least 4 weeks in advance if you wish to apply.

Our bursary fund relies on donations. If you’d like to help another to go on retreat here through our bursary scheme, you can give online quickly and easily by clicking here

Available dates

2026 06 Sep

The Barn: Retreat for Young People (6 nights)

With Barn Coordinators