General Information
Single Room Requests: During group retreats accommodation is mainly in shared rooms. A very limited number of single rooms are available, and priority is given to the elderly or people with severe medical conditions. Requests for single rooms need to be made at the time of booking and single rooms will be allocated by the Household Manager according to need. We are unable to meet requests for single rooms that are made on the opening day of retreats.
Giving of Service: We request that retreatants offer one hour per day of their time whilst on retreat towards the running of the house. Gaia House relies on this offering of service in order to keep our costs down. The work may be washing-up, house cleaning, maintenance, gardening or whatever the house needs at that time. If you are unable to do a work period or only able to offer light work it is important that you inform Reception of your situation when booking.
Room Cleaning: Retreatants are asked to clean their own rooms on the day of departure.
Diet/Food: Gaia House offers a healthy balanced vegetarian diet that may include eggs and dairy produce. A vegan diet is available as an alternative for those who specify. For people with a specific medical condition who cannot eat either, a simple diet of grain, steamed vegetables and plain pulses or tofu can also be provided. Any queries regarding diet need to be referred to a Kitchen Manager.
Access for People with Disabilities: We welcome people with disabilities. Gaia House is a rambling old house, however the ground floor of the house is accessible for people in wheelchairs and those with restricted mobility. If you have any mobility needs please telephone Reception who will be happy to provide you with information about the house and discuss your needs whilst on retreat. In some cases a carer may stay free of charge to support a retreatant who needs personal care.
Travel Arrangements: Gaia House is easily accessible by train or coach to Newton Abbot (less than three hours from London Paddington by train). If you are able to offer a ride to Gaia House, please let the managers know. Travel details will be sent upon receipt of your booking deposit. It is also possible to offer or request lift share by posting a message to the Lift Board
Arriving at Gaia House: For group retreats, registration takes place between 2pm and 5pm. A light evening meal is served at 6pm. The retreat begins at 7.30pm with the opening talk. Participants in the group retreats are expected to arrive on the first day and stay for the entire period of the retreat. If you are unable to arrive during registration time, please let us know your intended time of arrival and whether this is your first visit to Gaia House. Weekend retreats end around 3.30pm on the Sunday, while longer retreats usually formally end around noon. Retreatants are welcome to stay to lunch on the last day of longer retreats. Personal retreatants are asked to inform managers in advance of their time of arrival and whether they are coming for the first time.
Camping at Gaia House: Gaia House has a limited number of camping places for group retreats. For information on prices and availability please contact the managers.
Mailing List: To go on or stay on our mailing list please tick the mailing list box on our registration form when you come to Gaia House. If you have not been to Gaia House in the past five years, you will no longer be on the mailing list but can request the current programme by sending your name and address to the managers. An A4 stamped addressed envelope is appreciated. Please inform us if you change your address so we can keep the mailing list updated. Please inform the managers if you wish to have your name removed from the mailing list. Gaia House complies with the regulations of the Data Protection Act. It does not supply third parties with any information from its database without prior consent.
Meditation Groups: A network of meditation groups (sitting groups) around Britain has been established through Gaia House. If you would like to start such a group or participate in one already established, please refer to the Gaia House website for an information document or contact the managers for further information. Sitting Group information is regularly published in the Gaia House newsletters.
Insight Tapes: Insight Tapes is a non-profit service, which maintains a library of over 1000 taped talks by Gaia House teachers. If sent by post the rates are as follows:
UK: £5.00 per tape
Rest of the world: £5.50 per tape
A selected number of recent talks are available through our tape catalogue, which can be obtained by writing or contacting the managers at Gaia House. This information can also be viewed at Recorded Talks
