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 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
5 events,
Richard Rohr Retreat at Holland House
Textiles retreat at Launde Abbey
Carmelite retreat at the House of the Resurrection, Mirfield
7 events,
Spiritual Rest retreat at Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre
6 events,
-
-
5 events,
-
5 events,
Silent retreat with the School of Contemplative Life
St Brigid retreat at Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre
9 events,
-
4 events,
4 events,
6 events,
Longing for God retreat at the House of Prayer
5 events,
-
3 events,
Personal Retreat at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine
4 events,
5 events,
-
-
4 events,
Centering Prayer retreat at the House of Prayer
IGR at the Franciscan Centre, Ladywell
7 events,
Spirituality course at Sarum College
Pre-Lent clergy retreat at the House of the Resurrection, Mirfield
-
-
7 events,
-
8 events,
Empty Space retreat at the Bield at Blackruthven
-
7 events,
6 events,
Journaling retreat at Foxhill House
9 events,
-
3 events,
IGR at Whalley Abbey
6 events,
Spiritual Rest retreat at Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre
-
-
-
4 events,
-
5 events,
Beginners IGR retreat at Launde Abbey
-
8 events,
Labyrinth retreat at the Bield at Blackruthven
Lent Retreat at the House of the Resurrection, Mirfield
12 events,
-
10 events,
‘Moving beyond loss’ retreat at Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre
-
7 events,
-
8 events,
Felting retreat at Rydal Hall
-
-
8 events,
-
8 events,
Men Only retreat at Holland House
Lent Retreat at the Franciscan Centre, Ladywell
-
8 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

Cycling Fundraiser: In 2026, APR Administrator, Demelza Henderson, will be cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of the APR Bursary Fund. To find out more, or sponsor her, please click here.

There are still a few places left for the 2026 APR Spring Retreat at Sheldon Retreat Centre, with Helen Evans and Demelza Henderson. Click here to find out more or book your place. 

Click these links to read our latest e-newsletter, our 2025 Autumn Newsletter or the Minutes from our AGM in October.

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…

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 Mark Rance (Warden), and for all who live, work or seek refreshment at Wydale Hall in Yorkshire.

Are you looking for a new challenge?

There are vacancies for staff at the following APR Member Retreat Houses:
Residential Team member at Quiet Waters Retreat House
Office Administrator at the Sheldon Community
Warden at Edenham Regional House
Housekeeper at All Hallows Guesthouse, Norwich
Assistant manager at Hummingbird Retreat, Granada
Volunteer Coordinator at the Greenhouse at Barnes Close
Pastoral Worker at the Bield at Blackruthven
Part-time Chaplain at Launde Abbey
Housekeeper at the Bield at Blackruthven
Core Member at the Othona Community (West Dorset)
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.