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Meditation retreat: solo retreat in the grounds of The Barn
A solitary retreat experience in a secluded shepherd's hut on the Sharpham Estate
Summary
Duration: 3 & 6 nights - run weekly
For those with meditation experience
Single occupancy
Self-led
Max. Spaces: 1
Overview
A solitary, silent, and self-sufficient retreat in a small shepherd's hut in the grounds of The Barn Retreat Centre - for people who have participated in a Barn retreat, or a silent retreat elsewhere, and who are experienced meditators.
The Hermitage is located in a private area of woodland a short walk from the Barn’s main building. The space contains a double bed, meditation mat and cushion, table, chair and cooking equipment. Facilities include cold running water, a gas cooking stove, wood-burner and a compost loo nearby. There is no electricity except for solar-powered lights.
A hearty vegan lunch is available on weekdays. Supplies for other meals, which you will cook yourself, are provided.
You will be expected to create your own personal daily structure which includes meditation and two hours (or optionally more) working meditation in the garden. Support is given with this on your arrival.
We enter solitude, in which also we lose loneliness…True solitude is found in the wild places, where one is without human obligation. One’s inner voices become audible. One feels the attraction of one’s most intimate sources. In consequence, one responds more clearly to other lives. The more coherent one becomes within oneself as a creature, the more fully one enters into the communion of all creatures.- Wendell Berry
This retreat is for you if:
- You need rest, replenishment, renewal and inspiration
- You have an established meditation practice
- You'd benefit from reflection and connecting to nature and your creativity, far away from the busy-ness of your day-to-day life and work
- Are aged 18 and above
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
Schedule
You will be expected to create your own personal daily structure which includes meditation and 1-2 hours (or optionally more) work meditation on the land. Support is given with this on your arrival.
Please depart by 10am on your final day.
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The Hermitage solitary retreat venue at Sharpham
Experience a solitary nature-immersion and your own mindful contemplation in a stunning setting.
The Hermitage is our solitary retreat venue, a Shepherd's Hut located in beautiful woodland within the peaceful River Dart valley - part of the South Devon National Landscape.
You'll feel far away, but you'll be close to our Barn retreat centre, which has welcomed retreatants since 1986.
The Hermitage features a double bed, sink and hob, solar lighting and a deck to sit out on. It is served by a compost loo.
Food is provided to make your own breakfast and evening meal, and a daily home-cooked lunch is provided by The Barn Retreat.
Showers can be taken at certain times in The Barn.
Costs
You can pay a deposit of £100 to secure your place, then the remaining amount will need to be paid four weeks before you are due to come on retreat.
If you are booking your retreat with less than four weeks until you’re due to arrive, then you are required to pay the whole amount.
You don’t need to contact us to ask to pay the subsidised rate, you can determine this for yourself and select whichever option feels more suitable when you book online.
Solo retreats follow the flow of the group retreats at The Barn, therefore they are normally six-night retreats, with occasional stays of different durations available.
It is possible to stay for fewer nights than this, but there isn’t a discounted rate for that.
Select from the following rates:
| Subsidised rate | Standard rate | Supporter rate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A heavily subsidised rate for those on low incomes who would otherwise be unable to attend. |
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 retreat venue. |
For those able to pay a little more, you'll make a wider, lasting impact, helping to preserve the estate and its wildlife, sustain the charitable work of the Trust and ensure future participants can benefit from the peace and renewal we offer. |
||||
| Up to March 2027 | £295 | £395 | £495 | |||
| 4 nights | 6 nights | 4 nights | 6 nights | 4 nights | 6 nights | |
| From April 2027 onwards | £250 | £325 | £295 | £395 | £395 | £495 |
Terms & Conditions
Available dates
At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world.
We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, outdoor learning and the arts.
© 2026 Sharpham Trust | The Sharpham Trust Sharpham House, Ashprington, Totnes, Devon, UK TQ9 7UTUseful Links
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