When you arrive on retreat, you’ll immediately feel like you’ve entered a different world. It is a place where you can be fully present with yourself and others. We’ll ask you to switch off your mobile phones and electronic devices to help you relax and get your well-earned screen break. (Rivendell has an emergency phone number, so you won’t need to worry about missing anything important.) Every retreat operates on a simple schedule to allow you to fully relax and deepen your practice. Everything feels different on retreat - the colours become more vivid, the mind more flexible. We also experience everyday tasks differently - we share light domestic tasks on a daily basis, which create a context for mindfulness and deepening connections. We also have periods of friendly silence that allow us to turn inward and really be with our experience. You might discover how much energy you have when you don’t have to think about what to say next! That said, it’s important to note that a Buddhist retreat is not the same as a spa retreat or a holiday. We turn towards the mind, rather than away from it, which can be an initially challenging experience. This is why a team of teachers and experienced practitioners are present to assist you whenever you need it. A retreat is a well-supported and contained space, where you are never alone. However, we cannot offer any therapeutic help, so if you’re currently experiencing mental health difficulties, grief or any other strong or upsetting states of mind, please consider if a retreat is right for you at present and whether there are other supports you need in your life. If you’re unsure, please contact the retreat team or Rivendell before booking.

Rivendell Buddhist Retreat Centre is situated on the edge of a small East Sussex village, in a former Victorian rectory. Surrounding the house is a lovely garden, beyond which lie fields and woodland. The shrine room is located in the garden, easily accessible from the main house. Rivendell provides simple yet comfortable communal accommodation. Shared single-sex accommodation is mostly in upstairs bedrooms, there is also a shepherd’s hut and a downstairs bedroom. One single bedroom is available for people with specific health concerns.

Delicious vegan food is prepared by volunteer cooks during the full length of the retreat. Retreatants have three shared meals a day together, at regular times: a filling breakfast, light lunch and hot dinner. Cooks do their best to cater to people with food allergies, so if you have dietary requirements that shouldn’t stop you from going on retreat.

Physical wellness Rivendell has wheelchair accessibility and very limited single rooms. If you have any physical condition that may affect your ability to take part in a retreat, please contact the Buddhist Centre prior to booking via email (info@buddhistcentrecroydon.org). Mental health It’s important to note that a Buddhist retreat is not the same as a spa retreat or a holiday. We turn towards the mind, rather than away from it, which can be an initially challenging experience. This is why a team of teachers and experienced practitioners are present to assist you whenever you need it. A retreat is a well-supported and contained space, where you are never alone. However, we cannot offer any therapeutic help, so if you’re currently experiencing mental health difficulties, grief or any other strong or upsetting states of mind, please consider if a retreat is right for you at present and whether there are other supports you need in your life. If you’re unsure, please contact the Buddhist Centre (info@buddhistcentrecroydon.org) before booking.

You will likely find that you fewer things on retreat than in your everyday life, and we encourage you to only bring what is necessary for a simple life. Useful things to bring are: · Towel (essential) - we do have spares if you forget · Toiletries (essential) · A water bottle for use throughout the retreat (optional) · Warm clothes and hot waterbottle · Outside clothing (inc. waterproofs and boots/wellies) · Money for taxi (optional) · Torch(optional)

Have you had enough of the daily hamster-wheel and need a break? Do you feel like there’s more to life than going through the motions? Attending a retreat is a great opportunity to leave the distraction and chaos of the world behind and enter a space of peace and quiet. Retreats create conditions for your nervous system to rest and your mind to open up to new possibilities. If you’re curious about seeing the world in a different way and want to change your life for the better, going on retreat is for you! That said, it’s important to note that a Buddhist retreat is not the same as a spa retreat or a holiday. We turn towards the mind rather than away from it, which can be an initially challenging experience. If you wonder whether you are well enough to go on retreat due to mental health difficulties, please see the final question.

Each retreat is led by a team of experienced Buddhist practitioners. They include teachers of Buddhism and meditation from the Triratna Buddhist Order, along with volunteers who handle the retreat's practical details. Everyone on the team takes part in the retreat and gives their time freely to ensure the retreat is a peaceful and helpful experience. They are available throughout the retreat to answer your questions and provide support.

Retreat generally start at 6pm on the first day, but retreatants are encouraged to arrive earlier to allow time and space to settle in - you are welcome to come from 5pm onwards. Once you have arrived we ask you to stay for the whole retreat and follow the retreat schedule. Weekend retreats end between 3pm and 4pm, while longer retreats end earlier on the last day.

Most people choose to travel by car or train. Travel by car Rivendell is easily accessible by car but parking space is limited, so it's best not to arrive with large vehicles. For more information regarding how to get to Rivendell by car, see button below. Travel by train There is a direct hourly train service from London Bridge, linking East Croydon with Buxted and Uckfield (the nearest train stations to Rivendell). From these stations you can choose to travel by taxi, unless you wish to walk or cycle. Please note: Uckfield and Buxted stations do not have taxi ranks and the number of taxis available in the local area is limited. It is often impossible to get a taxi between 4pm-7pm without it having been booked the day before travelling. Return Journey Lifts to the nearest train stations are usually available at the end of each retreat. This is organised by the retreat team. Lift shares We don't guarantee lift shares on the way to our retreats. We arrange lifts/taxi to the nearest train station on the way back. The retreat centre’s address is: Rivendell Buddhist Retreat Centre Chillies Lane, High Hurstwood, East Sussex, TN22 4AB

While every retreat is different, they largely follow the following schedule: Wake up bell at 6.30am, bedtime by 10pm. Communal breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular times. Formal activities include meditation sessions, talks and rituals led by Buddhism and meditation teachers. There are plenty of free time to rest, read, socialise with other retreatants and go on walks. You’ll be asked to participate in a short work period most days. There are periods of comfortable silence to deepen the retreat experience.

Each retreat is led by a team of experienced Buddhist practitioners. They include teachers of Buddhism and meditation from the Triratna Buddhist Order, along with volunteers who handle the retreat's practical details. Everyone on the team takes part in the retreat and gives their time freely to ensure the retreat is a peaceful and helpful experience. They are available throughout the retreat to answer your questions and provide support.

The New Year Urban Retreat is held at the Croydon Buddhist Centre, conveniently located in central Croydon, with excellent transport links (see our Visit Us page). You don't need to leave the city to experience a peaceful and transformative retreat.

Comfortable clothing for meditation, warm layers for the colder months, and any personal items you need for your daily routine (there won't be an opportunity to go home during the day). Meditation cushions and mats will be provided at the centre.

On an urban retreat we spend the days at the Croydon Buddhist Centre and go home for the night. During the day we meditate together in the shrine room, listen to Dharma teachings, share meals and have inspiring discussions. All meals provided, you just need to turn up with an open mind. An urban retreat offers the perfect conditions to rest, recharge, and gain a fresh perspective on life without having to leave the city. Whether you’re seeking inner peace, a fresh perspective, or deeper purpose in life, they may well be a life-changing experience.

Yes, these retreats are open to complete newcomers, as well as those with experience in Buddhism and meditation. It offers a supportive space to explore meditation, rituals, and Buddhist teachings.

1) An optional morning double meditation from 7.30am to 9am. 2) A day of meditation, talks and reflection from 10.30am to 4.30pm that we ask everyone to attend. 3) An evening of practice from 6pm to 9.30pm, which we'd recommend you attend if you can. On our New Year Urban Retreat there's a special evening programme on 30th December and a later start on 1st January. Check the retreat event page for specific details.

Yoga and Buddhism share deep philosophical roots, though they come from different traditions. Both emphasize mindfulness, self-awareness, and the cultivation of inner peace. While yoga originated in ancient India and is commonly associated with Hindu philosophy, it shares many practices with Buddhism, such as meditation, breath control, and ethical living. Yoga helps cultivate presence, balance, and inner calm—qualities central to Buddhist meditation and the path to enlightenment. Although our yoga classes do not teach Buddhism directly, they support a mindful, compassionate way of life, aligning with Buddhist principles of non-attachment, awareness, and self-compassion.

It's good to bring comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. We have changing spaces available which you can use before and after the class. You might also like to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. You're welcome to bring your own yoga mat if you'd like, but we do provide all the equipment necessary, including mats, belts, blocks, bolsters and blankets.

Currently, all our yoga classes last for 1 hour.

Yes, we kindly ask that you: Arrive 5-10 minutes before the class begins, to settle in. Turn off your phone or set it to silent. Remove shoes before entering the practice space. Respect the peaceful atmosphere of the Centre and others attending the class.

Yes, but please inform the teacher of any medical conditions or injuries before the class begins. They can offer modifications to poses as needed. If you have any serious health concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider before attending.

All our yoga and movement classes are by donation. We recommend a donation of £10 / £8 for this event, but we welcome you however much you can afford to give. You can give your donation at the reception before the class (we accept both card and cash payments).

Yes! All our yoga classes are suitable for beginners. Our teachers offer simpler variations of each posture during the class, to ensure every student is suitably challenged and can benefit from the practice.

We primarily teach yoga for meditation - yoga practice as a way to support one's meditation practice. While this includes helping the body to be comfortable to sit for longer periods in meditation posture, there are many more dimensions to this. Our teachers draw influence from a range of styles to help students cultivate strength, balance, stillness and flexibility of both body and mind, all of which are extremely supportive to both our meditation practice and our overall sense of wellbeing.

Please feel free to email us with any questions at info@buddhistcentrecroydon.org

Yes! The beauty of yoga is that we can always go deeper with each posture, and in our awareness during the practice. Our teachers are skilled in offering variations and adjustments for more experienced practitioners, so you can deepen your practice. If you're looking for more advanced sessions, feel free to speak with our teachers, and they can recommend the best classes for you or suggest ways to challenge yourself during class.