St Oswald's, Whitby
About a 10 minute drive from Whitby is St Oswald’s... a beautiful place to retreat, amidst gentle countryside where you may well spot the odd deer, owl, rabbit... It’s a place of real welcome, a comfortable and homely place to relax and just ‘be’. The main house has a lounge (home to a log fire), a library, a prayerful chapel with images of Saints Oswald, Hilda, Aidan and Cuthbert gracing the space. In the grounds there is a summer house, the Hild Room and an art room.
Retreat Sessions
Our time of retreat will include a rhythm of prayer, retreat sessions, spiritual reflection, time to be creative, relax (afternoons are free and you may wish to stay in the quiet of St Oswald's and enjoy afternoon tea and cake, or possibly visit Whitby, the picturesque fishing villages of Robin Hood's Bay, Staithes, the lovely beaches of Sandsend, Runswick) - all of which are not far away. Retreats will reflect on the wonderful Saint Hilda of Whitby and Celtic Christianity, including reflection on St Hilda as a 'necklace of light', her name which means 'struggle' or 'battle' and her healing well which was seen as a place for the healing of the eyes - a rich symbol in itself! All this symbolism is an opportunity to explore Christian spirituality in a creative and prayerful way. On the final evening, through the Celtic imagination, we will encounter the cowherd Caedmon, who Hilda encouraged so much that he became one of England's most famous poets!
Costs
The cost (on request) includes all retreat sessions, an optional spiritual direction session, accommodation and 3 meals a day (vegetarian food requested). There are 7 available places and all stay in the main house (retreat leader and 7 retreatants, so a group of 8). The lovely 8 rooms each have keys to the doors and a key for the main house door. Each room also has a sink. Bedding, towels and hand soap are provided.There are no ensuites, however there are 4 toilets, 2 walk-in showers and a bath with a shower over it, close to the rooms. Retreatants must arrange their own transport to and from St Oswald’s. This is what they say on their website:
We offer a space for you to come and just ‘be’: a place to come home to God, ourselves, others and creation.
See the following link to St Oswald’s website:
St. Oswald's Community – Welcome home… (stoswalds.community)
Address: St Oswald’s Community, Woodlands Drive, Sleights, Whitby YO21 1RY
DATES for 2023:
2023 Monday 12th June leaving Friday 16th June (4 nights) Fully booked, but if needed, there is another room available for 1 or 2 persons in accomodation right next to the main building.
2023 Monday 6th November leaving Friday 10th November (4 nights)
3 places available.
DATES FOR 2024:
2024 Monday 17th June leaving Friday 21st June (4 nights)
7 places available.
2024 Monday 11th November leaving Friday 15th November (4 nights)
7 places available.
Holy Island Lindisfarne day retreats are also available, tailor-made for your group.