Hilfield Programme
We are proud to present our 2026 Programme. Br John, our Guardian writes: We are delighted to offer a rich and varied programme at Hilfield for the coming year. It’s a mixture of old favourites and new opportunities, particularly in an artistic vein or to improve your sense of well-being. No experience or expertise necessary. Come and enjoy something life-enhancing in beautiful surroundings and good company!
Please contact Suzi to check availability for any courses you are interested in. If there is availability she will send you a booking form.
Lenten Quiet Day - with Br John - Friday 21st February
Join a group of fellow pilgrims in a day of reflecting on the Christ’s call to take up our cross and follow him. This is the foundational call to discipleship, and the way we embrace it can make a big difference in our work to make the love of God shown in Jesus Christ known in the world around us. The suggested donation for the day is £25 to include a simple lunch of soup and a roll. Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the day.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Etty Hillesum, Forging a Spirituality of Hope in Dark Times - with Rev Canon Patrick Woodhouse Friday 13th to Sunday 15th March
Over this weekend we shall, first, explore the remarkable story of Etty Hillesum, a young Jewish diarist who, in the early years of the war through discovering an unconventional faith found her life was transformed, and who became an inspirational figure in the transit camp where all the Dutch Jews were sent on their way to Auschwitz. And then we shall ask: what can the spirituality that she forged in that very darkest of times say to us in the midst of the anxieties and the fears and the multiple overwhelmings of our times? Patrick Woodhouse is an Anglican priest, and was formerly a Canon of Wells Cathedral. He is the author of Etty Hillesum, a Life Transformed, and Life in the Psalms, Contemporary Meanings in Ancient Texts (both published by Bloomsbury). He lives with his wife Sam in Wells in Somerset. Suggested donation £160 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the day.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and bookingform
Holy Week and Easter at the Friary - Tuesday 31st March to Sunday 5th April
Join us as we celebrate Holy Week and Easter at Hilfield: Journey with the Community as we join Christ through His crucifixion, burial and on to the joy of his Resurrection. The suggested donation for the week is £320 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Reconnecting to theSacred in Nature - with Mike Mullins - Friday 24th to Sunday 26th April
Reconnecting to sacred nature” is a retreat running at Hilfield Friary on Friday 24th (from 12pm) to Sunday 26th April (3pm) 2026) geared those of different spiritual traditions and none enquiring into the sacredness of nature in the midst of the ecologicalcrisis.The retreat has four aims:To help participants develop a deeper connection to and love for the beauty awe and sacredness of nature.To honestly face the environmental crisis with hope, courage and a sense of personal agency.Become part of a wider movement for positive, regenerative change in our societyLearn to know, honour and protect mother earth, allowing all life to flourish. The retreat will immerse participants in the beauty of creation in the Dorset countryside – slowing us down to nature pace.Providing time for reflection, meditation and stillness inspired by nature. It will draw upon the philosophies and writings of different world spiritual traditions, the principles of Joanna Macy’s book “Active Hope”, as well as earth sciences and evolutionary biology.The retreat is for three days, two nights and includes all meals.To book a place on the retreat or enquire about costs, please contact Mike Mullins at Email: mikemullins@soulrewilding.co.uk Mobile: 07973 642 875
Website: https://www.soulrewilding.co.uk
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Julian of Norwich – Spiritual Guide and Theologian with Br Malcolm - Friday 8th to Sunday 10th May
There can be little doubt that Julian of Norwich continues to have a lasting and profound influence on many who are seeking to live faithful Christian lives. In this retreat we will consider some of the reasons for this, and explore her theological and spiritual insight.Julian witnesses to a God whose love is unconditional, all-embracing, all-inclusive, and who longs to share this love with all of creation. Suggested donation £160 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Drawing in Nature with Anna Milgrom - Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June
Welcome to a relaxing and creative day connecting with the beauty of nature through drawing and painting. We will stroll round the Friary gathering flowers, lichen, stones, sticks- whatever organic form catches your eye and then use them to create wonderful individual pieces of art! No experience is needed - if you can scribble then you can do this workshop! All materials provided. Suggested donation £160 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Reconnecting to the Divine in Nature 2 with Mike Mullins - Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June
Reconnecting to sacred nature” is a retreat running at Hilfield Friary on Friday 26th (from 12pm) to Sunday 28th June (3pm) 2026) geared those of different spiritual traditions and none enquiring into the sacredness of nature in the midst of the ecological crisis.The retreat has four aims: To help participants develop a deeper connection to and love for the beauty awe and sacredness of nature.To honestly face the environmental crisis with hope, courage and a sense of personal agency. Become part of a wider movement for positive, regenerative change in our society. Learn to know, honour and protect mother earth, allowing all life to flourish. The retreat will immerse participants in the beauty of creation in the Dorset countryside – slowing us down to nature pace.Providing time for reflection, meditation and stillness inspired by nature. It will draw upon the philosophies and writings of different world spiritual traditions, the principles of Joanna Macy’s book “Active Hope”, as well as earth sciences and evolutionary biology.The retreat is for three days, two nights and includes all meals. To book a place on the retreat or enquire about costs, please contact Mike Mullins atEmail: mikemullins@soulrewilding.co.uk Mobile: 07973 642 875
Website: https://www.soulrewilding.co.uk
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Craft Week 1 with Suzi - Wednesday 1st to Sunday 5th July
Come along and enjoy the week with like-minded crafters. Bring old projects to finish and try new ones with friends, drink lots of tea and laugh a lot! Suggested donation £260 to include all food and accommodation. If you would like to arrive on Tuesday 20th June to relax before you start crafting, please contact Suzi. There would be a suggested extra donation of £60.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
St Francis at 800 for Today with Br Samuel SSF - Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July
Commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis on 3rd October 1226 this weekend with Br Samuel SSF will examine the significance of Francis for the world today – exploding some myths and exploring some new ideas. Come and be excited! Suggested donation £160 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Poetry Weekend with Dr Elizabeth Cook - Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July
We shall be looking at the work of English-language poets of the 20th and 21st centuries who write from within or in relation to a Christian faith. We will think about how, if at all, faith informs the work of a poet, especially when the work is not overtly about that faith. Poets whose work we’ll be discussing are likely to include W H Auden (1907-1973), Norman Nicholson (1914-1987), Denise Levertov (1923-1997), Elizabeth Jennings (1926-2001), U A Fanthorpe (1929-2009), Geoffrey Hill (1932-2016), Mary Oliver (1935-2019), Les Murray (1938-2019), David Scott (1947-2022), Gillian Allnutt (1949-), Philip Gross (1952-), John Burnside (1955-2024), Michael Symmons Roberts (1963-), and Rachel Mann (1970-). In contrast to previous poetry weekends we will not be making an in-depth study of any single poet but thinking together about the connections between faith and poetry. Do they share a common impulse? Is all poetry implicitly religious? I shall bring copies of several poems to discuss but invite you, if you are able, to bring a poem that speaks to you to add to the mix. The suggested donation for the weekend is £160 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Hilfield Families Camp - Saturday 25th July to Sunday 2nd August
Every summer, Hilfield Friary hosts The Hilfield Families Camp (usually late July / early August). The Family Camp involves a week of sharing the life of the friary with adults and children (new young families are always most welcome) with Worship Work and Fun!
Please contact stuarthutton@me.com for more details.
Hilfield Youth Camp - Saturday 8th to Sunday 16th August
Every August Hilfield Friary hosts the Hilfield Youth Camp. Organised by experienced volunteers, HYC offers up to 50 young people aged 13 to 17 years the chance of a of low cost, fun holiday in stunning surroundings over a week, while exploring a Christian theme. The Youth camp is built on friendship,
Please visit their website: https://www.hilfieldyouthcamp.co.uk/
Stone Carving Experience with Lindy Cameron - Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd August
Join Lindy on a practical stone carving experience. Learn to carve or increase your skills while exploring with others how ancient stone and spirituality might work alongside each other in a relaxed environment where all are welcome. Tools provided but if you would like to bring your own then please do. Come and enjoy the rhythm of life at the Friary and meet others as we journey together over three days. The suggested donation of £200 includes a stone for sculpting, all food and accommodation. This weekend is limited to a maximum of 8 people
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Franciscan Weekend - Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th October
An annual weekend hosted by the Franciscan Brothers and Hilfield Community. Join us as we focus on the life of St Francis and his Brothers and how he still inspires people centuries after his death. Over the weekend at Hilfield, we will be focusing on Francis' life and use his example to help us enter more deeply into a pattern of loving attentiveness to God in the world today. Suggested donation £160.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Trees of Life with Reverend Dr Romela Parish - Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October
A creative workshop exploring the symbolism of trees in the Bible and what it means to be rooted in Christ. Taking inspiration from the glorious setting of Hilfield and some of the Romola’s own work, the retreat will use a variety of media for creative expression and exploration of faith. The emphasis is on a contemplative approach to creativity, and on the process of making rather than a finished product. Do not be put off if you don’t consider yourself to be a ‘creative’ person! All that is needed is openheartedness and a willingness to experiment a little! Basic materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own to use, swap or share! Rev.
Dr Romela Parish is a former academic specialising in environmental change in mountains and deserts, and a former environmental lawyer. She trained in traditional hand embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework and studied poetry at Oxford and Cardiff. She is now a non-stipendiary priest in the Church in Wales and holds exhibitions and runs creative retreats and workshops all over the UK. She is also a spiritual director in the Diocese of St Davids. Suggested donation £160.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Folk Weekend Led by Gill and Alan McIntosh - Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November
Songs about occupations and or ways of life. Bring your instruments, your enthusiasm and your voices to join this ever-popular weekend. Suggested donation £160 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Second Craft Week of the year with Suzi Herbert - Wednesday 25th to Sunday 29th November
Come along and enjoy the week with like-minded crafters. Bring old projects to finish and try new ones with friends, drink lots of tea and laugh a lot!If you would like to arrive on Tuesday 20th June to relax before you start crafting, please contact Suzi. Suggested donation of £260 to include all food and accommodation. There would be a suggested extra donation of £60.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the week.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Advent Quiet Day Led by Reverend Hilary Bond - Saturday 21st November
Join us for our annual Advent Quiet Day. A chance to retreat from secular society as we prepare for the birth of the Christ Child, the Light of the World. Hilary is a priest in the Wareham Parish and a long time friend and contributor to Hilfield Friary. Suggested donation £25 to include soup and a roll.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the day.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
Christmas at the Friary with the Hilfield Community - Tuesday 22nd to unday 27th December
Join our Friary Family where we await the birth of the Christ Child. Our celebrations begin on Christmas Eve as we come together to decorate the Friary and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the week.
Click here to download the individual leaflet and booking form
The Friary, Hilfield, Dorchester, Dorset, UK
Phone: 01300 341345
Email: hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk