Brancepeth CastleA small, non-residential community based at Brancepeth Castle, offering retreats and spiritual direction.
The Community of the Well offers a quiet space for individuals or groups to retreat to for an hour, a day or a week.
There is a daily pattern of Anglican worship in the castle chapel, and spiritual direction as requested.
Daily Worship
Join us for a small, intimate Eucharist service, held most weekdays at midday: explore what the gospel reading of the day is saying to you today; pray, grow and deepen. Text ahead on 07504489089 to check the provision for the day.
Finding God by doing & being: Doobedoo Tuesdays
What’s on offer on DooBeDoo Tuesdays?
Is there something you would like to make from cloth, clay, or re-cycled items? Something new or something to mend and make do? Something to wear, to give away, or to enrich your home environment? Do you need encouragement to put the time aside for you for this? To be supported in developing skills – even ones you’ve hardly tried?
We will provide a few basic tools & materials, bring your own if you have them. There will be tea and coffee, there might be a sweet nibble.
Who are we?
Judith and Alison host this as members of The Community of the Well: a small Christian presence at Brancepeth Castle, looking to enable others to find more life in their life, to restore things of personal value: not least themselves, by tapping into the creative spirit that is often dormant but never absent from any of us.
Alison has qualifications in Upholstery & Soft Furnishing, and Painting & Decorating, and is trained in Spiritual Direction. Judith has life long experience in sewing and embroidery with a keen eye for details. She also has a background in teaching and hospitality, and is wonderful at listening and communicating.
Where & when?
The Bakehouse at Brancepeth Castle, Durham DH7 8DE (bus: Arriva 46X)
Dates: Tuesdays 6 and 20 February, 5 and 19 March, 2 and 16 April 2024, 1.30-4.30pm
Can I come?
Cost: Donation to cover materials used, and towards the work of CoW are welcome, according to ability to pay.
Numbers are limited so please notify us ahead if you would like to come: email retreats@brancepethcastle.org.uk or text to 07504489089
Themed Residential Retreats 2024
May 10-12
Bags of Hope
What gives you hope? And what is it anyway?
Make a bag and fill it with hope. Any/all skill levels.
June 7-9
Introduction to Silence
A beginners taste of working with silence and a spiritual director, as a doorway
into individually guided retreats.
June 28-30
Patterns for Life
Where are the rhythms in your life? Explore patterns: print fabrics. All levels,
materials provided.
September 13-15
Introduction to Silence
A beginners taste of working with silence and a spiritual director, as a doorway
into individually guided retreats.
Individual Retreats & Private Retreats
Simple living in a grand and beautiful setting: Brancepeth Castle is not a dedicated retreat house but a working building within which, peace is found. The community at Brancepeth Castle invite you to join the monastic-like rhythm of worship and practical work restoring fabric and building faith.
Whether you want to DO: actively participate in skilled or semi-skilled crafts (tuition is offered), or read, pray, reflect, walk and just BE, is up to you. Individuals and small groups can be accommodated for independent retreats, or with input on request from the Community of the Well.
We offer a small number of traditional, themed retreats, the rest of the year is booked flexibly - though only hardy folk should attempt the winter months!
Home-cooked (catered) and self-catering options available.
7 bedrooms, two of which are en-suite. Cost guide: circa £50.00 per night
Enquiries
Safeguarding
Community of the Well Ltd is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee Company Number 13436930
The Community of the Well takes the safety of all persons very seriously, and in line with Church of England practise, our safeguarding policies can be viewed here.
