Tuesday 12 April 2016

Retreat and Restoration: Ashburnham Place

Can you believe we are already halfway through April? The year is not so young anymore. If you have been sitting on all of your lovely plans for this year, thinking, “I’ll start tomorrow…or next week…maybe next month…actually, later”, then it is maybe time to repent, and kick start your projects into motion! However If you have been busy “doing you”, well done. If you are ready for a well deserved break, you might want to consider what I have to say next.
Just over a week ago, I and a group of ladies (comprising of my mum, and a few friends) took a weekend vacation to Ashburnham Place, a sanctuary of escape tucked away in the Sussex Countryside, isolated from all of everyday life’s noise.The trip came at a good time because the majority of the group (excluding my mother who had just got back from a trip to the states!) was feeling a bit worse for wear and in need of a quick, and inexpensive getaway which did not require the need for passports, visas and boarding passes! We simply hit the motorway and were there in a couple of hours.
My initial reaction was that the facility and rooms were pretty basic (albeit clean) not with all the perks that one might be accustomed to. The rooms are twin rooms so I shared with my mother. But for less than £100 for two nights (with breakfast and dinner provided) what else was I expecting? 
On second thoughts, the point  of the weekend away was not to sit in the room all day, but to explore the bookshop, make use of the library, prayer rooms or the music room, all at hand to help you switch off. This explains why wi-fi was non-existent in the communal parts of the grounds, and why there were no TVs anywhere (doing away with worldly distractions, eh?)
The beautiful landscape makes for enjoyable and peaceful walks by the lake. Or you can be even more chilled and have a spot of afternoon tea at the Orangery Tea Room. 
On the weekend we went, there were two pretty large (well known) church groups holding a weekend retreat. They had booked out a few of the larger meeting halls to hold their church services/ prayer sessions in. Ashburnham is very ideal for large groups wanting to escape the hustle and bustle to focus on prayer and restoration for a few days. But in my honest opinion, you might end up hearing the sound of your own thoughts a little too loudly, after a day, if you go alone.  
We booked our stay when there weren’t many activities happening, but I do know that at various times of the year, they hold  themed weeks, such as an Arts & Poetry week, for creative minds, or a Musician's week for musical minds. They also invite speakers to hold talks on various faith based topics from time to time.
The staff are all very polite and are more than happy to go the extra mile to make guests feel comfortable. The ladies and I had a lovely time in each other’s company and spent the two days in quiet reflection, prayer, rest and D&Ms! (deep and meaningful conversations). I came back feeling fully rested, and with a more positive outlook on my future!

For more info, please visit Ashburnham Place’s website (http://www.ashburnham.org.uk/)

This is not a sponsored post or collaboration. All opinions are my own.

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14 comments

  1. Looks so beautiful!

    www.susannahzabelle.com

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  2. Show de imagens arrasou belo lugar
    Blog:http://arrasandonobatomvermelho.blogspot.com.br/
    Canal:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmO8csZDARM

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  3. I need a R&R too, sister. My head is exploding and my body is just begging for help. This looks and sounds like a place for a quiet getaway. Thanks for sharing.
    Have a blessed week ahead, beautiful.

    missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Hi Missy - I advise you call a group of friends and go. It's so inexpensive and it will defo clear your head. Don't stress. It shall be well :-)

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  4. This looks like a nice getaway location. So peaceful too. Glad you had a great time.
    www.effortlesslady.co

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    1. It is very picturesque. Thank you Miss Diana :-) Is there anything similar in Canada?

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  5. That's such a relaxing location.

    www.rshanphonsi.com

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    Replies
    1. It really is Shasha. Thank you for stopping by :-)

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  6. This was genuinely a very helpful post - you're right, I'm sure many of us haven't realised we're four months into the year and still 'sitting' on some of our plans! Also, with regard to this hotel, the grounds/landscape certainly seem to be very special :)

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
    x

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    1. Thank you Gabrielle. Time really does fly! I hope you're well.

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  7. Looks like a very beautiful place. I use love going to church retreats, now I feel like a lot of churches near me don;t have them anymore. lad that you had a good time.

    www.sincerelymissj.blogspot.ca

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    1. Hi dear. Thanks for passing through! It's the same around here. It's been a long time since I went anywhere in a large church group.

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