Douai Abbey  ·  Upper Woolhampton, Berkshire

Come and stay awhile

A place of welcome

The door is always open

For over four centuries, Douai Abbey has welcomed those who come seeking rest, prayer and renewal. Whether you come for a single quiet day or a longer stay, as an individual or as a group, you will find a warm welcome from the community and the peace of a place given over entirely to the presence of God.

Guests are warmly invited to join the monks for the Divine Office and Mass in the abbey church — the daily rhythm of prayer that has marked the hours here since the community's foundation.

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A guest room at Douai Abbey
Retreats & Guesthouse

Rest & renewal

Our guesthouse offers 22 fully en-suite rooms, including four fully accessible rooms for guests with mobility needs. Each room is simply and comfortably furnished — a space for rest, reflection and prayer.

Guests are welcome for private retreats, quiet days, or simply a few days of rest in peaceful surroundings. Groups and conferences can also be accommodated — please contact the Guestmaster to discuss your needs.

For details of availability and costs, please use the enquiry form below or contact the Guestmaster directly.

Make an Enquiry
Self-catering

The Cottages

Our self-catering cottages are ideal for families, school groups and youth retreats. Private and fully self-contained, they offer hostel-style accommodation for up to 15 guests in upstairs rooms, together with a separate downstairs bedroom for group leaders or parents.

The cottages sit in the heart of the monastery grounds, with the abbey church and its daily rhythm of prayer on the doorstep — a wonderful setting for a group retreat or a family break in peaceful Berkshire countryside.

For further information and availability, please contact the Guestmaster.

Make an Enquiry
The cottages at Douai Abbey
"Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ."
The Rule of St Benedict, Chapter 53
Workshops & Reflection Days

Pastoral Programme

Throughout the year Douai Abbey offers a programme of workshops, reflection days and retreats, drawing on the rich traditions of Benedictine spirituality and welcoming all who wish to deepen their faith or simply find space to think and pray. Each day runs from 10.30am to 4pm (arrivals and coffee from 10am). Please bring your own lunch. A contribution of £20 is made on the day; coffee and tea are provided.

2–5 April Holy Week Retreat for Young People

Again reserved for young adults. Thank you!

Saturday 25 April Life's Fragility

Reflecting on the reality of loss, ageing, sickness and death. Led by Clare Carlisle and John Cottingham. Do today's solutions measure up to what older philosophical and spiritual traditions offer us?

Saturday 9 May Finding Divine Sabbath in a 24/7 Digital World

Led by Elisabeth and Roger Major. How to apply Jesus' teaching about the Sabbath? Where is rest and relief to be found in a relentless culture?

Saturday 6 June Contemplative Photography

Led by Roddy Maddocks. Through gentle guidance and quiet reflection, learn to attune to light, colour, texture and stillness — exploring the monastery's grounds and sacred spaces with an open heart.

Saturday 13 June Wider Horizons of the Spirit III

Encounters of a 1980s Indian Journey, led by Peter Bowe OSB. From a year with Bede Griffiths at Shantivanam — how does Christ relate to Hinduism and Buddhism? How to live by faith in a secular world?

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Sacred Music

Concerts at Douai Abbey

Throughout the year the abbey church hosts a rich programme of sacred music concerts, drawing choirs and ensembles of the highest quality. Some are organised by the abbey; others are presented by visiting organisations with their own booking arrangements. The abbey's own Douai Abbey Singers sing regularly at the Sunday liturgy and major feasts.

Saturday 18 April, 7.30pm Berkshire County Choirs

Presented by the Berkshire Music Trust. Bimbi Shaw-Cotterill and Isobel Whitworth, conductors.

Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk/berksmusictrust
Friday 15 May, 7.30pm The Sixteen: Choral Pilgrimage

Presented by Newbury Spring Festival. Harry Christophers, conductor.

Tickets: newburyspringfestival.org.uk
Saturday 16 May, 7.30pm 75th Anniversary Concert

Magnificat settings by Bach and Durante/Pergolesi, Mozart and Marian Motets. Goring Chamber Choir, Charivari Agréable. Frances Brewitt-Taylor, conductor.

Tickets: goringchamberchoir.org.uk
Saturday 20 June, 7.30pm Gloria!

Music by Vivaldi and Bob Chilcott. Tamesis Chamber Choir. Louise Rapple Moore, conductor.

Tickets: tamesischamberchoir.com
Saturday 11 July, 7.30pm An American Mass

Movements by a diversity of American composers. Reading Bach Choir. Daniel Mahoney, conductor.

Tickets: readingbachchoir.org.uk
Saturday 19 September, 7.30pm 'Love is as strong as'

Music inspired by the Song of Songs, from Victoria to MacMillan. Echo Vocal Ensemble. Sarah Latto, conductor. "Sublime, spirited... completely assured." (The Arts Desk)

Tickets: echo-choir.com/upcoming
Saturday 14 November, 7.30pm Cecilia Consort

Details to come.

Tickets: ceciliaconsort.org.uk
Saturday 28 November, 7.30pm Newbury Chamber Choir

Details to come.

Tickets: newburychamberchoir.org
Tuesday 31 December, 3.30pm Contemporary Music for Advent & Christmas

Commotio, Oxford's leading performers of contemporary choral music. Matthew Berry, conductor.

Tickets: commotio.org
Summer Series Douai Summer Organ Celebration Series

A special series of organ recitals celebrating Douai's magnificent Tickell organ, with internationally acclaimed artists.

Wednesday 13 May, 7.30pm Simon Johnson

Master of Music, Westminster Cathedral. Organ music for the Feast of the Ascension, including Messiaen's L'Ascension. Jointly promoted by Douai Abbey and the Newbury Spring Festival.

Tickets: newburyspringfestival.org.uk
Saturday 30 May, 7.30pm David Briggs — Organ Fireworks!

Artist-in-Residence, Cathedral Church of St John the Divine, NYC. Putting Douai's Tickell organ through its paces.

Tickets: Eventbrite or on the door
Sunday 31 May, 10.30am David Briggs with Douai Abbey Singers

David Briggs accompanies the Douai Abbey Singers for the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.

All welcome
Sunday 14 June, 10.30am & 6.45pm Christian Alejandro Almada

Titular Organist, Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, Rome. 10.30am: Accompanies the Douai Abbey Singers for Mass. 6.45pm: Post-Vespers Organ Recital (preceded by Vespers at 6pm, to which all are welcome).

Retiring collection (evening recital)
Sunday 5 July, 12 noon Oliver Walker — Seasonal Organ Music

Douai Abbey's Director of Music performs seasonal organ music.

Retiring collection
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Get in touch

Concert Enquiry

Whether you have a question about a specific concert or a more general enquiry, please fill in the form below and we will get back to you.

Find us

Getting here

Address Douai Abbey
Upper Woolhampton
Reading, Berkshire
RG7 5TQ
Train Midgham station is the nearest, on the Reading–Newbury line.
Parking Free on-site parking is available for all guests.
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Contact the Guestmaster

Get in touch

Email guestmaster@douaiabbey.org.uk
Phone +44 (0)118 971 5399

For group stays, conferences and cottage bookings, we warmly encourage you to get in touch directly — we are happy to discuss your needs and help plan your visit.

How to find us
Plan your visit

Guesthouse Enquiry

Please fill in the form below and the Guestmaster will be in touch to discuss your stay. Fields marked * are required.