How to book
A retreat, although often highly enjoyable is also not the same as a holiday or workshop. A retreat situation is a place where the boundaries are defined specifically to create a real opportunity to step outside familiar patterns and explore different ways of being. Any retreat is a structure we give ourselves to for a set period of time putting us in touch with who we really are and can clarify what we truly value. The boundaries provide an essential structure for the retreat to support meditation, reflection, community living and other Buddhist practices which makes it both a challenging as well as a hugely rewarding experience. We ask you to come being aware and willing to support the conditions of our retreats.
Therefore, please read the following before making your booking:
Experience - Do make sure that you have chosen a retreat appropriate to your level of experience: Introductory, Regulars or Order members.
Children – Unfortunately for legal reasons, we unable to accommodate anyone under the age of 18 years old.
Health - It is essential that you inform us when you book if you have any physical, emotional or mental health issues which could effect your participation in the retreat. (Please also inform the retreat team when you arrive at Rivendell). Any information given will not be communicated to other retreatants and is treated in the strictest confidence.
Awareness - We ask you to refrain from alcohol, sexual activity and illicit drugs for the duration of your retreat. We also require you not to use mobile phones, laptops, iPhones and MP3 players, etc. in the retreat centre or grounds during the retreat.
Continuity - Please arrange it so you can attend the whole retreat from start to finish. It is disruptive to the atmosphere of a retreat to arrive late, leave early or to take excursions. For the duration of your retreat please come prepared not to use your car, if you bring one, and please stay within walking distance of the retreat centre.
Arrival - Please arrive between 5 pm and 7 pm on the first day of your retreat. (Retreats start with a light supper at about 7 pm).
Accommodation - Is upstairs in single-sex bedrooms shared with other retreatants, normally between 3 - 4 people per room. We are not usually able to offer single room accommodation. However, if you have a medical condition or disability, then please contact the office at the time of your booking to discuss your needs. It is also possible to camp, please let us know in advance if you intend to do so.
Sharing - Please inform us when you book if you are coming with a friend and wish to be accommodated in the same shared bedroom as them.
Food - Is healthy, tasty and vegetarian and is prepared for you by our team of volunteer cooks.
Restricted diets - Can only be catered for genuine medical reasons and we will need to be informed when you first book. To help our volunteer cooks, please keep special food requests to absolutely essential requirements only.
Helping out - You will be asked to help with domestic tasks; washing up, etc. and a clear up at the end of the retreat.
Departure - Weekend and Opening Windows retreats usually end between 3 and 4 pm. Yoga & Tai chi long weekends usually end at around 2pm. All other retreats end around noon on the last day.
Travel - Rivendell is easily accessible by car but parking is very limited. Trains run from London to Uckfield from where Rivendell is a short taxi ride away. There is also a bus service to Uckfield from Brighton and Tunbridge Wells. More detailed travel information will be sent with your booking confirmation and is available on the travel page of our website as is our lift sharing scheme.
Cost of retreats:
The cost of each retreat is marked in Bold. Please pay this rate if you possibly can to help support our activities. The second lower rate is only for those on a very low income; (e.g. the unemployed in receipt of benefits and students). Further concessions can sometimes be arranged.
Deposit and Payment
Bookings can be made by post with a cheque or by phone using a debit or credit card. (From 2012 there will also be a booking form on our web site).
No booking will be confirmed without a deposit.
- £40 deposit for weekends, midweek or long weekends
- £60 deposit for week long retreats.
All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
The balance is due no later than six weeks before the start of the retreat.
All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
If booking within six weeks of the start of the retreat, please enclose the full amount.
Cancellation
All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you cancel and we can't replace you, you will be required to pay half the total cost of the retreat.
Do let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel as this gives us a much greater chance of replacing you, and of you receiving more of a refund!
Cheques should be made payable to 'Rivendell Buddhist Retreat Centre'
How to Book
The easiest way to book is to use our booking enquiry form which sends us an email. We can tell you whether there are places, and if so, you can then ring to make payment.
Click here to print your own booking form which you can send by post. (Pdf format - requires adobe reader)
There is also a booking form in the Rivendell printed programme.
For Further Information and Enquiries:
Rivendell Bookings,
Rivendell Buddhist Retreat Centre,
Chillies Lane,
High Hurstwood,
East Sussex,
TN22 4AB.*
* To preserve the peaceful atmosphere of ongoing retreats we regret that we are not open to unannounced visitors.
Tel: 01825 733 764
Office staffed 1.30-5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Email:
