Monasteries

Monasteries have long been places of prayer, hospitality, and sacred rhythm. From the early Celtic communities to the Benedictine abbeys of the medieval period, these spaces have shaped the Christian tradition through silence, service, and devotion. Today, monastic settings still offer Christian travellers moments of stillness and renewal.

This guide explores how to visit, experience, and appreciate monasteries and monastic life in the context of faith-based travel.

What Is a Monastery?

A monastery is a community where men or women live under religious vows, often following a structured spiritual rule such as the Rule of St Benedict. Their focus is on worship, work, study, and hospitality.

Some monasteries are active and inhabited by monks or nuns. Others are historical sites — preserved as ruins or repurposed buildings. Both offer insights into the Christian pursuit of God through community, discipline, and quietness.

Visiting Active Monasteries

Many active monastic communities welcome guests for visits, quiet days, or overnight stays. While each community varies, most extend hospitality in line with ancient Christian tradition.

What to Expect

  • Fixed prayer times: Often several services a day, from early morning to evening (e.g., Lauds, Vespers, Compline).

  • Silence: Some houses observe silent meals or designated quiet times.

  • Simple accommodation: Rooms are usually private or basic shared spaces.

  • Shared meals: Often eaten communally and sometimes in silence.

How to Book

  • Contact the monastery in advance. Many require bookings for stays or guided visits.

  • Be clear about your intentions — whether for rest, prayer, retreat, or curiosity.

  • Respect age restrictions or rules regarding children and families, which vary between communities.

Well-Known Monastic Guesthouses (UK)

Ampleforth Abbey, North Yorkshire

A Benedictine community offering retreats and individual stays, set in beautiful countryside.

Worth Abbey, West Sussex

Known for its welcoming guesthouse and retreat programme. The monks follow the Benedictine tradition.

Douai Abbey, Berkshire

Offers private retreats and quiet days with opportunities to join the daily offices.

Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield

An Anglican monastic house with strong liturgical worship and a theological college on-site.

Pluscarden Abbey, Scotland

A functioning Benedictine abbey in the Highlands, welcoming guests for silent retreat and reflection.

Staying in Monastic Ruins or Converted Buildings

While not inhabited, many former monasteries are still visitable or available for stays, often through trusts or private bookings.

  • Forde Abbey (Dorset): Now a private home with gardens and visitor access.

  • Buckfast Abbey (Devon): A reconstructed working abbey open to the public, with guest accommodation and facilities.

  • Llanthony Priory (Wales): Picturesque ruins set in the Black Mountains, ideal for walkers and pilgrims.

Converted monasteries may now serve as hotels, event spaces, or heritage centres — yet often retain a reverent atmosphere and architectural grandeur.

Monastic Retreats

Even if not staying overnight, a day retreat at a monastery can be spiritually nourishing.

What to Bring

  • Bible or devotional book

  • Notebook or journal

  • Comfortable clothes for walking or sitting in prayer

  • An open heart for stillness and listening

How to Prepare

  • Arrive early and observe silence on entering prayer spaces

  • Join the community for worship if invited

  • Avoid unnecessary conversation unless appropriate

Some houses also offer themed retreats — e.g. on prayer, discernment, or spiritual practices — led by members of the community.

Monasteries and the Christian Calendar

Monastic life follows the liturgical year closely. Visiting during certain seasons can offer a deeper connection to Christian rhythms.

  • Advent and Lent: Times of reflection, stillness, and fasting.

  • Holy Week and Easter: Rich in liturgy, processions, and extended services.

  • Feast Days: Celebratory liturgies honouring saints and martyrs.

Attending a monastery during these times can provide a powerful sense of participation in the wider Church.

Monastic Life for the Curious

If you’re interested in exploring monastic life more deeply — even just for a season — some communities offer:

  • Extended stays or sabbaticals

  • Vocation retreats to explore a possible calling

  • Oblate programmes for laypeople wishing to live by monastic values in daily life

These are usually best arranged after a shorter stay or visit to build relationship with the community.

Overseas Monastic Sites

For travellers abroad, monasteries continue to offer unique Christian experiences.

  • Mont-Saint-Michel, France – Historic abbey set on a tidal island.

  • Taizé Community, France – An ecumenical brotherhood known for youth gatherings and sung prayer.

  • Subiaco, Italy – Monastery founded by St Benedict, rich in history and iconography.

  • Meteora, Greece – Orthodox monasteries perched on rock pillars, accessible by path or steps.

Some welcome guests for short visits, while others offer structured pilgrim stays.

If you’d like, I can help curate a list of UK monasteries by region, or create a printable visitor guide for first-time guests. Just let me know how you’d like to expand or present this content.

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