Alfoxton Park is both a building project and a retreat centre!
Our community are working hard to renovate the buildings and land, as well as hosting retreats during the warm months. We are one of many centres that make up the Triratna Buddhist Community, one of the largest Buddhist communities in the West. We place a special emphasis on building and engaging with our wider Triratna community. See www.thebuddhistcentre.com for more details.
The retreat centre hosts a variety of meditation, arts and nature-based retreats throughout the year.
By train
The nearest train stations are Taunton and Bridgwarer.
By bus
From Taunton or Bridgwater, Alfoxton is accessible by bus. First Bus is the best place for information. The bus stop you need is The Plough, Holford. From there, Alfoxton Park is about 15 minutes walking.
There is also a free bus service from Bridgwater station. This operates three times a day. Here
is the information - https://www.visit-watchet.co.uk/Guide_Request/CommunityBus.pdf. The
last bus is at 13.40.
You could also walk over the hills from Crowcombe (the 28 from Taunton, to Crowcombe Turn bus stop). This takes about 90 minutes.
The nearest airport is Bristol.
By taxi
Taxi from Taunton - Michael on 07712 403 432
Taxi from Bridgwater - Broadway taxis on 01278 422442
Taxis typically cost £40+
Driving
From the M5 coming from the north turn off at junction 23 following the signs for Minehead. This will lead you to the A39 which you follow for around 8 miles. Coming from the south along the M5 come off at junction 26 and take the A38 towards Taunton. Turn off at the roundabout onto the A3065, which then joins the A358 towards Bishops Lydeard. Then turn off at Crowcombe heading towards Nether Stowey and then
towards Holford.
After the traffic lights by Nether Stowey you have about a mile. The road becomes a 30 mph zone. Just before the Plough pub turn left towards Holford village. Follow this small road until you come to a sign saying Alfoxton Park. Here you take a sharp right turn and drive past the village bowling green on your left. The road again takes a sharp right turn. Carry on along this rutted forest track for about 1km. You will wonder if this is the right road as you go deeper into the woods...
Keep driving, you will eventually cross a cattle grid and see the main house on the left. The car park is on your right.
We run a weekly meditation class in Holford Village hall, 11am on Tuesdays. Alternatively please contact us if you'd like to pop by.
I am a wheelchair user. Can I access the site?
We are working hard to make Alfoxton House an accessible venue. Currently the ground floor of the main building, which includes the dining area and shrine room, are accessible via a small ramp. However, much of the land is hilly and unsuitable for wheelchairs. We do not currently have an accessible toilet.
Is there power for charging medical equipment e.g. CPAP machine?
Yes.
Is there a place I can refrigerate my medication?
Yes
Do you provide chairs for meditation?
Yes
Although we’re a Buddhist retreat centre, you don’t need to be a Buddhist to participate on our retreats. Most of our retreats require no specific level of experience, those who do will specify the requirements in their descriptions.
All of our events are alcohol and drug free.
Retreats are a precious opportunity to disconnect from daily life. We encourage you to switch off your mobile phone and keep distractions at bay. We have an emergency contact number which you can give to family members, in the event that they need to get in touch.
How does the deposit / dana system work? How do I pay?
A deposit is taken when you book. This secures your place and covers your food and other basic costs. This can be paid online on our website. We will also invite you to make a financial gift (‘dana’) at the end of the retreat. This gift will allow us to give a contribution to the retreat facilitators, as well as support the wider Alfoxton project. We are currently saving up to repair the roof, which will allow us to offer rooms in the main house to retreatants in the future, and secure our long term viability. You can pay with card, cash or via bank transfer.
Can I cancel my place / get a refund / transfer my deposit?
If you are unable to come to the retreat please let us know straight away. Deposits are non-refundable but may be transferable in individual circumstances.
Where will I sleep?
While the building is being renovated, most retreatants bring their own accommodation in the form of tents, bell tents or live-in vehicles. We have very limited indoor accommodation for those with restricted mobility or medical conditions that make camping difficult. We also have one or two tents that can be used by retreatants who don’t have access to their own. Please get in touch if you want to discuss your accommodation needs.
What will I eat?
Alfoxton is lucky to have a dedicated cook, and a reputation for excellent food! We serve lunch and evening meal each day, and porridge for breakfast. All our food is vegan. Much of the veg is grown on site. Muesli, toast and fruit is available all day. Some retreatants also bring their own snacks. We regularly cater for gluten-free diets. Other health-related dietary requirements can be noted on retreat booking forms.
What will I drink?
A communal urn offers hot water throughout the day and evening, alongside a wide selection of teas and coffee. We have some communal cafetieres for coffee drinkers but you may like to bring your own. The site is alcohol free.
Are there hot showers?
There is an indoor hot shower and two hot outdoor showers adjacent to our cathedral-like sauna.
Can I charge my device / phone?
Yes - there are plug points in the dining area and Oak Room.
Is there a shop/doctor nearby?
The nearest doctor’s surgery is the Quantock Medical Centre in Nether Stowey, a 15 minute drive away. The nearest Minor Injury Units are in Bridgwater and Minehead. There is an honesty box within walking distance, selling eggs, cakes and jams. The next closest store is a Co-op in Williton. It is best to pick supplies up on your way.
Is there a daily retreat schedule?
Each retreat works to its own schedule. However, there are a few constants. Meditation takes place at 7.30am (optional). Lunch is 1.15pm and evening meal at 6pm. Evening activities usually begin at 7.30pm.
Is there a space for me to do Yoga/Tai Chi/my own practice on the retreat?
Our shrine room is a calm and spacious area to undertake your own bodywork practice, and we have plenty of yoga mats and blocks available. You can use this space whenever it is free. Many retreatants also practise yoga on the land.
What is the work period and what work will need doing?
Some retreats contain a daily work period in order to keep the retreat spaces clean and safe. Retreatants are usually able to choose a task that they feel able to do and stick with this throughout the retreat. There is also a washing up rota - a great chance to chat with new people (apart from on the silent retreats…)
Normally no, but please get in touch if you feel there are exceptional circumstances.
Please get in touch with us in advance to discuss this. In some cases it may be appropriate, but most of our volunteers tend to stay for a 2-3 week period. Get in touch with the volunteer coordinator if you're keen to stay after a retreat.
Yes - there is an option on the retreat booking page to let us know that you are bringing one.
No - there are many deer on the land that would be disturbed by dogs.
Whilst we love the energy that children bring to a space, Alfoxton is still a work in progress and we are not able to meet the needs of babies or young children. Some workshops are suitable for older children to attend - please get in touch to discuss further.
How will I keep warm?
It can be chilly at night, even in summer. Thermals, a hot water bottle, a woolly hat, a good sleeping bag and mat and perhaps a thermos are all very valuable.
What about the sauna?
The sauna is a clothing-optional space. Many people choose to be naked. Others wear swimwear, or underwear. Whatever you feel comfortable in.
What other essential gear do I need?
Essentials that are often overlooked are: Water bottle, notepad and pen, head torch, book, sunscreen, sunhat, personal medication. Some people also find insect repellent useful to discourage tick bites.
We usually send information packs out 2-3 weeks before a retreat.
The presence of hundreds of deer on the Alfoxton Park land also means we experience ticks during the summer. We advise retreatants and guests to wear long trousers tucked into socks, particularly if you're walking on long grass. There's more information about how to manage ticks and tick bites on the NHS website. Our core community are used to removing ticks and are happy to support retreatants and guests.