Creating Mental Space
– learning to truly relax -
Away Retreat at Thornby Hall
Friday, 1st - Sunday 3rd May
Course details
🎟️ From £50 - £360
📆 When: Friday, 1st May - Sunday, 3rd May
📍 Where: Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre, Thornbury Hall
Reserve your place below or by calling: 01384 569956
When did your mind last have space to breathe?
In the midst of our hectic lives, our minds are often overwhelmed and cramped by an excess of information and stimulation. As a result, we can feel drained, stressed, and anxious.
This weekend retreat offers a quiet pause - a chance to slow down, reduce mental pressure, and step back from habitual distractions through guided meditation.
With clear, guided sessions suitable for beginners, you’ll learn how to loosen unhelpful thought patterns, create inner space, and experience a natural sense of ease and deep relaxation.
What can retreat offer you?
In, ‘How to Transform Your Life’ Geshe Kelsang has this to say about quieting the mind in meditation:
“Difficult situations will become easier to deal with, we will naturally feel warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships with others will gradually improve.”
Retreat sessions will be a manageable mix of teaching and meditation, focusing on Buddha’s advice for finding peace within our own mind. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions with the Teacher.
Between sessions you can choose to spend time alone, walking in Nagarjuna Centre’s beautiful grounds, or enjoy some delicious treats and good coffee in the World Peace Cafe. By the time the retreat draws to an end with lunch on Sunday you’ll be a new person.
The Teacher for this retreat
Known for his thoughtful nature, Gen Kelsang Khechog presents Buddha’s teachings with relatable clarity, showing how to connect these beautiful meditations with the realities of modern daily life.
The retreat venue
Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre, Thornby Hall is set in the beautiful countryside of Northants where it serves as a special place of peace and refuge.
Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre has beautiful meditation rooms, a relaxing World Peace Café, extensive gardens, and comfortable, well appointed, guest rooms. It’s home to a diverse community of people of all ages, living in accordance with Buddha’s teachings.
Choose your accommodation
All of these prices include accommodation and meals.
The Stables:
- Single room, en-suite £200
- Twin/Double room, en-suite £360
The Stables - Click for more information about The Stables on Nagarjuna’s site:
Main building:
- Single room, en-suite £200
- Single room, shared bathroom £170
- Twin room, shared bathroom £300
Dormitories (With bunk beds - shared with working visitors):
Dormitories (With bunk beds - shared with working visitors):
- Female dormitories, en-suite £120 per person
- Male dormitories, with close access to shower & toilet in the same building £120 per person
For information on rooms with Disabled access, please contact us at here, or call 01384 569956.
Meal options: vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free
Breakfast:
A breakfast basket is provided if you’re staying in The Stables
‘Help yourself’ in the breakfast area, before the 1st session of the day, for people staying in the main building - please wash your dishes and clear up after yourself
Lunch, 1pm:
Lunch is in the dining room with residents & working visitors,
Wash-Up-As-You-Go / Volunteer opportunity - pot-wash in the kitchen
Supper, 6pm:
Supper is in the dining room with residents & working visitors,
Wash-Up-As-You-Go / Volunteer opportunity - pot-wash in the kitchen
Retreat schedule
During the weekend, the Centre remains in service to the wider public, and the retreat takes place alongside its normal activity. We will be sharing the grounds and café with residents, volunteers, and members of the public, including those visiting with dogs.
Friday, 1st May
Registration & Check-in: 3pm - 5:30pm
Supper: 6pm - with residents & working visitors in the dining room
Wash-Up-As-You-Go / Volunteer opportunity - pot-wash in the kitchen
Introductory Talk: 7:30pm - 8:30pm in the Meditation Room
Saturday, 2nd May
Breakfast: In your room in the Stables or in the breakfast area by the dining room
Please wash and dry your own crockery and cutlery
Retreat Session 1: 10am - 11am in the Meditation Room
Break: the World Peace Cafe will be open or enjoy a walk in the beautiful grounds
Retreat Session 2: 11:45am - 12:45pm in the Meditation Room
Lunch: 1pm - with residents & working visitors in the dining room
Wash-Up-As-You-Go / Volunteer opportunity - pot-wash in the kitchen
Retreat Session 3: 4:30pm - 5:30pm in the Meditation Room
Supper: 6pm - with residents & working visitors in the dining room
Wash-Up-As-You-Go / Volunteer opportunity - pot-wash in the kitchen
Chanted Prayers: 7pm - Wishfulfilling Jewel
Option to attend Saturday only - make your booking below
Sunday, 3rd May
Breakfast: In your room in the Stables or in the breakfast area by the dining room
Please wash and dry your own crockery and cutlery
Retreat Session 4: 10am - 11am in the Meditation Room
Break: the World Peace Cafe will be open or enjoy a walk in the beautiful grounds
Last Session 5: 11:45am - 12:45pm in the Meditation Room
Lunch: 1pm - with residents & working visitors in the dining room
Wash-Up-As-You-Go / Volunteer opportunity - pot-wash in the kitchen
Check-out by 2pm
Friday, 1st May to Sunday, 3rd May
Accommodation options in the drop down list below
Balance due: Friday, 20th March
BOOKING
Friday, 1st May to Sunday, 3rd May
Accommodation options in the drop down list below
Saturday, 2nd May only / no accommodation
Includes: Retreat Sessions 1 - 3, Lunch & Supper - see retreat schedule above for more details You are welcome to stay for Wishfulfilling Jewel prayers at 7pm