Retreat and Conference Resources
Wydale Hall
Wydale Hall is the Conference and Retreat Centre of the Diocese of York. It is set in fourteen acres of gardens and woodlands, one mile north of the A170 main Scarborough to Pickering road.
Wydale Hall welcomes visitors using the hall as either a conference centre or a retreat house from groups or individuals, with a full programme of activities throughout the year.
Wydale Hall has 28 en suite bedrooms with tea and coffee making facilities. The old ballroom has been beautifully restored and is now used as a conference room or chapel with amazing views over the Wydale valley. It is a flexible space that can seat 30 people boardroom style, or 60 theatre style. The room has an altar and cross by renowned Yorkshire architect George Pace, so it can also be used as a space for worship
There is also another conference room on the ground floor that can seat 24 people boardroom style, or 50 theatre style. Upstairs, another large room has recently been restored to its original dimensions, and converted into a conference room which can seat 16 people boardroom style, or 20 theatre style, again with beautiful views over the valley. On the ground floor, a dedicated chapel and designated prayer area has been created with a new ash altar and cross, designed by Graham Andrews and Phil Thomas.
Wydale Hall prides itself on its flexible catering facilities, excellent food, and hospitality which is very important to all the staff. Other facilities include a lounge overlooking the gardens, bar, and wifi access. Outside, there are terraced gardens, a labyrinth, tennis court, and adventure playground.
Other Retreat Houses
Sneaton Castle
Sneaton Castle Centre, Whitby, is the retreat and
conference centre run by the Order of the Holy Paraclete, an Anglican religious
community, and is located next to their Mother house, St Hilda's Priory.
Holy Rood House
Holy Rood House, near Thirsk, is a retreat house with a
gentle Christian ethos of reflection, exploration and discovery, working
towards justice, peace and ecological awareness. They specialise in creative arts including
painting, crafts, pottery, weaving and music.
Holy Rood House is the place to turn to for counselling, psychotherapy,
art and drama therapy, stress management, massage and much more.
Noddfa
Noddfa is a wooden cabin, located in the
vicarage garden at Sutton on the Forest, and built by the Ecumenical Fellowship
of Aelred of Rievaulx. The building
houses the Fellowship’s Library, which consists of thousands of books on
ecumenical theology and spirituality, and acts as a place of peace, relaxation,
reading, prayer, reflection and refreshment. If
you are interested in using Noddfa, please call Revd. Chris Ellis on 01347
81025.
For more information, visit the Retreat Association website.
Quiet Gardens
The Cloister Garden, Holy Trinity North Ormesby: 01642 286122
The Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield: 01924 481920
The Frank Weston Quiet Garden at the Toft, Bridlington: 01262 678484
The Quiet Garden, Beverley Minster: 01482 868540
Westfield Farm, Sheriff Hutton: 01347 821762
Whitegables, Swainby, Northallerton: 01642 700782
For more information, visit the Quiet Garden Movement website.
