Gay retreats in the UK: where they happen and what's on offer

Gay men's weeks with the Edward Carpenter Community

The Edward Carpenter Community is open to "all men who love men, whether they identify as gay, bisexual, trans or queer", of any age. It runs one-week residential retreats, which it calls gay men's weeks, as well as weekends and one-day workshops around the UK.

Its November week at High Close, the YHA hostel in Langdale in the Lake District, is now closed for bookings. The next one you can book is the New Year week there, from 29 December 2026 to 5 January 2027.

The November programme gives a good picture of how these weeks work. Days include fell walks and gentler walks, workshops led by the participants themselves, swims in a nearby tarn for anyone who wants one, and films in the evening. Small groups meet for an hour before dinner each day, and nothing is compulsory. The November week has caterers who cook all the meals, which are vegetarian or vegan, and everyone helps with the cleaning and washing-up a few times during the week. Rooms are shared dormitories with bunk beds, and there are no single rooms.

Prices are on a sliding scale according to your income, taken on trust, so men on low incomes pay less. There's also a bursary fund for men who need extra help. The New Year week's price isn't on its page yet, so ask the community before you book.

If you'd like to meet people before committing to a week, the community also has local groups, including a monthly heart circle in Brighton and Rainbow Spirit in Birmingham.

Meditation at Sharpham in Devon

The Sharpham Trust, near Totnes in South Devon, runs an LGBTQIA+ mindfulness retreat every year. It's mixed rather than men-only, open to anyone aged 18 or over under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, with any amount of meditation experience or none.

The next one listed starts on 12 February 2027: four nights at Sharpham House, with guided and sitting meditation, mindful movement, walks and time in the gardens. Each evening is silent from 9pm until 9.50am the next morning.

There are 20 places at most. Single rooms cost £555, £595 or £695 depending on the room, with vegetarian and vegan meals included. Bursary places are also available for people on low incomes.

Hostel and walking weekends with OutdoorLads

OutdoorLads isn't a retreat in the yoga or meditation sense, but a weekend away with the group can offer something similar: time outdoors, shared experiences and the chance to make new friends.

It describes itself as the UK's largest outdoor activities group for gay, bi and trans men, organising walks, camping and hostel weekends, as well as activities such as canoeing and mountain biking.

On hostel weekends, the group often has exclusive use of the building. Rooms are shared, usually with bunk beds, and facilities vary by venue. The exact arrangements for meals and accommodation are explained on each event listing, so check before booking.

You can join as a pay-as-you-go member without an annual subscription. Full membership costs £65 a year and typically saves £20 to £30 per event. New members also get two free trial coupons. Each one covers a free walking, cycling, outdoor climbing or scrambling event, or can be used towards a hostel or camping weekend.

It's an inexpensive way to find out whether you enjoy spending a weekend with a group of men you've never met.

Where they happen and how to get there

Most UK retreats are in the countryside. The ones above take in the Lake District and Devon, in youth hostels, country houses and retreat centres.

High Close is in Langdale, in the Lake District, with Windermere being the nearest main railway station. You'll need to arrange onward transport to the hostel, so ask the Edward Carpenter Community about shared taxis or lifts before travelling.

Sharpham House is near Totnes, which has a railway station with connections to the wider UK rail network. OutdoorLads members often share lifts, which is worth asking about if a venue is difficult to reach without a car.

Pack for rain whatever the month, and bring layers. A lot of the appeal of a UK retreat is a long walk followed by a warm room, so take the walking seriously.

Your rights as a gay guest

In England, Scotland and Wales, the Equality Act 2010 protects you from discrimination because of your sexual orientation when you're a customer. This includes using a hotel, hostel or other service. Northern Ireland has its own equality legislation, which also covers discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation when you're using a service or buying goods.

If you think you've been treated unfairly, GOV.UK and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland explain where to get advice. Equality law does include certain exceptions, so the precise position can depend on the circumstances.

In practice, the retreats above are run by and for LGBTQ+ people, so this is more likely to matter if you book a mainstream retreat centre that simply welcomes LGBTQ+ guests. How to choose an LGBTQ+ retreat explains the difference between those and a queer-only week.