Roman Catholic
Although the Abbey is next to a busy road, the sisters have created an oasis of peace and prayer in this picturesque stone village by the River Ouse. The nuns are a lively and hard working Community who warmly welcome their guests and put them immediately at ease. If you have never been in a chapel when the monastic prayers are sung, then here is something not to be missed – there may be organ or zither music or the Prioress herself, who is American, strumming out melodies on her guitar to accompany the nuns and monks lifting up their voices in the ancient songs of praise to God. There are books to help you join them – so give it a go! Guests do not have to join these daily offices of prayer, of course, but the beautifully sung liturgy helps immeasurably in the calming of the mind and body and in the opening of the heart. The modern guesthouse is warm and the bedrooms are well appointed with very good beds with immaculate linen. They also sometimes utilise the adjoining guesthouse of the monks (see this section), which is also very comfortable and private. There is a garden in which to sit, while the grounds offer good walks through Abbey Park and beyond to open fields. The chapel is modern, full of light and simply decorated by work of the Community who are famous for the quality of the design and execution of their projects. Religious symbols and objects are kept to a minimum at Turvey and what there is makes a simple direct statement of the Faith of the community in Christ-Jesus. Their series of posters based on Scripture are justly popular across Europe as is the embroidery work on the church vestments they make, lead by Sister Paula. The meals are excellent and served either in the small guest dining room or in a beautiful stone carriage house attached to the chapel. The programme of events is very popular and run with efficiency and much good humour so book well in advance. The Icon Painting & Prayer retreats and workshops run by Sister Esther are among the best available anywhere. There is an annual summer event for men and women under forty to join both Communities in a week of living the Benedictine monastic life. If you are at all interested in how the religious contemplative life in community can be successfully lived today, then here is a good place to visit. You do not need to be a Catholic to come here. The Communities at Turvey Abbey are here for all those seeking God - that is seeking to find meaning for their life and spiritual journey. So people of every faith or none are welcomed. Highly Recommended.
Open: All year, except July 1-15, Christmas and Easter week periods. Receives men, women, young people, groups, and religious.
Rooms: 6 singles, 3 doubles. No mobile phones. Silence expected from 9PM-9AM.
Facilities: Small conferences of about up to 40 people, garden, park, nearby woodlands and fields, library, guest lounge, pay phone. There are some day retreats some for mothers with young children that are scheduled from time to time. No mobile phones - or switch them off please if you must carry one with you.
Spiritual Help: Guests are welcome to join in the Divine Office and are provided with books, which are easy to follow even if you never have attended such a service before. From time to time introductory talks are given to help people participate more deeply. Daily Mass. Personal talks, meditation, spiritual direction, personal retreat direction, group sharing.
Guests Admitted to: Chapel, Divine Office, the library, occasionally work of the community.
Meals: Meals are taken in a guesthouse. Food is more or less traditional with some whole food dishes. With advance notice, provision can be made for vegetarian and for special diets, which are not too complicated.
Special Activities: Planned programme of events. Examples of events include Calligraphy ; Prayer, Hearing the Word Within, Monastic Experience Week, Icon Painting. Send for brochure.
Situation: In the village near countryside with fields to the rear and side.
Maximum Stay: 3 nights and by arrangement.
Bookings: Preferably by letter. Charges: Private retreats suggested donation £28 per 24 hours. Retreat weekends £80-£85 inclusive. Ask for information on individual visits. The programme gives details if it is one of the organised retreats. Otherwise ask Sister Lucy.
Access: Train: to Bedford or Northampton and then bus to Turvey- the buses are not frequent. Car: via A428.
