Booking

Field side of the Retreat Centre building

Important things to Note before Booking:

Please note that the retreats at Amaravati are of a particular type which may not suit everyone. So  please think carefully about whether this is the type of retreat experience you are looking for at the moment. If you are new to the Amaravati Retreat Centre we encourage you to read through the more detailed information about the way retreats are held so you can make a more informed decision as to whether it is the right type of retreat for you at this moment.  (link to the webpage) Below is a summary of the most important things you need to know.

  1. These are group retreats, not individual, solitary or self-led retreats.                       
  2. There is a set schedule of about 8 hours a day which everyone is expected to attend.
  3. Participants are asked to attend the whole retreat from the beginning, and not to arrive late or take time away while the retreat is in progress (though you can of course leave if you want to!)
  4. Retreats are held in Noble Silence. This means that the participants are asked not to speak unless necessary. The teacher will give instructions and reflections, and answer questions.
  5. All participants are asked to give in their mobile phones and other devices at the start of the retreat (or to leave them at home).
  6. Participants are asked to keep the Eight Precepts, a set of ethical guidelines, (see below for details) for the duration of the retreat.
  7. Most of the accommodation is in dormitories. There are a few single rooms for those who have special needs such as mobility issues, serious illness etc.
  8. Food is vegetarian, mainly vegan, dairy and gluten free. We can offer simple alternatives to cater for allergies etc but cannot cater for dietary preferences.
  9. No food is served in the afternoon, and participants don’t eat after mid-day (unless there is a medical reason, in which case an evening snack will be provided).
  10. Participants are asked to dress and behave modestly (i.e. no tight or revealing clothing, make-up, perfume, jewellery) as is appropriate in a monastic setting.

If, having read through, you realise that this is not really the type of retreat you are looking for, or that you would not be able to comply with any of the above points, there are now many retreat centres around the UK offering a variety of different experiences, and we hope that you can find something which is more suitable to your needs. 

If you feel that this type of retreat would be suitable for you, please read on and then look at the bookings section to choose a retreat- and we look forward to seeing you at Amaravati

Please do not book a retreat unless you are committed to adhere to the guidelines above during the whole of that retreat

Completing the booking form

Booking opens three calendar months before the starting date of each retreat.

  • All bookings must be completed and submitted online.
  • You must be eighteen years or older, to apply for a retreat.
  • Everyone attending the retreat must complete a booking. 
  • If you have not booked a retreat online before, you will be asked to set up a password. This protects your information and allows you to manage your booking, check your position on the waiting list if you do not have a confirmed place, and edit or update your personal details. If you already have a password but have forgotten it, you will be given the option to receive a ‘Forgotten Password’ email.

The information that you give on the online booking form will be used in confidence, only by the Retreat Centre managers and administrators, and the teacher of the retreat. This information will not be shared with anyone else. We will only send you information relating to the retreat for which you have booked.

If you have any queries concerning the booking process or the retreat itself, please contact the Retreat Centre.

Allocation of places on the retreat

When a retreat opens for booking, requests are held in a pool. We generally try to reply within 7 days of your request, when we will send you an email to let you know whether you have a confirmed place on the retreat, or whether you have been added to the waiting list.

Reconfirming

Please respond to the Reconfirmation email as soon as possible to let us know you are still able to attend the retreat, or if you need to cancel your place.

We will send you a Reconfirmation email 3 weeks before the retreat starts if you have a confirmed place. You MUST respond to this email within 3 days to let us know if you are still able to attend the retreat or if you need to cancel your booking. If you do not respond within the specified time, you may lose your place on the retreat. If you need to cancel your booking please do so by clicking here: Cancel Your Retreat.

Cancelling a retreat booking

If you are no longer able to attend a retreat which you have booked, please cancel as soon as possible as it is often difficult to fill a cancelled place at short notice, especially on longer retreats.

Booking a place on a retreat and then failing to inform us of a cancellation may mean that you will not be accepted for future retreats.

We would also be grateful if you cancel your waiting list place as soon as possible if you know that you will not be able to attend the retreat should a place become available.

You can cancel your booking by clicking here: Cancel Your Retreat.

If you have any queries concerning your cancellation or the retreat itself please contact the Retreat Centre.

We hope you will be able to come on retreat with us and look forward to seeing you at Amaravati Retreat Centre.