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4 Day Yoga and Silent Meditation Retreat in Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Trigonos, Plas Bala Deulyn, Caernarfon LL54 6BW, Wales, UK
UK Short Silent Meditation Retreat
Join Samadhi Retreats & Meditation for a 4-day silent Buddhist meditation retreat in the breathtaking setting of the Snowdonia National Park. During this silent shamatha meditation retreat, led by Buddhist meditation teacher, David Johnson, and accredited yoga teacher, Manu Orozco. You will explore methods for cultivating tranquillity (shamatha) through body, breath, and mind. Through shamatha meditation, you will train your attention skills and improve your focus and concentration. These practices allow you to unwind, let go of stress and worry, and cultivate mental and emotional balance.
Meet the instructors
David & Manuel
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Highlights
- Daily guided meditations
- Fully silent meditation retreat
- Deepen your experience of Buddhist meditation
- Daily relaxing and restoring Vinyasa yoga sessions
- 18 acres of grounds to enjoy, including rivers, gardens, a lake, and an orchard
- Fully catered with freshly-prepared plant-based meals
- Lake and mountain views
- 3 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
4 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 26 participants
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
16:00
Check-out Time:
14:00
Facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Lobby
- Lounge
- Meditation garden
- Picnic area
- Smoke-free property
- Conference room
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Library
- Parking lot
- Wireless internet
Every room is bright and spacious, and with varying views – the main house overlooks the lake, mountains, and gardens, and other buildings have views of the courtyard, gardens, and orchard, all of which come to life in the summer months.
All bedrooms come equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities, towels, and complimentary shower gel. There are single, double, and twin rooms available, some of which are en-suite and some non-ensuite. All are comfortable, uncluttered, and simply furnished.
Program
Day 1
- 16:00 - Check-in and arrival
- 17:45 - Introduction and Orientation (with David and Manu)
- 19:00 - Dinner in the Dining Room
- 20:30 - Evening guided meditation (with David)
Day 2
- 08:00 - Morning Vinyasa yoga (with Manu)
- 08:30 - Breakfast
- 09:30 - Session 1 – Meditation and Workshop (with David)
- 11:00 - Mid-morning tea, coffee, and biscuits
- 11:45 - Session 2 – Meditation and Workshop (with David)
- 13:00 - Lunch in the Dining Room
- 15:00 - Private silent practice
- 15:30 - Afternoon tea, coffee, and cake
- 17:00 - Session 3 – Meditation and Workshop (with David)
- 18:30 - Dinner in the Dining Room
- 20:30 - Evening Vinyasa yoga (with Manu)
Day 3
- 08:00 - Morning Vinyasa yoga (with Manu)
- 08:30 - Breakfast
- 09:30 - Session 1 – Meditation and Workshop (with David)
- 11:00 - Mid-morning tea, coffee, and biscuits
- 11:45 - Session 2 – Meditation and Workshop (with David)
- 13:00 - Lunch in the Dining Room
- 15:00 - Afternoon Vinyasa yoga (with Manu)
- 15:30 - Afternoon tea, coffee, and cake
- 17:00 - Session 3 – Meditation and Workshop (with David)
- 18:30 - Dinner in the Dining Room
- 20:30 - Evening guided meditation (with David)
Day 4
- 08:00 - Morning Vinyasa yoga (with Manu)
- 08:30 - Breakfast
- 09:45 - Session 7 – Meditation and Workshop (with David)
- 11:00 - Mid-morning tea, coffee, and biscuits
- 11:45 - Session 8 – Meditation and Workshop (with David)
- 13:00 - Lunch in the Dining Room
- 14:00 - Retreat ends
Arrival and Checkout
Arrival on Monday is from 4 p.m. and the retreat will begin at 6 p.m. with a welcome session and guided meditation and dinner will be at 7 p.m. You are free to go home after lunch on Thursday, at approximately 2 p.m. You will be provided with a schedule on arrival.
During your free time between sessions, you can relax, rest, or take a walk as you wish.
Overview
The ultimate purpose of shamatha meditation is to achieve advanced states of samadhi, or meditative concentration, where one is able to focus unwavering attention on a single object. The Buddha strongly emphasised the importance of achieving shamatha in order to achieve personal liberation. Shamatha is, therefore, an indispensable practice for those seeking awakening.
Sessions with Manu will complement your practice, as Manu shares gentle asanas from the yogic traditions which deepen your tranquillity and enhance your connection with the body. The soothing and healing yoga sessions also help to improve physical flexibility, strength and resistance.
About Silent Retreat: Deepening tranquillity and insight through silence
In our world, we are surrounded by noise, external and internal, which drowns out our peace of mind and inner wisdom and compassion. Silent retreats are a wonderful way of deepening our practice, cultivating inner stillness and discovering insight.
Periods of extended silence can be a liberating experience, allowing us to get to know our minds at a deeper level. Through letting go of the familiar world of words we give ourselves space from the complexities of social interactions and can come to see our mind and its activity more clearly.
How does it work?
During the retreat, from dinner on the first day up until lunch on the last day, attendees are asked to maintain complete silence, including non-verbal communication. This means you will have time to get to know the rest of the group on the first day and reflect and discuss with each other on the last.
Spending four days in silence with others is not without its challenges – it can feel unusual and awkward at first, and there may be periods when you feel uncomfortable being alone with your mind. However, attendees often find that being together in this way allows them to explore a degree of solitude while having the safety, connection and support of like-minded people. You will be supported during your inner exploration by each other and by your group leaders who will be around to help you.
Prerequisite
This retreat is primarily for those who feel ready for a silent retreat. Samadhi Retreats & Meditation recommends that attendees have prior experience of a meditation retreat or established meditation practice. If you’re unsure if this is you but you’re keen to come along, please get in touch with Samadhi Retreats & Meditation beforehand.
Silent retreat can be challenging for individuals who are experiencing psychological or emotional difficulties, and it may not be appropriate at this time. Attendees must feel mentally well in order to attend.
Instructors
David Johnson
3 Certificates
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David is an international Buddhist meditation teacher, author and retreat leader. He will lead this weekend retreat, run the workshops and guided meditations, and be on hand as a mentor to support you. He is an experienced Buddhist contemplative and meditation guide who has studied and taught internationally for several years. He is the co-founder of Samadhi and a qualified mindfulness teacher. His teaching style is clear and practical, and his warm and humorous approach makes him a popular mindfulness teacher.
Manuel Orozco Jimenez
1 Certificate
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Manuel is an accredited yoga teacher and retreat coordinator. Manu is the retreat coordinator and accredited yoga teacher. He will guide your morning Vinyasa yoga sessions and alongside the venue hosts, will be around to assist you during your retreat and make sure you have a wonderful experience. He is the co-founder of Samadhi and a mental health first aider. Manu’s laid-back approach and kind heart have a warming and inspiring impact on the retreatants and he is much loved by all.
Location
About the Venue
Set in the Nantlle Valley in the Snowdonia National Park, Trigonos Retreat Centre offers a warm welcome, breathtaking views, comfortable rooms, and spacious grounds. With 18 acres of pure tranquillity, gardens, meadows, woodland and streams, and an awe-inspiring lake bordering the entire property, this Centre is the ideal setting for a silent retreat of relaxation, reflection, and renewal.
About the Grounds
The retreat takes place in a tranquil 18-acre estate set in a Snowdonia valley, bordering a lake on one side within a superb mountain landscape that looks up to the west face of Snowdon. Gardens, meadows, woodland and streams, orchards, and vegetable patches take up most of the 18 acres.
There is so much space to simply wander or sit and contemplate, with the far-reaching views and the tranquillity of the meandering river and lake enhancing our inner stillness and reflection, perfect for a silent retreat.
Food
The retreat is fully catered with fresh and enticing plant-based delicacies. Meals consist of continental breakfasts, fresh buffet-style lunches, and buffet-style evening meals followed by dessert, biscuits, fresh fruit, teas and coffee. There will also be mid-morning and afternoon tea, coffee and homemade treats.
The chefs are skilled at creating tasty dishes that are freshly cooked and nutritious. The emphasis is on fresh and seasonal produce, using home-grown whenever this is possible. In season, the Centre grows a variety of vegetables, fruits and salad for the table. Their produce is grown to Organic and Biodynamic principles and without the use of herbicides, insecticides, or artificial fertilisers.
The chef can cater for a wide variety of dietary requirements. Please ensure you have submitted your dietary information to Samadhi Retreats & Meditation at the time of booking to make sure that the chef caters accordingly. If a diet is extremely specialised, then there may be a supplementary charge.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Lactose Free
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- Tea, coffee, and refreshments on arrival
- 3 nights accommodation
- Continental breakfast with a wide selection of items to choose from
- Mid-morning tea, coffee, and homemade treats
- Seasonal homemade lunches followed by fresh fruit, teas, and fresh coffee
- Afternoon tea, coffee, and homemade treats
- Dinner with a substantial main course, followed by dessert, biscuits, fresh fruit, teas, and coffee
- Complimentary car parking for the duration of your stay
- Relaxing and restoring Vinyasa yoga sessions every morning
- Vinyasa yoga sessions in the afternoon
- Workshops with international meditation guide and retreat leader, David Johnson
- Relaxing guided meditations – which are easy to follow and can be practiced at home
- Dharma talks – exploring the theory and practice of shamatha and Buddhist psychology
- Full days of Noble Silence
- Opportunities to discuss with others and ask questions
- 18 acres of beautiful grounds to explore and enjoy
- Local countryside walks and places of interest nearby
What's not included
- Travel Insurance
- Travel to and from the venue
- Flights
How to get there
Recommended Airports
MAN
Manchester Airport
133 km
Transfer not provided
LPL
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
96 km
Transfer not provided
Driving directions
Trigonos is easily found on Google Maps. It is situated in the village of Nantlle on the B4418, between Penygroes and Rhyd Ddu. Caernarfon is the nearest town and Bangor is the nearest mainline railway station (West Coast mainline)
Samadhi Retreats & Meditation offers some routes for travelling by road because the experience of using satnavs is very varied. Often the satnav takes you on a longer and slower route than is necessary and on roads that can be clogged in high summer and difficult in the midst of winter.
Driving directions from the North
Take the A55 toward Bangor/Holyhead. Ignore the first junction signposted to Bangor and leave at the following junction, signposted Caernarfon & Bangor. Follow signs for A487 to Caernarfon and then Porthmadog. About 5 miles beyond Caernarfon, at a roundabout, take the first exit, signposted Penygroes. In Penygroes, turn left just after the traffic lights at the crossroads, signposted to Nantlle. After 150 yards turn right at the T junction and continue for 1.5 miles. At the next T junction turn right to Nantlle/Beddgelert and carry on for 2 miles into the village of Nantlle. The entrance to Trigonos is on the right and well signposted.
Driving directions from South and Mid-Wales
Follow the A470 through Dolgellau and then the A487 towards Caernarfon. About 5 miles before Caernarfon take the third exit at a roundabout, signposted Penygroes. After 200 yards, at the next roundabout, take the first exit. After a quarter of a mile turn right at the crossroads just before a set of pedestrian lights (signposted to Nantlle). Continue as above.
Driving directions from the Midlands and South of England
There are many possible routes, some more scenic than others. M54 on to the A5. Follow to Bangor, then join the North route (A487 to Caernarfon) above. M54 on to A5 up to Capel Curig. Left onto A4086/A498 to Beddgelert. Then A4085 to Rhyd Ddu and left onto the B4418 to Nantlle. Drive through the first part of Nantlle and after 200 yards of open land, turn left into the Trigonos driveway. Please note that this is a scenic but high-level route and may be difficult in poor conditions.
Arrival by airplane
The nearest international airports are Manchester and Liverpool (2 hours driving or train connections).
Arrival by bus
National Express coaches stop in Caernarfon from where you can get a taxi or local bus (see next section).
Unfortunately, there is no longer a direct bus from Bangor to Nantlle, but there are buses from Bangor to Caernarfon. The 1N from Caernarfon serves Nantlle and connects with other buses running from Bangor, Caernarfon and Porthmadog. N.B. The 1A and 1C have different destinations. The 1A will take you as far as Penygroes before diverting and the 1c to Talysarn, about 2 miles from Nantlle. The bus stop in Nantlle is only a few steps from Trigonos. For your return journey, the 5A bus will take you back to Bangor station from Nantlle, but there is just one early morning bus. The Gwynedd Council website has all the bus timetables.
There is also the T2 bus from Bangor-Aberystwyth which stops at Penygroes (2 miles from Trigonos)
Arrival by train
The nearest mainline stations are Bangor (West Coast mainline) or if travelling from mid-Wales, Porthmadog.
Arrival by taxi
Samadhi Retreats & Meditation recommends booking in advance with Ivan’s Taxis. For taxis to and from Bangor train station and major airports, they have an agreement with Trigonos to collect and deliver the guests at fixed rates.
To or from Bangor Station:
- Car or Minibus with 1 passenger 31 GBP
- Car or Minibus with 2 or 3 passengers 35 GBP
- Minibus with 4 or more passengers 45 GBP
This service is not available from taxis at the station taxi rank. They may charge significantly more. Ivan’s Taxis will pick you up from the front of the station (adjacent to platform 1) or the rear carpark (adjacent to platform 2) depending on your arrival platform. They cannot collect you from the usual taxi rank adjoining Platform 1. Please check the pick-up location when you book with Ivan’s Taxis.
To or from Manchester or Liverpool Airports:
- Car or Minibus with 1, 2 or 3 passengers 105 GBP
- Minibus with 4 or more passengers 125 GBP
Ivan’s Taxis can cater for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Please advise them at the time of booking
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 28 days before arrival.
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