Welcome to the annual Mindspace Silent Residential Retreat in the Surrey Hills
The Unfolding Lotus
A Silent Retreat of Stillness and Compassion with Adam Dacey
Sunday 5th September – Tuesday 7th September, 2027
Franciscan Centre, Godalming, Surrey
Update: October 14th, 2026.
Four rooms booked, six rooms left below to book for Early-Bird Booking!
Everyone is welcome to choose between a residential stay, or a one-day or two-day visit (with cooked lunch and/or supper).
The choice is yours; either way you can be guaranteed a peaceful experience, with silence observed throughout the retreat apart from essential guidance and teachings.
Whether you are new to meditation or have an established practice, this retreat offers an opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life and reconnect with stillness, awareness and compassion.
This will be another opportunity to experience our silent retreat at Ladywell — a site, far from the madding crowd, that has been used for prayer since the Seventh Century.
The Franciscan Centre, where your retreat will take place, is situated on the grounds of Ladywell Convent in Guildford, Surrey. A place designed for quiet, rest, stillness and reflection.
Your stay will be carefully designed to provide a deep and profound experience of meditation, within a historical venue that offers modern, comfortable facilities while retaining the peace and simplicity of this special setting.
This is a place to disconnect from the noise and busyness of everyday life. You won’t find the distractions of modern entertainment, but you will find comfort, warmth and everything you need for a restful and memorable stay.
Oh, did I mention the delicious food? Read on below to find out more about that, but first let’s talk about the retreat itself.
In full, this will be a three-day silent meditation retreat where you can disconnect from the stress of daily life, find your inner peace and gain confidence in your meditation practice.
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A Three-Day Silent Meditation Retreat and Digital Detox
Sunday 5th September – Tuesday 7th September, 2027
On this retreat, the first day will offer an opportunity to settle the mind and discover our natural inner stillness.
On the second day, we will explore how our mind of compassion can unfold like a lotus, helping us to strengthen and improve our relationships and discover an inner virtue that nourishes and sustains our wellbeing.
Without mud, there can be no lotus. This simple image helps us to understand how we can transform the challenges of daily life into opportunities for spiritual growth.
The lotus does not grow despite the mud; it grows because of it. In the same way, the difficulties and challenges we encounter in life can become part of the path towards greater wisdom, compassion and inner freedom.
This silent meditation retreat will give the opportunity to experience inner peace. When the mind is peaceful we naturally experience happiness, contentment and a sense of wellbeing. The stress and worry in our life pacify and we find a stillness within. Meditation gives us this opportunity. However for most us we don’t get to experience the benefits of meditation due to our busy, distracted lives.
This silent retreat will provide the perfect conditions for you to access the inner peace within. Upon returning home you will bring with you a sense of happiness and contentment and an empowered mind giving you confidence to continue with your practice of Meditation.
The retreat in this tranquil location is suitable for those who wish to try a Silent Retreat for the first time or for those with some experience of Meditation. Perhaps you have attended a class or downloaded an app and wish to go deeper. This is your chance. There are not many opportunities like this.
Located close to London come down for the three days or pop in for the day. It will be in complete silence with no talking between attendees at any time. It’s also your chance to disconnect from the internet and give yourself permission to enjoy a digital detox.
There will however be spoken guidance during the session to direct you to the experience. In the Meditation session there will also be enough silence to allow you to go deeper. See timetable below.
Suitable for all abilities, but if you are a beginner, you will be sent some meditations to practice leading up to the retreat. This will help you get the most out of the experience.
Timetable
Sunday 5th – Tuesday 7th September
Arrival from 4pm
Supper at 6pm
Introduction with Meditation at 7pm
Monday 6th September
6.40am – 7.30am: Unguided Session
Silent Breakfast from 7.30am-8.15am
9.00am – 10am: Session
Refreshments
10.30am – 11.30am: Session
Silent Lunch 12.20pm-13.00pm
Refreshments
14.30pm – 15.30pm: Session
Refreshments
16.30pm – 17.30pm: Session
Refreshments
Dinner – 6.00pm
20.30pm – 21.20pm: Unguided Session Candlelit Meditation
Tuesday 7th September
6.40am – 7.30am: Unguided Session
Silent Breakfast from 7.30am-8.15am
9.00am – 10am: Session
Refreshments
10.30am – 11.30am: Session
Silent Lunch 12.20pm-13.00pm
Refreshments
14.30pm – 15.30pm: Session followed by Q&A
Departure at 4pm
There are four booking options
3 Days/Two Nights
Full Retreat- All Retreat Sessions
- Two Nights Accommodation – Single Room with En-Suite
- Dinner on Monday Evening
- Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner on Tuesday
- Breakfast and Lunch on Wednesday
- Unlimited Refreshments
Monday & Tuesday
- Retreat from 10am- 4pm on Monday and Tuesday
- Lunch on Monday & Tuesday
- Dinner on Monday
- Unlimited Refreshments
- No Accommodation
Monday Only
- Retreat from 9am- 4pm on Tuesday
- Lunch & Dinner on Monday
- Unlimited Refreshments
- No Accommodation
Tuesday Only
- Retreat from 9am- 4pm on Tuesday
- Lunch on Tuesday
- Unlimited Refreshments
- No Accommodation
Three Days / Two Nights
All Retreat Sessions
Two Nights Accommodation
Single Room with En-Suite
Dinner on Monday Evening
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner on Tuesday
Breakfast and Lunch on Wednesday
Unlimited Refreshments
One Person - Early bird booking now open!
All are a comfortable size with a desk and chair, comfortable lounge chairs and fully fitted wardrobes. Towels and linen are provided..
Monday and Tuesday
Retreat from 10am- 4pm on Monday and Tuesday
Lunch on Monday & Tuesday
Dinner on Monday
Unlimited Refreshments
No Accommodation
One Person - Early Bird Discount if Booked Before Janiary 2027
Unlimted refreshments and access to the grounds, relaxation areas and meditation room.
Monday
Retreat from 10am- 4pm on Monday
Lunch and Dinner on Monday
Unlimited Refreshments
No Overnight Accommodation
One Person - Early Bird Discount if Booked Before January 2027
Unlimited Refreshments
Access to grounds and relaxation areas
Use of Meditation room
Tuesday
Retreat from 10am- 4pm on Tuesday
Lunch on Tuesday
Unlimited Refreshments
No Overnight Accommodation
One Person - Early Bird Discount if Booked Before January 2027
Silent Retreat in the Surrey Hills
Price range: £70.00 through £330.00
Silent Retreat Countdown
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Car
Getting to Ladywell
Ladywell is easily accessible by road, with the A3 providing a direct route from London and Portsmouth. The nearest exit from the A3 is Milford Junction, approximately 2.8 miles from the retreat centre.
After leaving the A3 at Milford Junction, follow the A3100 towards Godalming and then continue to:
Ladywell
Ashstead Lane
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1ST
Local Taxi Services
If you are arriving by train or require a local taxi, the following companies may be helpful:
Clock Tower Cars – 01483 422222
Speedwell Taxis – 01483 423333
A3 Taxis Godalming – 07871 818267
Godalming Taxis – 01483 666999
Bus
Ladywell is accessible by local bus services from Guildford and the surrounding area.
The nearest bus stop is at Tuesley Lane, Godalming, approximately 0.4 miles from Ladywell. This stop is served by the Compass Bus 42 service, which runs between Guildford and Cranleigh.
Additional bus services (numbers 70, 71 and 72) travel from Guildford to Godalming town centre, stopping at Eashing Lane, Godalming, which is approximately 1.1 miles from Ladywell.
For up-to-date bus routes and timetables, please visit:
Surrey County Council – Guildford, Godalming and Haslemere bus timetables
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/buses-and-other-transport
National Express
National Express services also operate routes connecting London, Guildford, Hindhead, Portsmouth, Southsea and Fareham.
For timetable information, please visit:
Train
Godalming is well served by train, with direct services running through the beautiful Surrey countryside on the London Waterloo to Portsmouth & Southsea line.
Trains from London Waterloo to Godalming usually take around 45–55 minutes, making the journey straightforward for those travelling from London and the surrounding areas.
The nearest station is Godalming Station, which is approximately 1 mile from Ladywell. From the station, you can continue your journey by local taxi or bus.
For those carrying luggage or arriving for the residential retreat, a short taxi journey from the station is often the easiest option.
For up-to-date train times and ticket information, please visit:
National Rail Enquiries
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk
Airport
Ladywell is also within easy reach of London’s major airports.
By car, the retreat centre is approximately 1 hour from Gatwick Airport via the A3, and around 45 minutes from London Heathrow Airport via the A3 and M25 (depending on traffic conditions).
Franciscan Centre
Ladywell
Ashstead Lane,
Godalming,
Surrey
GU7 1ST
Cancellation Policy for the Ladywell Silent Retreats, including both residential, two day and one day options.
With this particular retreat due to the financial contractual agreement that has been made with the convent, if your place can be taken by another person on the waiting list after your cancellation, you will receive a full refund with no administrative fee; if your place cannot be taken, no refund will be eligible. This applies to whenever you made the booking.
