In this week’s post we are excited to update you on our search for the right property for a new Plum Village retreat centre in the heart of the UK: how this journey has evolved, what we are looking for, where we are at the moment, and also how you can get involved by adding your ideas and support.

We hope that this new spiritual home will serve our communities, and thousands from across the UK and beyond, for many years – and perhaps even generations – to come, and finding the very best conditions that we can for this is a central part of our project. 

Evolving Criteria for the Ideal Property

Following the commitment from senior Plum Village monastics in early 2024 to support the project and support teaching at the centre for 2-3 months per year, our search criteria have evolved. We are now seeking a property that can accommodate at least 100 retreatants, either immediately or through the potential for future expansion.

Our criteria for the ideal property includes the following:

  • Price Range: £2.5 – 3.5 million, assuming no major repair or building works are needed.
  • Meditation Hall: A hall of 200m² or larger is required.
  • Transport Links: Reasonable transport links, including a railway station within about 8 miles.
  • Land Size: At least 13 acres (5.5 hectares) for a happy farm and camping. A larger site would offer the potential for more extensive rewilding initiatives.
  • Accommodation: Ability to house retreats of up to 100 people in the longer term, excluding camping.
  • Environment: Peaceful, attractive, likely rural setting. Good surroundings for walking in nature but within reach of a town or city.
  • Location: Central or northern England for accessibility to the whole UK Sangha.

With our commitment to deep ecology, and in light of the UK’s Biodiversity Net Gain policies, we are exploring the possibility of rewilding areas of the land. This initiative would be managed by our Happy Farm team, aligning with our spiritual values to protect all life for the long term.  We can imagine a rewilding project stewarded by a monastery, that deeply benefits our natural world at the same time as the 2,000 practitioners who will visit our practice centre each year.

The Search Process

Our Property Team has been diligently searching for the right property. Promising properties are visited by at least two Property Team members. To date, we have visited around a dozen properties, with one or two showing great potential, though we are still searching for the perfect one.

The property market has recently shifted, with more suitable properties appearing. This, coupled with our ongoing fundraising campaign, means it is the perfect time to be looking. We are building relationships with estate agents and are optimistic about finding the right property soon.

Join Our Effort!

We are seeking one or two additional volunteers to join our Property Group. Our small, committed team consists of volunteer professionals with backgrounds in planning, property, architecture, finance, refurbishment and structural engineering. If you have an interest in online property searches, initial assessments, or visiting potential sites, we would love to hear from you. Experience related to property is a plus, and we are particularly keen to hear from individuals in the Midlands and the north of England to complement our team based in the south and south west.

If you have questions, suggestions or a property in mind that meets our criteria, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at property@plumvillage.uk.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in this exciting journey together.

With deep gratitude,

Hilary, Lawrence, Liz, Paul and Noah
The Being Peace Property Team