Quiet day venues in the Dales

The Jonas Centre

Feet of Faith has been in partnership with the Jonas Centre for a few years, having discovered we have a shared vision for providing space for retreats. Situated in Redmire, Wensleydale, it has superb views across the Dale: the photo above is taken from the prayer barn, looking over to Penhill.

We meet in the Granary, the ground floor of a former barn, which is set out comfortably with good kitchen and toilet facilities. There is a choice of spaces to use during a quiet day, from a room upstairs with comfy chairs, to a terrace with tables in front of the barn or the prayer barn a couple of fields along from the Granary - or you can explore the surroundings including the village, and the nearby river. 

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As the weather can be wet in the Dales, it's advisable to bring sturdy footwear! Especially if you'd like to go to the prayer barn... 

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If you'd like to prolong your retreat, or are coming from a distance, Jonas Centre has accommodation in lodges: click here for more information. ​

Parcevall Hall

The retreat house for the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, Parcevall Hall provides a beautiful setting in Wharfedale, near Appletreewick and Trollers Gill. The hall itself is steeped in history, the oldest surviving part dating from 1586. A two course home cooked lunch will be served to us in the dining room in one of the oldest parts of the house.

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If the weather is poor, there are some lovely indoor spaces we can use, including a peaceful small chapel, the Writing Room and the St Cuthbert's Room. And outside there is a private terrace looking out to Simon's Seat over the beautiful gardens, to which we have free access.

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Because it is such an old building, be aware that there are uneven floors and narrow spiral staircases to negotiate.

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If you'd like to prolong your retreat, or are coming from a distance, Parcevall Hall has comfortable accommodation you can book on an individual basis - click here to find out more. 

Thornton Rust Mission Room

The Mission Room is in the pretty village of Thornton Rust, between Aysgarth and Bainbridge in Wensleydale. It's a small and simple little chapel on the upper floor of a barn, donated in 1894 to the parish of St Andrew's in Aysgarth by one of the villagers, there being no Anglican church in the village.

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It is a wonderfully peaceful space, and is a beautiful setting for a quiet day, or a half day combined with a walk. Toilets are across the road in the village institute, and though tea, coffee and biscuits are kindly provided by the parish, there are no kitchen facilities, so quiet days here will require us to bring our own lunch.

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Outside there's plenty to explore in and around the village, and there's a field above the village on the flanks of Addlebrough, with benches that invite us to pause and reflect, seeing the beauty of God in creation all around as we look across the Dale. 

Muker Public Hall

Set in the gorgeous village of Muker in Upper Swaledale, the Public Hall offers a large, light space to meet with good kitchen and toilet facilities. 

The surroundings offer many opportunities to explore and find a space to reflect during the day: hay meadows which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the rare wild flowers found there in summer; the banks of the river Swale; Kisdon Hill above the village and all stops in between. There's also a community pub, a tea room and a wool shop in the village - what more could one want?!