Quaker Accommodation UK
Other Quaker residential centres you might enjoy
A community of Quaker centres, each with its own unique character and ethos, but all adhering to the core aims of Hospitality, Integrity, Principle. These underline an open and rich welcome, which we hope will reward the casual visitor as well as the dedicated seeker of retreat.
Claridge House is a Victorian House based on 2 acres of woodland garden, in Lingfield, Surrey. Our charitable aim is Rest and Renewal and our courses and retreats are focussed to provide just that. B and B’s are welcome too. Quaker owned for 70 years and vegetarian all this time.
We have 10 guest rooms in the main house as well as the self-contained Courtyard Rooms. Two rooms for courses with access to our peaceful gardens, as well as the Quiet Room/Library which is used for Meeting for Worship on Sundays. Our hospitality and fare are renowned. We are accessible to Gatwick airport as well as Lingfield station (45min from Victoria); located in Surrey Hills and conveniently situated close to National Trust and English Heritage properties.
Glenthorne Guest House and Conference Centre, Grasmere, Cumbria
Glenthorne is a long established guest house and meeting place in Grasmere in the heart of the Lake District. It is open to anyone who is seeking
a relaxed welcoming atmosphere, comfortable accommodation, and delicious home-cooked meals in stunning surroundings. They aim to meet the differing needs of all their guests in a peaceful atmosphere with Quaker values and ethos
Swarthmore Hall, Ulverston, Cumbria
Experience a change of pace in the quiet, comfortable and beautiful setting of Swarthmore Hall. Building on its early Quaker heritage, it is a place of hospitality and a living spiritual centre. Ensuite accommodation (including two accessible suites) can be booked on room only, bed and breakfast or self-catering basis, with full board available for group bookings. There is a residential programme of courses, retreats and pilgrimages. Day visitors can enjoy tours of the 16th Century historic house, Barn Café, shop and gardens. The conference and meeting rooms are also available for hire with half day and day package options. For more information please look at our website:www.swarthmorohall.co.uk or contact us: 01229 583 204 or, info@swarthmoorhall.co.uk
Woodbrooke, Selly Oak, Birmingham
Woodbrooke is situated in 10 acres of organically managed grounds and is renowned for the warm, welcoming atmosphere. You can retreat from the hustle and bustle of the world whilst soaking up the atmosphere of George Cadbury’s former home. There are 60 bedrooms available with a mix of single, twin, double and family rooms. All have tea and coffee making facilities and a desk for working independently. Most of the bedrooms are ensuite, the rest have modern bath and shower facilities nearby. Woodbrooke is also a centre for learning and their programmes seek to support, inform and transform Quakers and others as individuals and communities.
Charney Manor, Charney Bassett, Wantage, Oxfordshire
Charney Manor is a 13th Century Conference and Retreat Centre owned by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in a village in the beautiful Oxford countryside. Charney Manor is open to guests for B&B and offers simple, comfortable accommodation of single and twin bedrooms. Most bedrooms are ensuite, with two having private bathrooms. All bedrooms come equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, towels, complimentary shower gel and most have exquisite views of the gardens.
Unlock the Power Within: Join us in the Experiment with Light!
Next event 31st of August, 7pm-9pm. Then the last Thursday of each month.
Refreshments available. All welcome.
Dear Friends and Seekers of Inner Light,
Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and profound transformation? If so, then I invite you to step into the realm of the Experiment with Light.
In a world bustling with noise and distractions, where constant demands tug at our attention and peace seems elusive, it becomes crucial to find a sanctuary within ourselves. The Experiment with Light offers just that—a space for us to reconnect with our inner wisdom and tap into the boundless wellspring of love and guidance that resides within.
Drawing upon a Quaker practice, the Experiment with Light is both simple and profound. It is a contemplative and meditative approach that allows us to delve deep into the core of our being, where true understanding and enlightenment await. You don’t need any special experience or background to participate; all you need is an open mind, a receptive heart, and a willingness to explore.
The Experiment with Light practice employs a series of gentle prompts or ‘queries’ that invite us to reflect upon and investigate particular aspects of our lives. Through these prompts, we gain insight into our relationships, personal challenges, and spiritual aspirations. We learn to identify the patterns that shape our thoughts and actions, and we uncover the hidden barriers that hinder our growth.
But the Experiment with Light is not just about self-reflection; it also nurtures our connection with the divine. As we open ourselves to the source of all life, we discover the sacred presence that pulses within and without. We begin to sense the interconnectedness of all beings and the universal wisdom that flows through us all.
In coming along to our Experiment with Light group, you will find a warm and welcoming community of fellow seekers who share a common goal: to deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. We gather to listen and be heard, to support and be supported, and to inspire and be inspired. Together, we create a safe and nurturing space where vulnerability is embraced and growth is celebrated.
Experiment with Light is often practised in Light groups, but it can also be undertaken as a solo discipline and it is not necessary to be a Quaker to practise it. Recordings of the different versions of the meditation are available on CD and as downloads from the Experiment with Light website. The website Experiment with Light also provides details of resources and events as well as the guided meditations. It also holds the latest online editions of the Experiment with Light Journal.
The Experiment with Light process can be separated into four main steps, once you have accepted an invitation to be still:
- Mind the Light (pay attention to what’s going on inside you, particularly where there’s something that makes you feel uncomfortable)
- Open your heart to the truth (don’t run away from anything that’s difficult or that you don’t want to face, but keep a little distance from it: ‘be still and cool in thy mind’)
- Wait in the Light (be patient, let the Light show you what is really going on, ask questions if what is being offered to you isn’t clear or you want to know more, and wait for the answers to come, don’t try to explain)
- Submit (accept and welcome the information or images, and the insights, dreams and perceptions that may come later, and allow them to show the truth)
After the Meditation of 40mins, we immediately have a 20min period of self reflection where we do not engage with others, but may get a brew, write, draw, or just have time to ourselves to absorb what came up. We then gather into small groups of three or four to enable sharing, no one is to offers advice or discuss what is said we are to allow the Light to work within us. We act as witness and listeners one to another this is all. You do not have to share, but may offer more time to others,15-20 mins. We then come back together as a whole group and time is given to hear contributions from your own experience to the bigger group if you wish to. There is then a brief plenary looking towards the next event and bringing the experiment to an end for this month.
The Experiment may: Help to cultivate a deep sense of inner peace and tranquillity. By quieting the mind, connecting with the divine presence within, and letting go of worries and concerns, participants can experience a profound sense of calmness and serenity.
Increased self-awareness: This practice encourages self-reflection and introspection, enabling participants to gain deeper insights into their own thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, that can lead to personal growth and positive transformation.
Enhanced spiritual connection: provides a space for individuals to connect with their spirituality and deepen their relationship with the divine. Through meditation and contemplation, participants can experience a sense of oneness with the universe and a deeper understanding of their spiritual path. This connection can bring about a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Aid emotional healing and release: allows individuals to dive into their innermost emotions and address any emotional wounds or traumas that may be holding them back, in keeping a little distance to enable clarity. By acknowledging and processing these emotions in a safe and supportive environment, participants can experience emotional healing and release, leading to a greater sense of emotional well-being and freedom.
It is an offering of community and support: of like-minded individuals who are also on a spiritual journey. Offering a space for sharing experiences, insights, and challenges, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. The collective energy of the group can provide additional support and encouragement on one’s spiritual path.
It is important to note that the benefits of the Experiment with Light practice will vary for each of us. It is a personal and experiential journey that allows individuals to explore their own inner landscape and connect with their spirituality in a way that resonates with them.
For more information please call Cindy at the Airton Meeting House on 01729 900018.
Airton Meeting House Update
Airton Quaker Meeting House: an oasis of peace and tranquillity for all
Services every Sunday at 2 pm… and simple overnight accommodation in the Dales
There it is. Easy to miss. Almost hidden in plain sight: the ancient Quaker Meeting House next to the Green in Airton in the Yorkshire Dales. In the course of its long history spanning around 400 years it has seen many ups and downs. Even since the Second World War its fortunes have waned and waxed.
For about two years during the Second World War, the Meeting House provided accommodation for two evacuee families from Liverpool. After the war, Quaker numbers and attendances at meetings for worship declined and the building survived more by neglect than by good care. At some stage, all the historic woodwork inside, including the ancient rustic oak screen, was painted in battleship grey.
Although the Barn continued to be used as a much-loved hostel by young Quakers and other youth groups, regular worship was discontinued and the Meeting House began to deteriorate fast, even though well-attended meetings for worship continued to be held two or three times a year. By 2000, the Meeting House was partly unroofed, its gallery dangerously unsupported, and there was much damp penetration through its cracked walls.
At that time, a few Quakers in the area who recognised the quiet simple beauty of the Meeting House decided to reinstate regular worship at Airton and, over the next twenty years, raised sufficient funds to repair and restore the property. After several strenuous fundraising campaigns, the Meeting House was re-roofed in 2005 with further restoration and repair work in 2008 and over the last two years. Over the same period all the other buildings within the curtilage including the cottage and the impressive wall along the road were restored. Once the whole complex had been largely returned to its eighteenth-century configuration and careful research had shown the unique historic significance of the buildings, Historic England awarded the Meeting House an upgraded II* listing.
Over the last twenty years or so, regular worship continued in the Meeting House every second and fourth Sunday at 3 pm. In addition, an increasing number of events took place here, ranging from drama and talks to much loved recitals. And then came Covid, making progress very difficult. When the wider community emerged from it all, things were different and more uneasy.
However, by the middle of 2022 all the work on the Meeting House had been completed. The old rustic oak screen had lost its nasty battleship-grey coat of paint and was now fully restored looking as good as it must have done over 300 years ago. New and more comfortable seating was installed and the life of this important Quaker Meeting took on a new upswing.
The uncertainties of Covid had shown many of us the importance of community, but also of having a place of safety, refuge, tranquillity and togetherness. Meetings for worship take place every Sunday at 3 pm, always followed at 4 pm by a convivial gathering in the Barn for tea/coffee and usually cake.
The Barn is also open again for simple overnight accommodation where our Friend in Resident will welcome guests and visitors from all over. The Barn upstairs is mainly geared towards families and groups whereas the separate accommodation downstairs is ideal for one or two people. Our website (https://airtonbarn.org.uk/) will be updated soon with more photos but do have a look, it already gives you a good idea what it will be like to stay with us.
Good Friday Walk 2023
Churches around Malhamdale organised again this year “A Walk in the Dale”. As it was last year about 35 people from around Airton joined in for parts of the route (and about 25 did the whole circuit). Avoiding the Good Friday traffic and spent a great day outdoors, with opportunities to talk, reflect and look to the coming year, and perhaps to see something different.
The group left Gargrave at around 9 am and arrive at Airton Meeting House around 11 am for refreshments and a short talk about the historic Meeting House by our Clerk, Wilf Fenten was informative. Some of Airton Friends joined them at this point on the walk, and others were in the Barn preparing for their arrival in Airton and provided tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and cake. Anyone who did not want to walk but to have have a closer look at Airton Meeting House were also welcomed with refreshment.
A big thank you to Sue McWhinney from St Michael the Archangel Church in Kirby Malham and husband Paul for their organisation and ongoing support throughout the event. A link to Sue’s post online below
Good Friday marked by mini Dales pilgrimage to three churches
First published on: 8th April 2023
Good Friday was marked by a mini pilgrimage through stunning Dales scenery by walkers from the churches of Gargrave, Coniston Cold and Kirkby Malham.
Some 30 ramblers took part in the 14 mile circular hike from St Andrew’s, Gargrave, along the Pennine Way to St Michael’s, Kirkby Malham and then looped back via St Peter’s, Coniston Cold.
Welcome refreshments en route, including hot cross buns, were provided at the 
Friends Meeting House, Airton, where member Wilf Fenten gave a talk and tour of one of the oldest Quaker buildings in the country.
Tea was served at St Michael’s before a steep climb out of Kirkby
Malham and on to St Peter’s for a rest and more buns at Coniston Cold village hall before the last leg back to Gargrave.
Revd Sue McWhinney, who organised the walk with her husband Paul, said the circular Easter walk may become a fixture: “It’s been a wonderful day visiting beautiful churches in beautiful places and calling into the Meeting House also made it an ecumenical event.
“It was the second Good Friday that we’ve done this walk and it would be great to do it every year.”
Airton Friends' Meeting House and Barn 