Retreats at Buckfast Abbey
‘O God, you are my God, for you I long.’ (Psalm 62)
Monastery Retreat Quarters
Monks and nuns have welcomed travellers for 1500 years. They still do today at Buckfast. The remains of the great medieval Guest Hall bear witness to our predecessors’ commitment to this duty in past centuries.
Gentlemen are welcome to stay for a few days in the Monastery Retreat Quarters. Accommodation in the Retreat Quarters is offered for a maximum of 7 days and is intended for those wishing to attend a quiet spiritual retreat. For guests wishing to enjoy more of a holiday-style stay, Northgate House Hotel is more appropriate. Ladies and married couples are encouraged to contact stpetrocs@buckfast.org.uk to enquire about taking a retreat in the separate ‘St Petroc’s Retreat House’ – see below.
Guests are able to attend the Daily Office and Conventual Mass of the Monastic Community.
The Retreat Quarters are accessed by several flights of stairs, as is the Abbey Church from the Retreat Quarters. There is no lift in the Monastery for access to the Retreat Quarters.
Guests may leave a donation for their stay. Donations should cover the costs of the stay.
Roman Catholic Clergy should read the attached policy if engaging in any form of public active ministry within the territory of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Safeguarding is an integral part of Buckfast Abbey please see our Safeguarding policy on our web site, if you any safeguarding concerns please tell the guest master.
St Petroc’s – Retreat House
Retreats are available for women and married couples in St Petroc’s Retreat House; a comfortable, refurbished, 2 storey house close to the Abbey. Please note that there are no en-suite bedrooms, the house has shared bathrooms, kitchen and lounge.
Guests may leave a donation for their stay as arranged with Northgate House Hotel. Donations should cover the cost of accommodation & meals.
Please use the form below to make an enquiry to stay at St Petrocs
Guided Retreats at Buckfast Abbey 2024 / 2025:
Clergy Retreat: 24th – 28th Feb 2025: Join us for reflection and relaxation with fellow priests.
Creation Retreat: 19th – 23rd May 2025: St Francis spent time at a Benedictine monastery discerning his future, join us for this Creation Retreat in the light of Franciscan thought and mission.
Church Musicians’ Retreat: 28th Aug – 1st Sep 2025: A unique opportunity to learn more about the role of music in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church.
Women Religious Retreat: 27th Oct – 31st Oct 2025: Join us for these few days together inspired by the Benedictine monastic liturgy, the spectacular grounds at Buckfast and our shared experiences which will emerge through our conversations.
If you would like to attend one of our retreats, please complete our form:
Notice Board:
Public transport: There are mainline train stations at Newton Abbot and Totnes, with the number 88 bus connecting all three places. Unfortunately, this service does not run on Sundays and Bank Holidays, but our local taxi companies are used to providing transfers to and from the Abbey. For a truly unique experience, during the busier months, it may be possible to travel by steam train from Totnes to Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway!
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