In 2012, Gaia House are experimenting with holding retreats at the beautiful venue of Seale-Hayne, a historic, listed House in extensive grounds, deep in the Devon countryside, just 4 miles from Gaia House.
Our reasons for doing this are many. We wish to create opportunities for more retreats, including ones where learning and insight into the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) can be gained in different ways, other than intense meditative practice and pure silence. We hope that this may reach a wider audience, including those put off by the idea of silent retreats, and that it may broaden our offering to those who already thrive on such practice.
Smaller retreats will be conducted in a room within the main Seale-Hayne building, centred around a large quadrangle, while larger ones will be in the old refectory, a sunny and bright building overlooking fields to the south. The simply furnished rooms are single, with plenty of accommodation available in a quiet separate building, 2 to 3 minutes walk away from the main retreat area. There are beautiful views across the valley.
More detailed information about Gaia House @Seale-Hayne (Opens a PDF in a new window)
The site is owned by the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, a charity providing education, therapy, care and respite for children and young people with profound physical disabilities. More information can be seen at hannahssealehayne.com.
A Gaia House @Seale-Hayne retreat will differ in that you will not be called upon to do work periods. Also ours will not be the only activity on the site and the other people there will not be on retreat, offering a different kind of atmosphere, in which teachers leading retreats may wish to request that retreatants maintain periods of silence.
A representative from Gaia House will be on site for the duration of the retreat and will act as an administrative coordinator, working with both Gaia House and Seale-Hayne to ensure that all runs smoothly.
Please note that the accommodation at Seale-Hayne is not set up for wheelchair access, but there are plans to offer this in future.
Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6NQ
Seale-Hayne is located about 4 miles from Newton Abbot.
To get to Seale-Hayne from Newton Abbot railway station, follow these directions.
