Buddhism & Meditation Weekend
The Winter Retreat
Challenge yourself to go deeper
The ten-day Winter Retreat is a vital opportunity, in this darkest time of the year, to open up to a new kind of consciousness.
The turning of the new year cries out to be an important transition in our life, one in which we re-commit ourselves to changing ourselves and transforming the world – rather than watching Netflix, eating too much, and falling asleep in front of the TV.
Buddhism shows us that we have infinite, blissful potential, but we’re distracted from that by the forces of habit, superficiality and inertia. We need to put ourselves in radically different conditions to experience the potential of our mind – ones that support us in discovering a new vision of reality.
What to expect
On this retreat, you will:
- Confront your mind directly and learn how to change it.
- Take up a worshipful attitude to the universe.
- Relate to others in a more authentic way.
- Experience the natural world in a magical, animistic way.
Here’s what it will look like:
- Learn and practise Buddhist meditation, taught by committed Buddhist teachers.
- Perform Buddhist ritual and worship.
- Take part in sustained periods of silence.
- Study Buddhism in discussion groups.
- Live on retreat close to nature, amidst the rolling Malvern Hills.
- Celebrate the turning of the year in a meaningful way.
This retreat is for 'serious newcomers'. If you take life seriously and want to make the most of it, this retreat is for you. Maybe you’ve dipped into meditation or mindfulness apps but sensed there’s something deeper waiting to be discovered. You may feel that ordinary life, as it’s often presented, isn’t enough. Here you’ll have the chance to experience Buddhism and meditation as a living whole – not just ideas or practices on a screen – and to challenge yourself to grow, opening to the possibility of a truly Buddhist life.
Newcomers or those in their first two years of practice are welcome on this retreat (if you’ve been on the Winter Retreat before, we ask that you book the Winter Intensive Retreat at Vajrasana instead).
We’d recommend you come for ten days for the full experience -- or you’re welcome to come for the first five days over Christmas or the second five days over New Years Eve.
This retreat will be at Adhisthana in the Herefordshire countryside. This site is the home of the Triratna Buddhist movement, and where the founder, Bhante Sangharakshita, spent his last days and is buried. To find out more, visit our Bhante page.
If you have any questions about the retreat, feel free to reach out to the Bookings Manager, Liam (bookings@lbc.org.uk). We look forward to seeing you on the retreat!
Life on Retreat
A Buddhist retreat is a chance to escape the noise and complexity of modern life and deepen your experience of yourself and of the world around you. It’s not a holiday or a spa, however most people come away refreshed and inspired.
Retreat life is simple, with a daily programme to follow. There will be periods of meditation, talks on aspects of Buddhism and simple rituals as well as free time for rest and walks in the countryside. As the retreat progresses there will be more meditation and longer periods of silence to allow for reflection. On most retreats there will also be small groups led by a team member in which you can discuss your experience of the retreat. Our retreats are known for being friendly, inspiring and enjoyable.
Accommodation & Food
Living communally is an important aspect of being on retreat and you’ll be sharing rooms and meals with others, as well as practising together in the shrine room. It’s often a surprise just how warm the atmosphere of communal life can become on retreat and how supportive it can be for individual practice.
The Winter Retreat at Adhisthana caters for up to 130 people, with most accommodation in shared single-sex bedrooms. We require couples to stay in separate rooms from one another so do let us know when you book if you’re coming with a partner.
We serve three tasty vegan meals a day. Toast, biscuits, fruit and hot drinks are available via self service at any point on retreat. Medical dietary requirements such as common intolerances and allergies can be accommodated. Upon booking, you will have an opportunity to provide these details. If you’d like to discuss your dietary requirements before booking a retreat, please get in touch with us. Please note that food brought with you to the retreat centre cannot be stored or prepared in our kitchen.
Not open for booking yet
What people say
Anwar
Great location (less than 5 min walk from Baker St station), and spotless studio apartment with all the facilities you could ask for! Will gladly stay here again.
Holly
Great apartment centrally located-everything was easily accessible with the underground close by. There are many cute shops and restaurants in the area.
Tamille
The apartment is very great, excellent location, and have everything that we need. Beatrix is a very nice host, and thoughtful.
Not open for booking yet
How to get there
For all retreats we provide an optional return coach from the London Buddhist Centre in Bethnal Green, which you can add for £50 when you book.
Alternatively you can read about other ways to get to Adhisthana below.
Travel by Car
Adhisthana has car parking facilities which can be used for the duration of a retreat. Please note that there are no electric vehicle charging stations on site.
Address: Adhisthana, Coddington Court, Coddington, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1JL
Travel by Train
The nearest stations are Colwall and Ledbury, both about 5 miles away from Adhisthana. We advise you to go to Ledbury if you need a taxi (the local taxi companies are mostly Ledbury-based). You need to book a taxi in advance to meet you from either station as there are no taxi ranks. Ask to be taken to Coddington Court. The fare is approximately £15.
It is possible to walk from Colwall via the roads and this will take approximately one hour. Fields and public footpaths may be impassable during winter months.
Taxi options
Ledbury Taxi Service – 01531 633596 / 07836 777196
G and T Taxis – 07922 126136 / 01531 636644
Address: Adhisthana, Coddington Court, Coddington, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1JL. The taxi driver will probably know it as Coddington Court.
We recommend booking taxis well in advance. If you are unable to book a taxi, get in touch using the numbers at the bottom of this email and we’ll try to help.
Walk from the Station
Things to know
Practical Information
Practical Information
We will ask you to turn off all electronic devices and not contact anyone outside the retreat
We will provide a number which you can give to anybody who might need to contact you in an emergency
No alcohol or recreational drugs are allowed
We will ask that you don’t bring news media with you or work to do
Smoking and vaping is allowed only in designated places
We will provide further information when you book, including a list of the things that we suggest you bring with you
Mental Wellbeing & Accessibility
Mental Wellbeing & Accessibility
Please bear in mind that all of our retreats feature extended periods of silence and the challenge of engaging with our minds, our habits and the big questions of life and death. Although it is a very supportive environment, we cannot offer any therapeutic help, so if you’re currently experiencing mental health difficulties, grief or any other strong or upsetting states of mind, please consider if a retreat is right for you at present and whether there are other supports you need in your life. If you’re unsure, please email or call us directly before booking.
Adhisthana caters for most accessibility requirements. If you have any particular access needs for a retreat please read more information below and feel free to get in touch to discuss how we can accommodate you.
Payment & Cancellations
Payment & Cancellations
If money prevents you from booking on a retreat then we’d like to try and help. There are a number of ways we might do that including a bursary fund.
Our retreats are not refundable or transferable. If you cancel your retreat place more than a month in advance, then the amount paid minus a £100 cancellation fee will be returned to you.
About the London Buddhist Centre
The London Buddhist Centre is at the heart of a varied and vibrant community of Buddhist practitioners in East London.
We teach Buddhism and meditation in a way which is relevant to contemporary life.
We host regular classes and courses at our centre in Bethnal Green as well as retreats at Vajrasana in rural Suffolk.
See our full schedule.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions about our retreats, you can email bookings@lbc.org.uk or call us on 02087099978 (10am-5pm weekdays).
