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. This can put 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 the experience both challenging and hugely rewarding. We ask you to come being aware of this and willing to support the conditions of our retreats.
Therefore, please read the following Terms and Conditions before making your booking:
Experience - Ensure you have chosen a retreat appropriate to your level of experience: Introductory, Triratna, Triratna Intensive or Order members. If your experience level is not appropriate we reserve the right not to accept a booking, in which case any payment will be refunded.
Age Requirement - Bookings can only be accepted if you are aged 18 years or over.
Health - You agree to inform us when you book of any physical, emotional or mental health issues which could affect your own or others’ 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 smoking, alcohol, sexual activity and illicit drugs whilst on retreat. Please note that there is no wi-fi or internet access available for retreatant's use at the retreat centre. We also require you not to use mobile phones, laptops, iPads, smart phones, MP3 players, etc. in the retreat centre or grounds during the retreat.
Continuity - You agree to attend the whole retreat from start to finish. It is disruptive to everyone on a retreat to arrive late, leave early or take excursions. Whilst on retreat please do not use your car, if you bring one, and please stay within walking distance of the retreat centre.
Arrival - Please arrive between 5pm and 7pm on the first day of your retreat. Retreats start with a light supper at about 7pm.
Accommodation - Is upstairs in single-sex bedrooms shared with other retreatants, normally between 3–4 people per room. We only have one single room, which is allocated to those with a medical condition or disability that prevents room sharing. Please contact the office at the time of your booking to discuss your needs, if this is an issue for you. It is also possible to camp. Please let us know in advance if you intend to do so.
Sharing - When booking a retreat here you agree to share a room, unless you wish to camp. If you are coming with a friend and wish to be accommodated in the same shared bedroom as them, please inform us when booking.
Food - Is healthy, tasty and vegan (vegetarian, but without eggs or dairy) and is prepared by our team of volunteer cooks. Cow’s milk is available for breakfast cereals and drinks.
Restricted diets - Can only be provided for genuine medical reasons and we will need to be informed when you first book. To help our volunteer cooks, please keep dietary requests to absolutely essential medical 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 retreats usually end between 3-4 pm. Long weekends usually end at around 2 pm. All other retreats end around 10am on the last day.
Travel - Rivendell is easily accessible by public transport and is a short taxi ride away from local rail stations. 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.
Cancellation policy
All deposit amounts are non-refundable and non-transferable in all circumstances.
If you wish to cancel your place on a retreat, we require a minimum notice of 4 calendar weeks before a retreat is due to take place.
If you cancel more than 6 calendar weeks before a retreat is due to take place you will receive a refund of all but the deposit amount, if you have paid in full.
If you cancel between 6 and 4 calendar weeks before the retreat is due to take place and we can't replace you, you will be required to pay half the total cost of the retreat.
If you cancel less than 4 calendar weeks before the retreat is due to take place then any refund will be at Rivendell’s discretion, depending on the circumstances.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel, as there may be other people waiting for a place on the retreat to become available. The refund amount will still depend on whether we can fill your space.
Confirmation - No booking is final until payment is received in full and your booking processed by a member of the Rivendell team.
The full balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to the start date of the retreat. We reserve the right not to accept a booking if the balance is unpaid, in which case no refund of deposit payments will be made.
Cost of retreats:
Please pay the full rate for each retreat you book, if you can, to help support our activities. The concessionary rate is only for those on a very low income (e.g. the unemployed in receipt of benefits, and students). If you are in financial difficulty, further concessions can sometimes be arranged.
Deposit and Payment
Bookings can be made on-line by post with a cheque or by phone using a debit or credit card. Cheques should be made payable to 'Rivendell Buddhist Retreat Centre'.
No booking will be finalised without receipt of a deposit and only then once it has been confirmed by a member of the Rivendell bookings team.
- £60 deposit for weekends, midweek or long weekends
- £80 deposit for week-long retreats.
- £100 deposit for week-long plus retreats
If booking within six weeks of the start of the retreat, please pay the full amount.