The Retreat Association

What The Retreat Association does

The Retreat Association is a UK-registered charity (no. 1150792) and non-profit company (no. 08385106) operating as the national ecumenical body for Christian retreats, headquartered in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire (membership site listed as Wycombe). It serves two interlocking customer bases: individuals and church groups seeking spiritual retreat experiences, and the 130+ retreat centres across and beyond the UK that deliver those experiences. Its core products are the 'Find a Retreat' interactive Google Maps directory (~9,000 monthly views), the annual printed Retreats Handbook listing 130+ centres, an online shop selling Icon reproductions and meditative resources, and a spiritual direction referral service. Underlying technology is minimal — a Wix-hosted website with an embedded Google Map — with no proprietary platform, app, API, or integrations.

The Association generates revenue through five streams: tiered annual membership subscriptions from retreat centres (rates scaled by centre size), one-off conference fees (e.g., Conference 2025 at Hayes, Derbyshire; Conference 2027 for Spiritual Direction Trainers), annual Find a Retreat listing fees, handbook and website advertising, and donations/gift aid/standing orders. Its go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, anchored by the 'Stop! in the name of God' quiet-reflection weekend (running since 1993) and multi-denominational partnerships with APR, the Baptist Union Retreat Group (BURG), the Catholic Spirituality Network (CSN), Reflect (Methodist Spirituality), and ARCHWAY. Leadership comprises Chair of Trustees Martin Davies and Director Alison MacTier, supported by a team of 1–10 staff.

Name

The Retreat Association

Legal name

The Retreat Association

Website

https://retreats.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Retreat Association is a UK national ecumenical Christian charity that connects individuals and church groups with 130+ Christian retreat centres via an online directory, annual handbook, conferences, and spiritual direction services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious / Spiritual Retreat Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wellness Retreats & Immersions (Multi-day, Digital Detox, Mind-Body Programs) (THAJAHAB)

Keywords

• Christian retreat directory
• Spiritual direction services
• Retreat centre membership
• Religious organisation services
• Ecumenical faith resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Wycombe

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership subscriptions: Retreat centres pay annual subscription fees to list in the handbook and access association benefits; rates vary according to centre size.
2. Handbook sales and advertising: Annual Retreats Handbook sold in Christian bookshops and directly; advertising available in handbook and on website.
3. Conference fees: Annual conference (e.g., Conference 2025 at Hayes, Derbyshire) generates revenue through attendee fees.
4. Donations and fundraising: The Association fundraises and promotes its interests; maintains own accounts including standing orders and gift aid.
5. Find a Retreat listing fees: Retreat centres can be included on the Find a Retreat map pages for an annual fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Retreat Association is a UK national ecumenical Christian non-profit that helps individuals find and engage with Christian retreats and spiritual direction. Its core offerings are a free online Find a Retreat directory (with interactive map, ~9,000 monthly views), an annual printed Retreats Handbook listing 130+ centres, an online shop, and resources that connect retreatants with centres and trained spiritual directors.

Product overview

The Retreat Association is a national ecumenical Christian organisation that operates as a directory and resource platform for Christian retreats and spirituality in the UK. The core offering consists of the Find a Retreat interactive map and directory, the annual Retreats Handbook listing over 130 retreat centres, an Online Shop for retreat-related merchandise, and Spiritual Direction Services connecting individuals with trained spiritual directors. The organisation also runs annual conferences (2022, 2025, 2027), the Stop! in the name of God silent reflection initiative (since 1993), and provides resources for individuals, groups, and retreat centre wardens. Membership is available with free handbook listings and advertising discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Find a Retreat Directory A searchable online directory with an interactive Google Maps integration that allows individual Christians to locate retreat centres across and beyond the UK, with direct links to each centre's own website. Free for users; centres pay an annual fee to be featured.
• Retreats Handbook An annual printed publication listing over 130 Christian retreat centres across and beyond the UK, distributed via Christian bookshops, retreat centres, and direct sales from the Association's office. Free listing in the Handbook is included with retreat-centre membership.
• Online Shop An online store offering merchandise including reproductions of the Retreat Association Icon, meditative CDs, leaflet packs, and Quiet Day packs to support individuals on their retreat journey.
• Spiritual Direction Services Spiritual direction (also called spiritual companionship or mentoring) connects individuals with trained spiritual directors for ongoing meetings (typically every 6–8 weeks) as they seek to deepen their relationship with God.
• Retreat Association Conferences Annual multi-day conferences held at UK venues for spiritual exploration and deepening faith, featuring speakers, workshops, worship, and creative contributions. Conference 2025 was held at Hayes, Derbyshire, and Conference 2027 is planned for Spiritual Direction Trainers.
• Stop! in the name of God A nationwide weekend of quiet reflection promoted since 1993, enabling Christians across the UK to organise local events promoting the value of silence and stillness. The 2026 event is scheduled for 10–12 July 2026.
• Resources & Guides Downloadable leaflets, themed retreat materials, planning guides, and information resources targeted at individuals, groups, and retreat centre wardens.
• Retreat Centre Membership Annual subscription programme for Christian retreat centres; rates vary by centre size, with benefits including a free listing in the annual Retreats Handbook and a 10% discount on advertising in the Handbook and on the website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9,000 monthly page views on Find a Retreat directory
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ARCHWAY (Association of Christian Retreat Houses)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARCHWAY works in partnership with The Retreat Association to support retreat house wardens through resources and events, including an annual conference.
• Association for Promoting Retreat (APR)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAPR is one of the denominational groups whose members can list retreat centres in the handbook and receive mailings.
• Baptist Union Retreat Group (BURG)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBURG is one of the denominational groups whose members can list retreat centres in the handbook and receive mailings.
• Catholic Spirituality Network (CSN)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCSN is one of the denominational groups whose members can list retreat centres in the handbook and receive mailings.
• Reflect (Methodist Spirituality)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerReflect (Methodist Spirituality) is one of the denominational groups whose members can list retreat centres in the handbook and receive mailings.
• St Katharine's Retreat HouseminorOthersConference 2022 was live streamed from the chapel at The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, London.
• Discovering PrayerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Retreat Association is working in partnership with Discovering Prayer to promote audio prayers online for those seeking quality time with God.
• The National Forum for Spiritual DirectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Forum for Spiritual Direction aims to support and resource spiritual directors, promote good practice and encourage creative development in this ministry.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Spiritual Directors International: Global membership body for spiritual directors with thousands of members worldwide. Comparable role in convening the spiritual-direction profession, though broader and US-headquartered; The Retreat Association partners with the equivalent UK National Forum for Spiritual Direction.
• Wild Goose Resource Group (Iona Community): Iona Community's publishing and resource arm producing worship, retreat and formation materials for the UK Christian market. Comparable mission of resourcing Christian spiritual practice, though more publishing-focused.
• Lee Abbey: Major UK Christian retreat and conference centre in Devon offering residential retreats, conferences and training; operates its own retreat facility while being part of the network The Retreat Association aggregates and promotes.

Direct peers

• Catholic Spirituality Network (CSN): Catholic denominational body promoting retreats and spiritual direction in the UK; partners with The Retreat Association to list Catholic retreat centres. Comparable faith-based retreat promotion activity.
• ARCHWAY (Association of Christian Retreat Houses): UK-based membership body specifically for retreat house wardens, partnering with The Retreat Association. Directly parallel mission — supporting Christian retreat houses — but focuses on warden support rather than retreatant-facing directory.
• Association for Promoting Retreat (APR): Anglican-focused retreat promotion body whose members list in The Retreat Association's handbook. Highly comparable mission of encouraging retreat participation across UK churches and denominations.
• Baptist Union Retreat Group (BURG): Baptist retreat-oriented subgroup within the Baptist Union of Great Britain; partners with The Retreat Association to list Baptist retreat centres. Comparable denominational retreat coordination role.
• Reflect (Methodist Spirituality): Methodist spirituality network affiliated with The Retreat Association through the ecumenical partnership. Comparable role promoting retreats and spiritual formation within a UK denomination.

Regional players

• Taizé Community: Ecumenical monastic community in France whose young-adult pilgrimage and retreat programs overlap with The Retreat Association's retreat audience, but operating primarily in continental Europe and with its own international pull.

Others

• Center for Action and Contemplation: US-based Christian contemplative organization offering online spiritual formation content and resources. Comparable mission of supporting Christian contemplative practice, but primarily digital-delivery rather than a directory of physical retreat centres.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RetreatsUK
• Instagraminstagram.com/Retreats.uk
• Xx.com/RetreatsUK

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Retreat Association