Journeys 2025
Late Summer in Oxfordshire
Date
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th September 2025
Nights
2
Cost
£305
Description
A refreshing break at the Convent of St Mary the Virgin, Wantage, with short walks and time to simply be... The perfect opportunity to recharge and renew in peaceful surroundings.
Walks and Excursions
Situated on the edge of the Berkshire Downs, within beautiful grounds, the Convent offers community and space. We will immerse ourselves in both. Our days; one full and two part, will follow a pattern of gathered worship with the Sisters, time out walking as our own group, meals and the freedom to do as much of your own thing as you like; read, reflect, walk...
On the Friday afternoon we will visit the nearby John Betjeman Memorial Garden, an oasis of calm on the edge of the town. Within the Convent grounds we will be able to enjoy the Silent Garden, Orchard and Water Garden. There is also a labyrinth which we can walk around, to help us find our centre and connect with God.
On Saturday morning we will have a three mile circular walk from the Convent at a leisurely pace, pausing for reflections and readings on the Way. Then in the evening we have a Prayer Walk around the Convent - a special time just for you and God. There will be stopping points to pause and consider a question or thought suggested, and then when you are ready - there is no hurry - walk slowly to the next. A Prayer Walk is an opportunity to ask God what he wants of you and for you to offer yourself to God. Many find this to be a time of peace and encounter.
Accommodation
St Mary's Convent has recently been refurbished to a high standard and the large grounds are big and well looked after. They include a lovely apple orchard, the fruit from which is sent elsewhere to be made into juice and then returned to the Convent for serving to guests and is also available to purchase. There is a library, several sitting rooms and a fully equipped art room for guests to use if they wish.
Accommodation is in single, ensuite rooms in the Convent Retreat Wing. Good quality, simple meals are taken in the Retreat Refectory, comprising a continental breakfast, cooked lunch and light supper. Tea and coffee facilities are available throughout the day (and often home-made cake!). Any dietary requirements can be catered for. Our first meal together will be lunch on Friday, our last, lunch on Sunday.
Getting there
Please arrive mid-late morning. Car parking is available at the convent. The nearest railway station is at Didcot, where a bus service runs to Wantage.
Contact
With David Gleed and Sue Peachey. For more information please contact: Dave: davidgleed2@gmail.com
Sue: sue9.peachey@gmail.com +44 (0)7586 478848