West Country Conference and Retreat Centre

Withyditch Chapel Centre

A new Centre for quiet days, courses and retreats in the beautiful countryside to the south-west of Bath The Schoolroom is equipped with kitchen and toilet facilities and can be used for seating at tables for parties of 30 to 35.

Chapel

Schoolroom

Withyditch Chapel Centre consists of two vernacular buildings, a former Baptist Chapel which has been a place of prayer since 1839 and the Schoolroom which is nearby. They have a long recorded history and stand in a beautiful location overlooking the quiet Cam Valley. The view from the Schoolroom lawn is shown below. There is always adequate free parking available in the lane. A large extra grassed lawn can be made available for additional parking or function if required. The Centre is easily reached from the A367 (the old Fosse Way) about 5 miles to the south-west of Bath.

The Chapel itself is a simple rectangular building with a pulpit at the eastern end, an adjoining vestry and a small gallery at the west end. The atmosphere is special and in many peoples experience it is a “Thin Place”, a very special place for a number of reasons. It has a regular monthly Service on the first Sunday at 3pm and is still licenced for Weddings. There is an electronic organ, a microphone loudspeaker system and a hearing aid loop. A central heating system has been installed. Adjoining the chapel is a Quiet Garden with a “pousada”- overlooking the valley and the surrounding fields. The Chapel is suitable for Quiet Days, Retreats, Conferences and similar gatherings and can be hired by itself or together with the Schoolroom.

The Schoolroom is in an elevated position a few yards up the lane. The room is virtually square with a kitchen and indoor wheelchair accessible toilet. There are also outdoor flush toilets. It will seat up to 30 to 35 at tables and cater for more Buffet Style. Shown below are the extensive views from the front lawn. This has drawn praise for it’s location and “Landscape ART” classes are being run. The room is suitable for meetings, classes of various sorts, small parties, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings etc.

The buildings can be hired separately or together by the hour, evening, day or half day as required. Special terms could be negotiated for weekend or extended use. Local shops are only 2 miles away, Bath City centre 6 miles.

River Cam Valley

Location

Withyditch Chapel Centre lies on the side of the Cam valley about 5 miles south-west of Bath, just off the A367 Fosse Way

(Bath to Radstock, Shepton Mallet and the South-west) and the B3115 road through Tunley to Timsbury.

Click on the link below for a map of the area.

CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Buses

First Badgerline run the 179 bus service from Bath Bus Station (adjacent to Bath Train Station) along the B3115 at about two hourly intervals Monday to Saturday, and a less frequent 779 service evenings and Sundays. The journey takes about 17 minutes. Leave the bus at Withyditch Lane and walk down the country lane to Withyditch. This is a distance of about half a mile gently down the side of the hill.

For details of the service click on the FirstBadgerline Bus link below(and then 179 in the Service box followed by Day of week required).

CLICK HERE FOR TIMETABLE

Withyditch Chapel Services

On the first Sunday of each month at 3.00pm there is a service at the Chapel

A retiring offering is taken for the work of the Centre.

We look forward to meeting you here

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Contact us via links below for further information:-

Colin Ryan - Spiritual Leader - 01761 432087

Colin Rich - Treasurer - 01761 432459

For bookings, hire charges and availability, contact:-Tony Hearn 01761 470507

Or Caroline Frances –King Art bookings 01761 479578