ROOKHOW 

LAKE DISTRICT group accommodation & woodland

easter gathering 3RD-6TH aPRIL 2026

'CONNECTING PEOPLE- BUILDING COMMUNITY'

An all-age community weekend of shared meals, discussions, walks, Epilogues, Easter egg hunt, egg throwing and toasting marshmallows round the campfire. Families, couples and single people of every age welcome, Quakers and non-Quakers. 

Suggested donation £120 adults. £60 for 21s and under or pay what you feel

fundraiser for the retreat away fund- south lakes acapella choir 

Monday 20th April 7pm. Donations (preferably cash) on the door. Email Kath to reserve a space: kath@rookhow.org.uk

This is a PPL PRS registered event.

quiet day Thursday 14th May

'Seeing the woods and the trees' 

A creative and reflective day with artist in residence Caroline Stow and geologist Clare de Villanueva. 10am-4pm. 

An invitation to practice being with trees and woodlands – use observation to read the relationships between trees and the life they support. Notice how trees have responded, in tree-time, to changes in their environment.


Join Caroline and Clare for an immersive day, developing connection to the woods in your own way, through ecology, landscape, culture, and creative expression. There will be opportunities for creativity and journalling with a paper and pencil, as well as movement and stillness, conversation and quiet.

Bring a packed lunch. Suggested donation £30 (preferably cash on the day). 

CULTIVATING PEACE: 12 HABITS OF A RECONCILER

15th-17th May 2026

A weekend led by Hannah Larn (photo) and Anna Caffell from the Rose Castle Foundation. Throughout our reflective time together we’ll be exploring the 12 habits of a reconciler, including gratitude, creativity, curiosity, and how to hold on to hope, especially during times of conflict and change. 

These 12 habits have been seen time and time again among ordinary peacemakers who have managed to cross deep lines of division and sow lasting peace in their local communities. We’ll be sharing some practical tools and reflective practices to encourage us to build these practices into our everyday lives, so we too can be people of peace in our communities.

Suggested donation £150 or pay what you feel


LANEQUEST Tuesday 9th June

Cycle orienteering event organised by Wheelbase. More info soon. 

fundraiser for the retreat away fund- Midsummer social Thursday 25th June 2026

A social evening to bring together local people and Rookhow supporters to raise money for the Retreat Away Fund.  Following on from the success of the 'Let the light in' midwinter event, this is a chance to celebrate the height of Summer. Shared meal, music, stories and campfire. Bring cash on the day and there will be a Sumup machine for card donations. More details soon. Contact Kath to express interest: kath@rookhow.org.uk


MEET A TREE DAY 

THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER WITH GARETH THOMAS

Spend a day getting to know a tree inside and out! You will never look at a tree in quite the same way...


How does a tree move water, support massive branches, drop it’s leaves in Autumn? What lives in, on and under a tree? How does a tree inter-relate with the world around it? What is our ancestral and spiritual connection to trees and why do we feel such a bond with them? How can we use the timber and retain traditional skills in woodwork and woodland care?

What does it look like?

We will explore the structural, forestry, ecological and spiritual aspects of trees and our relationships with them. There will be hands on activities that help you understand trees alongside an opportunity to carve a reminder of your day. The day will leave you with a deepened understanding and sense of wonder at the trees we all pass every day and don’t often acknowledge for how special they are.

Please come dressed for the weather and bring a packed lunch.

Suggested donation £40

A FOUNDATION TRAINING IN NON VIOLENT COMMUNICATION

16TH-18TH October 2026

With Shona Cameron

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a practical, learnable process for communicating with empathy, honesty, power and compassion. The purpose of NVC is to ensure everyone’s needs are valued equally and fulfilled in ways that contribute to connection, harmony and peace. Nonviolent Communication develops people’s ability to listen to and transform blame, anger and criticism into respectful, constructive communication, and to resolve conflicts peacefully. 


NVC is a means for giving feedback empathically, so as to sustain self esteem, and enable people to learn and grow. NVC has a profound effect on our relationships and on the contexts of our lives.

This training which presents the concepts and tools used in NVC; introduces you to the steps of the NVC process for use in expressing yourself to others, listening to others and listening compassionately to yourself, will give you sufficient information and practice to start using NVC in your daily life.


Suggested donation £150 or pay what you feel

ACTIVE HOPE with Gareth Thomas 12th-14th March 2027

'The Work That Reconnects' - Joanna Macy's inspiring and powerful programme that helps us support ourselves and those around us in challenging times.


Gareth is a trained facilitator in 'The Work That Reconnects'. The concept was developed by Joanna Macy alongside many other people over her lifetime.

The process takes you on a spiral transitioning through four key stages:

  • Coming from Gratitude
  • Honoring Our Pain for the World
  • Seeing with New/Ancient Eyes
  • Going Forth
Here is a link to more information about the work of Joanna Macy.


Suggested donation £150 or pay what you feel