Welcome to the Association for Promoting Retreats!

Are you looking for somewhere to go on retreat?

We can help!

On the interactive map above you will find all the APR member retreat houses, with contact details and a link to their website; we also have member houses in Ireland, Grenada, and South Africa. We support the work of several retreat leaders across the UK, many of whom can offer you an online retreat.

Promoting Christian Spirituality Through Retreats

The Association for Promoting Retreats exists to encourage more people to go on retreat and to support the ministry of our member retreat houses and retreat leaders. We also organise a biannual conference for Church of England diocesan spirituality advisers, and administer a bursary fund to enable individuals to go on retreat when cost is an obstacle.

Retreat Calendar

Calendar of Events

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

2 events,

Companions Week at the House of the Resurrection, Mirfield

6 events,

-

9 events,

-

8 events,

-
-

12 events,

Longing for God retreat at the House of Prayer
Birdwatching retreat with Even Sparrows
IGR at Abernethy Kilmalieu
-

11 events,

-

9 events,

Creative expressions course at Sarum College
-

7 events,

Walking retreat at Parcevall Hall
-
-
-

6 events,

-
-

4 events,

Buddhist-Christian retreat with the School of Contemplative Life
-

6 events,

7 events,

-

4 events,

-

9 events,

Silent retreat with the School of Contemplative Life
God in our Struggles retreat at Launde Abbey
-
-

6 events,

8 events,

-
-

5 events,

11 events,

Kingdom of God retreat at the House of Prayer
Lords Prayer retreat at the Franciscan Centre, Ladywell
-

15 events,

-

11 events,

IGR at the Franciscan Centre, Ladywell
Poetry retreat at Parcevall Hall

14 events,

Holistic retreat at Launde Abbey
Navigating transitions retreat at Sarum College
-
-

14 events,

Garden retreat at Rydal Hall

15 events,

Mid-life retreat at Sarum College
-
-

15 events,

-
-

10 events,

Sacred Wandering retreat at Whitchester Christian Centre

9 events,

-
-

12 events,

Poetry retreat at Rydal Hall
Fused Glass retreat at Whalley Abbey
Birdwatching retreat with Even Sparrows
Birdwatching retreat at Abernethy Kilmalieu
-

10 events,

-

10 events,

-
-

7 events,

Stillness retreat at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine
-

11 events,

Renewal retreat at Rydal Hall
Open Door Training weekend at the House of Prayer
Franciscan weekend at Hilfield Friary
Franciscan retreat at the Franciscan Centre, Ladywell

12 events,

At the APR we aim to:

  • promote the value of retreats and the work of retreat houses and retreat leaders
  • support the provision of opportunities for quiet and reflection within the context of everyday life
  • encourage training in retreat leadership and spiritual direction
  • facilitate renewal and growth in spirituality
  • enable the exploration of different expressions of Christian spirituality

As a membership organisation, we rely on subscriptions and donations to enable our work. If you are not already a member, please do consider joining APR, or you can make a one-off donation by clicking the ‘Donate‘ button at the bottom of the page.

Announcements

New President: We are delighted to announce that Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani has become our new President. Read the full press release here.

Autumn Retreat: Book now for the 2026 APR Autumn Retreat at Holy Rood House (N Yorks), from 20-22 October and led by Cameron Butland.

Cycling Fundraiser: You can still read about Demelza’s epic Land’s End to John O’Groats bike ride (and/or sponsor her) here

Spring E-Newsletter: Read all our latest news online here.

This week we are praying for...

Each week we pray for one of our member retreat houses or leaders. This week we are praying for Jane Franklin, and for all who attend her online Oasis Day retreats.

Searching for Retreats

If you are looking for an Individually Guided Retreat (IGR) or Quiet Day, simply type ‘IGR’ or ‘Quiet Day’ into the search function on our online calendar – there are dozens of both listed throughout the year! Or search by name for the place you would like to visit…

Are you looking for a new challenge?

Reflections Gardens (in Cannock Wood) is looking for a new owner! Find out more by downloading their advertising flyer here.

There are also vacancies for staff at the following APR Member Retreat Houses:

Kitchen Manager/Chef at St Katharine’s Parmoor
Housekeeping Assistant at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield
Housekeeper at St Antony’s Priory
Cook/chef at Shepherds Dene
Head Housekeeper and/or Office Manager at Abernethy Kilmalieu
Catering lead at Othona Community (Essex)
Residential Team member at Quiet Waters Retreat House
Housekeeper and/or Office administrator at the Sheldon Community
Warden at Edenham Regional House
Assistant manager at Hummingbird Retreat, Grenada
Pastoral Worker at the Bield at Blackruthven
Community member at the Sheldon Community

Membership

Please consider joining APR, and help us support retreat houses and extend the benefit of retreats to more people. See the membership page for more information.

Bursaries

Our Bursary Scheme is there to help our retreat house members enable more people to benefit from retreats, especially where cost might be an obstacle. See the Bursary page for details.

Resources

We regularly post articles and information on topics related to retreats, prayer, and Christian spirituality. We hope you will find something of interest; see the Resources Pages here.

Support the work of APR

As a membership organisation, we rely on subscriptions to enable our work. If you are not already a member, please do consider joining APR, so that we can do even more to promote retreats.

If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider Gift Aiding your donation. We are able to claim an additional 25% from HMRC on top of your donation, at no extra cost to you. All you need do is complete our online Gift Aid declaration form and we’ll take care of the rest.

How to Donate

If you would like to make a donation to support the work of APR, or specifically to the Bursary Fund, you can do so by means of the online donation button below.