Led by Revd Lawrence Basham, Chaplain of Rydal Hall
Monday 30 March – Thursday 2 April 2026
Price: From £380 to £460 – single occupancy
From £620 – £780 – double occupancy
“But all his acquaintances… stood at a distance, watching these things.” – Luke 23:49
A Holy Week of Stillness, Witness & Wonder
This gentle, reflective retreat invites you to experience Holy Week from the edges of the story — alongside the women, the bystanders, the hesitant, and the silent ones who watched from afar.
Set in the peaceful beauty of Rydal Hall, this is a space to slow down, pray deeply, and listen for God in Scripture, silence, and creation.
No experience is needed — only a willingness to be still.
What the Retreat Offers
• Morning and evening prayer
• Guided meditations on Gospel figures who “stood at a distance”
• Spacious time for walking, journaling, art, or silence
• Gentle group reflections
• Daily Eucharist or contemplative worship
• A warm, poetic, unhurried atmosphere
Daily Rhythm (Simplified)
8:00 Morning Prayer
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Themed reflection & guided meditation
11:30 Quiet space / creative response
12:30 Lunch
13:00 Rest, walking, or prayer ministry
16:00 Optional group sharing
17:00 Eucharist or contemplative worship
18:30 Supper
20:00 Candlelit reflection or Compline
Day-by-Day Themes
Monday – The Woman Who Pours
A nameless woman anoints Jesus with extravagant love.
Theme: Beauty, courage, costly generosity.
“Sometimes the ones without a voice change the atmosphere.”
Tuesday – The One Who Watches
Peter follows at a distance, caught between longing and fear.
Theme: Hesitation, grace in the shadows.
“Even from afar, grace finds us.”
Wednesday – The Ones Who Keep Watch
Gethsemane: the weary, the overwhelmed, the waiting.
Theme: Staying present to pain and presence.
“To watch is not to fix — it is simply to stay.”
Thursday – The One Who Serves
Jesus kneels to wash feet.
Theme: Humble service, blessing in hidden acts.
“The margins are where love bends low and kneels.”
Retreat Style
Expect Scripture, silence, poetry, simple worship, and natural elements that mirror Holy Week’s themes.
Music may include Taizé and quiet instrumental pieces. Art materials will be available for gentle creative exploration.
Practical Details
• Dates: 30 March – 2 April 2026
• Location: Rydal Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria
• Leader: Revd Lawrence Basham
• Includes: accommodation, meals, guided sessions, creative resources, access to chapel and grounds
“To Watch Is to Love”
Come and keep watch this Holy Week.
Come with your questions, your weariness, your wonder.
From the margins, discover again that you are seen, loved, and held.
