Can beginners visit a Buddhist monastery in the UK?

Yes. Most monasteries and meditation centres in the UK welcome beginners for talks, group sittings or retreats. Contact the centre first and follow its guidelines.

Do Buddhist retreats cost money?

Many monasteries run on donations (dana) and ask nothing fixed. Lay-run retreat centres usually charge for food and lodging, often with a sliding scale.

Buddhist Monasteries and Meditation Centres in the UK

There are 14 Buddhist monasteries and meditation centres in the UK in our directory that welcome English speakers, across Theravada, Insight, Zen and Tibetan traditions. Many offer free or donation-based (dana) teachings and retreats; check each centre's website for dates and guidelines.

Theravada and forest monasteries

Amaravati Buddhist MonasteryHertfordshire, England · Theravada forest
Aruna Ratanagiri (Harnham)Northumberland, England · Theravada forest
Cittaviveka (Chithurst)West Sussex, England · Theravada forest
Hartridge Buddhist MonasteryDevon, England · Theravada forest

Insight (vipassana) centres

Gaia HouseDevon, England · Insight
London Insight MeditationLondon, England · Insight

Zen, Chan and Seon

Throssel Hole Buddhist AbbeyNorthumberland, England · Soto Zen

Tibetan centres

Jamyang London Buddhist CentreLondon, England · Tibetan (FPMT)
Kagyu Samye LingEskdalemuir, Scotland · Tibetan (Kagyu)
Manjushri Kadampa Meditation CentreUlverston, Cumbria, England · Kadampa

Other centres

AdhisthanaHerefordshire, England · Triratna
London Buddhist CentreLondon, England · Triratna
Taraloka (retreats for women)Shropshire, England · Triratna
The Buddhist SocietyLondon, England · All traditions

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Buddhist Meditation Centres in the UK