Othona West Dorset

Othona West Dorset is run by a small residential team who provide an experience of living in community for visitors staying in our 14-room community house, as they attend programmed events throughout the year. We see Othona as “A place to be real together”. While our roots are in the Christian heritage, we are open to all based on mutual respect and a sense of the everyday sacred. In approaching spirituality we are light-hearted, down to earth and unafraid to face change. Othona particularly suits people who are on a journey to discover their spiritual path or find a way to evove within Christian faith. Some of us on team see ourselves as Christian and some do not, or acknowledge other faith traditions as a guiding presence. Within the team and visitors we affirm diversity among people in faith, spirituality, age, ability, race, background and sexual orientation. For a new generation of retreat seekers we offer an informal community atmosphere, a simple lifestyle, and home cooking against a backdrop of great natural beauty. We schedule plenty of time for personal retreat in a community setting, often with creative arts. Othona is distinguished by the way visitors can join in a whole rhythm of life from gardening to leading chapel services. Singing, music, silence, candlelight and mindfulness are part of our life. Events during the school holidays are usually child friendly. Our stone house is set in 6 acres on the West Dorset coast and can accommodate 30 visitors. Located above the first natural World Heritage Site, Chesil Beach: walking, bird-watching and beachcombing are popular activities.