Hilfield Friary

The bell near the entrance to the Courtyard

Where the wooded slopes of Batcombe Hill meet the rolling pasture land of the Wriggle Valley you may find, if you are lucky, Hilfield Friary.  Once a shooting lodge for the Earl of Sandwich, these buildings have been a Franciscan Friary since 1921.

Here visitors and guests may enjoy peace and tranquillity for courses, retreats and 'quiet days'.

For more information visit www.franciscans.org.uk/ h-hilfieldguide.html

Click here for a Press Release received 24/05/06 outlining the future of Hilfield Friary, including plans for the creation of the new "Hilfield Peace and Environment Project".  For more information on the project please visit www.HilfieldPROJECT.co.uk

Click here for details of Hilfield Project Weekends - Autumn 2008.  In addition, details of two other events to be held this September are shown below.

Hilfield Friary and Project Work and Worship Days - Beginning in September - Third Friday and Saturday of the Month 10am-4.30pm.

We are looking for help in around the Friary.  Children’s activities provided, please bring a pack lunch, tea and coffee available, day will end with tea in the Refectory.  Midday Prayer and Eucharist in  Francis Chapel at 12.00, Evening Prayer (for the dedicated) 5.15pm.  Many skills or enthusiasms needed; apple- picking, weeding, pruning, painting, carpentry, decorating, fencing, trail blazing.

If you have time you can offer over any part of these two days please be in touch.

Trees, Woods and Forests  - Saturday 13 September 10.30am – 5pm - Hilfield Friary Car Park.
 A talk, a walk, we will look at the inspiration of trees in art and literature and finish with earth education – a day of exploration and celebration with Michael Stagg.  Bring a pack lunch, and stout shoes. If you can only come for part of the day please do. Suitable for all ages.  Booking necessary. 

Contact - for either of the above email: hilfieldproject@franciscans.org.uk or telephone 01300 341741.

Welcome at the entrance to the Courtyard

The Courtyard

 

One of the many lovely statues

St Francis in a quiet corner of the grounds.

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Press Release

An Exciting Future for Hilfield Friary

The Society of Saint Francis has recently undertaken a searching examination of its structure and aims, from which a renewed focus on peace and the environment has emerged for the ministry.
 

In the Short Term
 The first phase involves moving all the permanent residents into the buildings surrounding the main courtyard, which will also provide space for up to ten short-term guests.  While refurbishment was being undertaken the Friary was unable to accept its usual flow of visitors.  However, this phase is now complete, and the Friary has opened its doors once more.

The Long Term
 Concentrating the permanent residents around the courtyard frees up the remaining buildings, for which ambitious and exciting plans are being developed.  The Friary will seek to share the vision of fraternity by creating on the site the “Hilfield Peace and Environment Project”.  Some of the hopes for the Project are that it may become a place where:

  • people and communities of all descriptions can come together to overcome conflicts and to work for deeper understanding.

  • facilities are  provided for people to explore and learn about a peaceful relationship with the environment and the planet on which we live.

  • Christians may work at issues that divide them.

  • individuals can have an opportunity for prayer, study and reflection.

The Project will be developed on an incremental basis, converting the accommodation over a three year period.  There will eventually be comfortable self-catering accommodation for up to 30 people at any one time, along with appropriate meeting rooms etc.  The facilities of the Friary, such as the chapel, will be available to guests.

Approaches are being made to potential visitors such as inter-faith groups, nature conservation bodies, young peoples’ organisations and others.  The first small group arrived in early May, and more are expected later in the year.

This Project provides a new focus for the Friary – one that is both daunting and demanding, but very much in line with the ethos of the Franciscan Community.

History
 Hilfield Friary was created by three founding members in 1921, at what was then known as Flowers Farm.  From this small beginning as a place of prayer, hospitality and restoration for those who were homeless or rootless after the Great War, it has grown to become the “mother house” of the Society of Saint Francis, the Anglican Franciscan Society, which has spread to many parts of the world.

 

Contact: Brother John SSF.  Tel: 01300 341345 Extn 242.
                Brother Samuel SSF by e-mail at samuelssf@franciscans.org.uk