What’s on
Everything we do is non-residential, in the midst of everyday life. Find out more about what’s happening with online and in-person events, by scrolling down the page and clicking on each event.
A retreat is a breathing space: a time set aside to be attentive maybe to what matters to us in the depths of our being or just to take a healthy pause. It gives us time and space to restore balance (or begin to) - which may challenge us to change things a little once we go back to our everyday living.
Retreat is as old as the hills and a fundamental human need. But you don’t have to head for the hills or spend a lot of time and money to ‘go on retreat’. With Retreat House Chester you’ll find retreat right in the midst of the city and right in the midst of everyday life.
A look through our programme or staying in touch through our mailing list will help you decide what’s for you - or if you’re not sure, just ask.
What’s happening now
ALWAYS NON-RESIDENTIAL, OUR EVENTS ARE A MIX OF ONLINE AND IN-PERSON, INDOORS AND OUT. For our simple guide on using Zoom, click here.
Please click on the images below to find out more: our website contains the most up-to-date information on our programme so it always best to check here.
Our activities are only open to over-18s. We offer off-site events in accessible venues, as well as our online events.
A note about charges: We make every effort to keep our costs down. If you are able to top this up with a donation, it would be tremendously welcome. Some activities are free. Bookings and any donation with them are non-refundable; if, however, we cancel an event, you are given a full refund of any payment / donation made through our booking system.
Except where indicated, advance booking is required, please, and bookings will usually close 48 hours ahead of an event. The event page includes details of how to book.
Thank you!
Meditation (January 2026)
A one-hour Christian meditation led by Colin Mansley, following WCCM guidelines
Tuesday January 13th 2026 2-3pm - to be followed by tea / coffee etc
To be held at Mission House, Christ Church, Chester, CH1 3JD
Car parking is nearby in Brook Street Car Park (actually in St Anne Street!)
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/retreat-house-chester
Meditation also held in February to April 2026
taking place on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/retreat-house-chester
Conversations
“Reflections on the recently-published ‘The Missing Peace’ by Chris Whittington, the founder of The School of Contemplative Life.”
The book consists of forty-three short reflections, of which we will be looking at five from across the book.
Quoting from the book, ‘The School of Contemplative Life teaches Christian meditation from the Christian wisdom tradition as a spiritual path to peace, community and oneness – as a way of clearing space to encounter the divine nature of life.’
Probably running 12th January to 13th February 2026
Conversations
Reflections on:
Week 1 – the Carmelite tradition, reading from ‘Glimpses of the Carmelite Way’ by Mark Davis.
Weeks 2 to 6 – the conversations and letters of Brother Lawrence, reading from one of the editions of ‘The Practice of the Presence of God’.
starting in the week which includes Ash Wednesday, 18th February 2026
Preparing for Easter
or “What’s so good about Good Friday?”
Tuesday 24th March 2026 7.30-9pm
Mission House, Chester
An evening held jointly with Christ Church, Chester, and led by Paul Towner