Residential Meditation Retreat
Falling In Love With Presence
A Five-Day Silent Residential Retreat
7th – 11th September | Nanpantan Hall, Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire
There are times in life when the pace becomes too much. The mind becomes crowded, attention is scattered, and even moments of rest can feel filled with background noise. Many people sense the need for something quieter, simpler, and more nourishing, yet rarely give themselves the space to fully stop.
Falling In Love With Presence is an invitation to do exactly that.
Now in its tenth year, this much-loved five-day silent residential retreat offers the chance to step out of the usual momentum of daily life and reconnect with what is already here: stillness, clarity, awareness, and the quiet intelligence of presence itself.
Held from 7th – 11th September, this retreat takes place at the beautiful Nanpantan Hall, nestled in the heart of the ancient Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire. Surrounded by trees, open skies, and peaceful countryside, it provides the ideal setting for deep rest, reflection, and meditation.
Why Silence?
Silence is often misunderstood. Many imagine it as something stern or restrictive, but in retreat settings silence can become a profound relief. Without the need to speak, perform, explain, or respond, energy begins to gather inwardly. The nervous system settles. The mind gradually softens.
What often emerges is a renewed sense of appreciation for simple things: birdsong in the morning, the feeling of walking slowly through woodland paths, the taste of a meal eaten with full attention, the ease of simply being.
Silent Meditation
Click on this text to eSilence is not emptiness. It is richness without distraction.
Over five days, participants are invited into a supportive atmosphere of shared quiet, where meditation and mindful living become the natural rhythm of each day.
So much of modern life encourages us to seek fulfilment elsewhere: in future goals, endless improvement, stimulation, or the next thing. Yet presence reveals another possibility.
Presence is the simple aliveness of this moment before the mind turns it into a problem or project. It is the peace available beneath mental noise. It is the intimacy of being fully here.
To fall in love with presence is not to add something new, but to rediscover what has never been absent.
Through silence, meditation, gentle inquiry, and time in nature, this retreat supports a direct reconnection with that deeper ground of being.
Guided by Experienced Teachers
The retreat is led by five-time author Suryacitta and international coach Gaynor Quilter, who bring warmth, depth, humour, and many years of experience supporting others in mindfulness, awakening, and personal transformation.
Throughout the retreat, there will be short talks by Suryacitta, offering clear and accessible guidance on presence, awareness, and freedom from unnecessary mental struggle. These talks are designed to illuminate the path without overwhelming it with theory.
There will also be a number of guided meditations, helping participants settle, deepen, and explore meditation in a grounded and supportive way.
Whether you are looking to refresh an existing practice or deepen your understanding, the teachings are offered in a practical and welcoming spirit.
A Retreat Rhythm That Nourishes
Each day will include periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, rest, and quiet personal time. The schedule is spacious enough to support depth without strain.
One of the great gifts of residential retreat is the way ordinary activities become part of the practice. Walking to the meditation hall, drinking tea, resting in the garden, noticing sunlight through trees — all of it becomes an opportunity to wake up from autopilot and inhabit life more fully.
There will also be opportunities to enjoy the surrounding landscape. Charnwood Forest offers beautiful walking routes, ancient woodland energy, and the restorative power of nature. Time outdoors can be deeply complementary to meditation, helping body and mind return to balance.
Excellent Vegetarian and Vegan Food
Retreats are not only about meditation. They are also about being cared for.
Guests can expect excellent vegetarian and vegan food, lovingly prepared to nourish both body and mind. Meals are often a highlight of retreat life: wholesome, delicious, and enjoyed in silence, allowing the flavours and experience to be fully appreciated.
Many participants find that eating mindfully in this way changes their relationship with food, slowing things down and bringing gratitude back into the simple act of nourishment.
Who Is This Retreat For?
This retreat is open to those who feel drawn to silence, meditation, and a deeper connection with presence.
Because of the silent format and immersive nature of the retreat, at least two months of meditation experience is recommended. You do not need to be an expert or advanced practitioner, but some familiarity with sitting quietly and observing the mind will help you settle more easily into the retreat environment.
People attend for many reasons:
To rest and reset
To deepen meditation practice
To step back from stress and busyness
To reconnect with nature
To gain perspective on life
To rediscover inner peace
Whatever brings you, the retreat offers a rare chance to slow down and listen more deeply.
The Value of Five Days Away
A few hours of quiet can be helpful. A day can be restorative. But several days in silence allows something more significant to unfold.
By the second or third day, many people notice that mental agitation begins to lessen. By the fourth or fifth, there can be a felt sense of spaciousness, calm, and renewed clarity that is difficult to access in ordinary routines.
Five days gives enough time not just to relax, but to genuinely reconnect.
Join Us This September
If you feel the call to step away from noise and return to what matters most, Falling In Love With Presence may be exactly the pause you need.
Set within the peaceful beauty of Nanpantan Hall, guided by experienced teachers, supported by silence, meditation, nature, and nourishing food, this retreat offers a meaningful opportunity to come home to yourself.
Dates: 7th – 11th September
Venue: Nanpantan Hall, Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire
There are a selection of room
Single en-suite £795
Large Single room with Shared bathroom £695
Shared room to share with partner or friend. £550 per person
To learn more or book your place, visit: You can also see reviews on the website by clicking the link.
I do hope you can join us on a mindfulness retreat in the not too distant future.dit it.
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