| Lindisfarne | UK National and Regional | International |
You can download a PDF file with details of all retreats at the Open Gate for 2020 here, but note the statement below!
In light of Government advice, and in order to protect the health and well-being of our guests, staff and island residents, the Trustees have taken the decision to close the Open Gate with immediate effect until 1st July 2020.
This date will be kept under close and regular review by the Trustees as this unprecedented situation develops.
We encourage all our visitors to follow all Government and NHS guidance.
The retreats below will be at the Open Gate, Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2SD
Telephone: 01289 389222
Please note that the Open Gate is a listed building with limited access, different levels and no bedrooms on the ground floor. If you have mobility or disability needs, please contact us before booking so that we can do our best to accommodate you. If necessary, we may well be able to find other accommodation on the island that will meet your needs, ensuring you can still take part in retreats at the Open Gate.
The retreat costs shown below exclude accommodation. To calculate total costs please take the B&B and room cost from the table, multiply it by the number of nights of your stay and then add the retreat cost listed below. The total cost will include all other meals.
| Type of room and occupancy | Cost per night including B&B |
|---|---|
| Double-bedded en-suite room | 2 people £95 1 person £60 |
| Twin-bedded en-suite room | 2 people £95 1 person £60 |
| Single room NOT en-suite, two people share bathroom | 1 person £50 |
| Double-bedded, en-suite bedsit with kitchenette | 2 people £105 1 person £75 |
| Full Members of the Community (Voyagers) | 20% discount on the above prices |
We understand that sometimes your plans may change for several reasons, but if you cancel, and we do not find anyone to take your place, we still incur costs so the following rules apply depending on the timing of your cancellation relative to the date of your expected arrival:
Total Fees means accommodation charges plus, if applicable, retreat fees.
Because of this, it may be wise to take out travel insurance.
Event ID: 286
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-04-17 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-04-20
Leadership: Mark Winter of Even Sparrows
Theme: Quiet worship, biblical reflections and guided bird-watching walks. For beginners and keen birdwatchers alike.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £235+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 287
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-04-20 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-04-24
Leadership: Kenneth McIntosh
Theme: How the wisdom of Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism can enrich our practice of Celtic Christian faith.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 288
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-05-11 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-05-15
Leadership: Elizabeth Scott
Theme: Listen to God whilst quietly hand-stitching on pre-loved materials and joining in the island's rhythm of prayer. No stitching experience required, and all materials provided.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 289
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-05-18 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-05-22
Leadership: David Cole
Theme: The teachings and writings of this monk seem to influence so many modern writers. Come and discover how his thoughts from the mid-20th century are deeply relevant to the world today.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 290
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-05-22 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-05-25
Leadership: Mark Winter of Even Sparrows
Theme: Quiet worship, biblical reflections and guided birdwatching walks. For beginners and keen birdwatchers. Led by Mark Winter of Even Sparrows
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £235+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 291
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-06-01 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-06-05
Leadership: Paul Swinhoe & Maureen Simpson
Theme: An opportunity to explore the wildlife and natural history of the island, and the relationship between art, prayer and spirituality through the use of various mediums. Creative people of all types and abilities welcome, some materials provided, but feel free to bring your own too. We will also be doing some walking and bird-watching. Download the flyer to find out more.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Download a flyer for this event by right clicking here, and selecting Save As (or the equivalent, if you are using an Apple Mac!)
Event ID: 292
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-07-13 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-07-17
Leadership: Sue Clarke
Theme: Care for Creation is the sixth waymark of the Way of Life of the Community of Aidan and Hilda. We will look at the wonders of creation, the Biblical basis for caring for it, the threats to our environment and what we can do personally to ensure we save and care for God's amazing world. Using the backdrop of the island's nature and beauty, we will wonder, learn, reflect and be encouraged to make a difference in our care for creation, as well as engaging in creative activities and worship to celebrate nature and its Creator.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 293
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-07-27 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-07-31
Leadership: Maggi Deimel & Sue Ratcliffe
Theme: One of the most direct ways of becoming aware of the presence of God within and around us is to spend some days in a dedicated silence. Many saints chose this for periods of their lives, including Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. So we invite you to taste some of the riches of this spiritual tradition, surrounded by the beauty and peace of his Holy Island. The house will be in silence as far as possible, including mealtimes, and Maggi or Sue will offer you the opportunity to meet individually once a day to explore how the activity of the Spirit is penetrating and guiding your heart and mind. The Ignatian method of imaginative contemplation will be the foundation of the retreat – a short experience of it will be given in the introductory session –but then the silence may lead where it will, “ the silence that lives in the grass/on the underside of each blade/and in the blue space between the stones.”
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 294
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-08-10 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-08-14
Leadership: Elizabeth Scott
Theme: Listen to God while quietly hand-stitching on pre-loved materials and joining in the island’s rhythm of prayer. No stitching experience required all materials provided.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 295
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-08-31 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-09-04
Leadership: Rev Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian CA&H.
Theme: Celebrate the lives of Aidan, Hilda and other inspired Celtic Christians through studies, activities and reflections.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 296
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-09-04 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-09-07
Leadership: Mark Winter of Even Sparrows
Theme: Quiet worship, biblical reflections and guided birdwatching walks. For beginners and keen birdwatchers.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £235+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 297
Connecting with the Natural World
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-09-14 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-09-18
Leadership: David Cole
Theme: Many of the Christian mystics were deeply connected to the natural world and had Divine encounters through it. Come and find a deeper more Divine connection with nature.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 298
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-09-21 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-09-25
Leadership: Ruth Stock
Theme: ‘Anxiety weighs down the human heart’. (Proverbs 12.25) Does Life (including church life) stress you out? We’ll explore Mindfulness-based approaches to reducing anxiety and stress from a Christian perspective. There will be sitting and moving practices, teaching, poetry, silence and the opportunity to explore Lindisfarne. This is not a therapeutic course but there will be opportunity for personal exploration and one-to-one conversations. It is suitable for beginners and experienced Mindfulness practitioners.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 299
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-10-05 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-10-07
Leadership: Simon Reed & Scott Brennan
Theme: Part 2 of 2 residential courses. Please contact venue for more information.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £100+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 300
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-10-09 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-10-12
Leadership: Mark Winter of Even Sparrows
Theme: Quiet worship, biblical reflections and guided birdwatching walks. For beginners and keen birdwatchers.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £235+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 301
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-10-26 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-10-30
Leadership: Penny Warren
Theme: This retreat will be an opportunity to explore the Celtic love of Trinity.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 302
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-11-09 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-11-13
Leadership: Rev Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian CA&H.
Theme: “Ray Simpson explores themes from his book ‘Before we say Goodbye’, and how in order to end well, we need to live life to the full. Our ‘Departure Lounge’ includes poems, music, prayer, blessings, reconciliation and Jesus’ promises”
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Event ID: 303
Preparing ourselves for Christmas
Times: Starting at 16:00 on 2020-11-16 and finishing at 10:00 on 2020-11-20
Leadership: David Cole
Theme: Discover the ancient Celtic Christian focus of Advent, and transform your lead up to Christmas into something deeply spiritual.
Catering: Full Board
Cost: £250+
Booking: Telephone or Email the Open Gate
Contact: The Open Gate Team
Telephone: 01289 389222
Shepherds Stream is located at Penant Melangell, a site of ancient pilgrimage from Celtic times. Peter and Gill Burton (two of our Explorers) run a small retreat centre in this most beautiful welsh valley. Visit their website at http://www.shepherdsstream.org.uk/ for more details.
The Community of Aidan and Hilda is sponsoring a week long summer school in Durham between 7th and 14th August 2019. You can take part in it over the whole week or for a single day depending on your commitments and preferences.
You can find full details of it here and download a flyer here.
| UK Region | Covering |
|---|---|
| The whole of Scotland | |
| Cumbria (including the Isle of Man), Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire | |
| Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham | |
| The historic county of Yorkshire plus parts of North Lincolnshire | |
| The whole of Wales | |
| Staffordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands Metropolitan County, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire | |
| Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Most of Lincolnshire, Rutland, and Northamptonshire | |
| Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex | |
| Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset | |
| Greater London area | |
| Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent and the Channel Islands | |
| Northern Irish Counties within the UK |
| Country | National Website |
|---|---|
| aidanandhilda.org.au | |
| www.anamcara.no | |
| www.aidanandhilda.us/ | |
