Secure, tranquil site with varied grounds
	Single group use
	Friendly, attractive, comfortable house
	Attention to detail
	Home-cooked food
	Established over 30 years
	Tailor-made courses to meet each group’s objectives
	Open all year

	Out door activity is a healthy past-time often missed out by young people today. It can encourage imagination, increase attention, and put them back in touch with their bodies.
	Spending time outdoors fosters an appreciation of the natural world as a source of inspiration, and provides opportunities to address environmental issues directly, through programmes or through experience.
	With ever increasing concerns for safety, an environment such as this, offering both freedom and containment can be an attractive option.

Children and young people have been coming to stay at Ringsfield Hall for over 30 years, and it has been an experience many have never forgotten. They often come from inner city areas which though lively, vibrant, full of variety and activity, are also noisy, fast, disconnected from the natural world, and demanding. Many have not set foot in a field before or seen a star-filled night sky...'We don't have stars in Kilburn' said one.

Ringsfield Hall has been a never-to-be-forgotten-experience for many over more than 30 years. Often coming from areas which though lively, vibrant, full of variety are and activity, are also demanding, noisy, fast, disconnected from the natural world. Many young people have (then continue as present).

We have a number of animals which all guests can enjoy; Royston the horse and his companions, five goats, sheep, and an ever-changing population of rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, hens, and peacocks.
There is a rich variety of habitats and wildlife, to facilitate environmental study and team-building games. The idyllic setting encourages imagination, creativity, and the appreciation of space and movement.

Meal times with home cooked food, using as much local produce as possible, are an opportunity to spend time developing social skills. The fine surroundings which are warm, well-decorated and stylish are designed to tell children, young people and adults that they deserve the best, and to nurture the spirit.

We would like to see every one of our guests valued and nurtured, protected and cherished - physically, intellectually, emotionally and physically - and have an awareness of the spiritual, that is able to turn inwards to solitude and reflection, compassion and contemplation and outward to community celebration and an appreciation of God. To this end we provide a series of activities and programmes.

 At the heart of Ringsfield Hall’s ministry, is the vision for hospitality, prayer and nurture. This goes hand in hand with our concern for the environment, for justice and peace, and our work with children and young people. Far from there being any conflict in the use of this place for quiet prayer and meditation and in working with children and young people, we believe that children also can learn the skills of silence and reflection. Prayer, rather than being difficult or for the experts ‘can be the one act that sheds light on our very existence.’
    The combination of prayer and action delights and challenges us, and we are keen to share the journey with others who are drawn to that combination. We are linked to the Northumbria Community whose rule is Availability and Vulnerability, and to Contemplatives- in -Action, who explore the theme of ‘travelling light and dwelling deep’.
    We endeavour to live according to St. Benedict’s perspective which considers all activity in the light of relationship to ‘self, others, the world and God’.

    The Ringsfield Hall Trust is a member of the Quiet Garden Trust whose primary vision is to initiate and resource a network of local opportunities for ‘prayer, silence, reflection and the appreciation of beauty; for learning about Christian life and spirituality; and for experiencing creativity and healing in the context of God’s love.’
As well as the small, enclosed garden next to the chapel at Ringsfield Hall there are fourteen acres of woodland, meadow, and pasture, with seats and points of meditation, and a Hermitage.
    There are a number of ways in which these facilities can be used: individually or in groups, for a few hours or a day, with input or without, as a quiet day, or a place for discussion or struggle with issues of the day in the light of biblical insights. It may be possible to include a meal at certain times of the year. If you wish to use the grounds in this way please contact;
The Quiet Garden, Ringsfield Hall, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 8JR or tel. 01502 713020

    For many years there was a hermitage or poustinia in the grounds of Ringsfield Hall. Now that the Hermitage has been restored and greatly improved we once again offer the opportunity to any one who wants to spend a day, a few days or longer in personal solitude and retreat.

    The restored Hermitage has a single bedded room and separate small rooms for the toilet, and the kitchen for simple cooking. There is running water and electricity. It is very well insulated and so easy to keep warm.

    It is situated in an almost secret clearing on the southern edge of a young wood so that it is secluded and yet gets plenty of sun. To the south it overlooks arable fields.

    This is a single self-catering facility but two people may wish to use it for personal quiet days.

    If you would like to book the Hermitage please send us a completed Booking Form. When we confirm your booking we will send a small handbook with further details about the facilities offered. If you need more information before booking, please do not hesitate to ring on 01502 713020.

    We are not making a charge for the use of the Hermitage but would welcome donations for ‘Ringsfield Hall Trust’


The Hermitage
Ringsfield Christian Eco-Study Centre
Ringsfield, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 8JR
Tel/Fax: 01502 713020
e-mail: info@ringsfield-hall.co.uk