The Retreat House in Pleshey has a very special atmosphere. There has been a place of prayer on this site for 100 years and in the village of Pleshey for over 600 years. The air is charged with the words of Psalm 46, 'Be still and know that I am God.'

In the main house we have 22 single bedrooms, one of which is on the ground floor and equipped for those with disabilities, a comfortable sitting room, a well stocked library, a private chapel set in our lovely gardens and a separate meeting room for up to 30 people. We also have a beautiful Gatehouse adjoining the house with a further 4 bedrooms. In total we can accommodate 26 people overnight in single rooms or 29, if sharing of rooms is possible. The Gatehouse is also available for those wishing to come on a self-catering break or sabbatical.

There are several rooms at Pleshey that can be used for meetings. In the Gatehouse, the Harvey Room can accommodate a small group of up to eight people. Our library is suitable for groups of 8-10 and the lounge for 10-15. For larger meetings or conferences the Evelyn Underhill Room can easily seat 30 and audio visual equipment is available. Induction loop systems are installed in the Chapel, lounge and the Evelyn Underhill Room.

We offer a regular programme of retreats, and welcome groups and individuals for private retreats. Please explore our site to find out more, or do not hesitate to contact us if you would like any further information or to make a booking. We look forward to seeing you!

Vision Statement

The House of Retreat is a place where people from all walks of life come to seek God and to search for the spiritual in their lives. They come to a place many have called a 'thin place between heaven and earth'. Welcomed into a safe environment, visitors are enabled to explore their relationship with God and deepen their prayer. Building on the tradition of Evelyn Underhill in her assertion that retreatants should be warm, comfortable and well fed.

The Diocesan House of Retreat at Pleshey continues the vision of those who established this House of Prayer in 1909 as a place of peace and stillness where we can come into the presence of God and rediscover the power of his love. The simple and beautiful Chapel provides a focus for individuals and groups to be still. It is a sacred space, both part of the world and away from the pressures of the world, that is suffused with the light of Christ.

As guardians of this spiritual treasure we wish to ensure its future within the Diocese of Chelmsford and the wider community. We visualize this resource both building on the past and taking a leading role in helping individuals and groups to develop 'fresh Expressions' of faith for the 21st Century.

Pleshey: a quiet place within the life of the Diocese where through encounter with God
we are inspired to holy living