WELCOME

We look forward to welcoming you to St Beuno's

Where we are - When to Come - What to Bring - Prepare for your Retreat - Weather in Wales

How to Get to St Beuno's

By Car: A map and transport details are found in our printed programme and on our website: www.beunos.com/location.htm

Public Transport:

take the train to Rhyl. From there there is one daily bus leaving the station at 1.45 (Mini-bus Number 10) Alternatively take a taxi - details of taxis on website.  If you are coming from outside the UK we have details at how to get to St Beuno's by air.

When to Arrive at St Beuno's

Most Retreats begin on the evening of the first date of retreat and end after breakfast on the last day. 
It would be most convenient if you could aim to arrive between 3pm and 5pm which will allow you time to settle in.  There is usually a Eucharist at 5.45pm to which you are welcome. 
Weekend Retreats usually end about 3.30pm on the last day.
We ask you to vacate your room by 9.30am on the morning of departure, except for weekend retreats which end about 4pm.
If for any reason you plan to arrive after 6pm, please inform us so that we know when to expect you.

What to Bring

Warm indoor and outdoor clothing

and a rain resistant jacket as weather in North Wales is variable at any time of year and can be cool.  Good walking shoes/boots will be useful if you are able to walk the country lanes and footpaths that surround St Beuno's.
If you would like to help us out by a bit of gardening, then old clothes would be helpful.

Dressing Gown

as most rooms are not en-suite

Medication:

Bring any medication you need.  If you need any medical attention whilst at St Beuno's you will be asked if for the name and address of your own doctor.  European Union citizens will need the EU medical card.  People from outside the EU will need to pay for medical and dental treatment.  Our local doctors and hospital are prompt and attentive.

Toiletries:

There are no shops within easy walking distance of St Beuno's but we do have basic toiletries on sale.

Hobby Items:

You might wish to engage in non-intellectual passtimes: so you might want to bring embroidery, small craft/art materials, small musical instruments etc.  We offer a well-stocked art room.

Mobile Phone:

We suggest you keep your mobile phone turned off on retreat.  However, you may wish to bring your phone so that you can use it in case of emergency whilst you are out on a walk.  It is helpful if you have added St Beuno's number.

What not to Bring

Bible:

New Revised Standard Versions Bibles are now provided in each bedroom.  Other version, and bibles in some other languages, are available.  So you probably don't need a Bible unless you can't get by without your own personal one.

Books and Computers:

We do not advise bringing many books or coming with the intention of catching up on reading, writing letters, preparing talks or doing academic work.

Bed linen and Towels

are provided by St Beuno's.

How to prepare for your Retreat

The principle preparation is to come as rested as possible.
If you are new to retreats you might like to look at what we have to say about silence on retreat.
You may also like to review What is an Individually Guided Retreat. 
We also have a little information on Ignatian Spirituality, with pages on different ways of praying.

Weather in North Wales

It is said that in Britain we don't have a climate, just weather.  All the year round the weather changes from day to day and hour to hour.  There are no sunny seasons or rainy seasons.

In winter the daytime temperatures will range from around freezing to about 12C.  In summer from 10C-20C.  Anything more than 22C is considered a heatwave and people complain.  Generally snow might fall any time from the end of November to the beginning of April, but it rarely stays on the ground for more than three days before it melts. 

Sunset is after 10pm in June and 3.30pm in December - a big variation.

Raincoats are useful all the year round.   If you are coming from a tropical or even a Mediterranean climate then bring warm clothes even in summer.

In the house winter and summer the temperature is about 19°C or 68°F. You will probably need something more than a shirt to keep you warm.
St Beuno's is situated on a west-facing hillside which means we are sheltered from the cold easterly winds of winter.  We tend to get a little less rain and a little more sun than the more mountainous parts of North Wales.   

5 Day Weather provided by the Met Office
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