We invite you to visit us or come and stay with our community.
We welcome people to come and stay with us – for prayer and retreat, for study, for a break away from their usual routine and to share something of our Franciscan life together. We can offer either full-board accommodation in Leo House, the Friary Guest House, eating with us in the refectory, or self-catering accommodation in Bernard or Juniper Houses. All guests are welcome to join us for services in the chapel but no-one should feel under pressure to do so. We invite those who wish to join us in some of the basic tasks around the Friary e.g. helping with the washing up! A member of the community is usually available to talk to if you are seeking advice or friendship. We don’t run the place as a hotel business and we make no fixed charge for staying, but we do make a suggestion about the level of donation that we need to cover our costs for your stay and we ask you to recompense us financially if you are able to. We also welcome group and individual day guests. If you travel here by car please use the Friary car park opposite the Friary grounds. Please note we are open from Tuesday to Sunday afternoon.
Please click the ‘Booking Form’ Button below to complete an online form for individual or group retreats but NOT for residential or day courses.
The Accommodation
We have two kinds of accommodation: The Friary Guest House where we offer full- board accommodation. This is in Leo House, close to the main Friary buildings, where there are nine rooms available – two of them twin-bedded. All but one have a washbasin and two are on the ground-floor. There is access to the library and a large common room, where there’s a place for making tea and coffee. The Guest House is available for both individual and group bookings. The other type of accommodation we offer is in two self-catering houses: Bernard House and Juniper House which are separate from, but within easy reach of, the main Friary buildings. Bernard House has six bed-rooms (one twin bed and one double) and one single room is downstairs and en-suite. Juniper House has seven bed-rooms (one twin bed and another which can take an extra bed and is downstairs and en-suite). These houses are available together or separately for group bookings. Occasionally it is possible for us to provide full board for guests staying in Bernard and Juniper Houses as well as in the Friary Guest House. Enquires and bookings for all three houses can be made via the Friary office or download booking forms on the Bookings Page. Always contact the Guest Coordinator before sending a booking form to discuss room availability. We welcome guests from Tuesdays to Sundays but not Mondays as they are the Community day off.
Accessibility
Access At Hilfield
We have 3 rooms which are on the ground floor, 2 are en-suite. One is in Leo Guest House, one in Bernard House and one in Juniper House. The bathroom facilities are suitable for people who have a mobility requirement. The doors are not strictly the recommended width but we find that wheelchair users can usually manage them. There are ramps to most areas of the Friary.
Please contact us for more information about access at Hilfield.
Transportation and Donations
Donations
The Friary retreats for guests are run purely on donations and we rely on those to keep the friary open and maintain the accommodation and grounds, We estimate that it costs us around £40 per day per guest for full board and lodging in the Guest House (more than this if you have come for an organised course or retreat). For those who are self-catering in Juniper or Bernard Houses we suggest a donation of £25 per night (£15 if unwaged). We make no charge for your stay at the Friary, but we are grateful to receive your donation to cover these costs (and to benefit from Gift Aid if you pay Income Tax). If you are able to offer more than this it can help those who can only afford to give less. We don’t want anyone to be prevented from coming here on account of their financial situation and we leave it to your judgement and your generosity as to what you can give.
Transport
We are happy to collect guests from local railway stations or Bus stops at mutually convenient times and ask for a £5 donation towards costs. In comparison the taxi fare from Sherborne is £20. We also have a car park at the Friary and if possible we ask guests to car share to lower their carbon footprint.
Dog Policy
We regret that we cannot welcome dogs along with resident guests while staying at the Friary Guest House, Bernard House or Juniper House. The Friary grounds hold many new scents, experiences and temptations for dogs (sheep, children, badgers, cats, newly planted flowers and vegetables, guests – to name but a few). Canine instincts may be awoken in the most docile and well-mannered pet! We ask guests not to bring their dogs to stay. Day visitors are asked to keep their dogs on their leads at all times. If you leave your dogs in your car, please remember to check on them hourly, park in the shade and leave enough ventilation.