Windsor Hill Wood is a woodland refuge shelter: wild, beautiful, peaceful - originally inspired by the Pilsdon Community, Dorset. We aim to create an environment where people going through tough, uncertain times can come and reflect on life, having time in the understorey, being held by the canopy, light and depth of the wood. 
 

We're a small community centred on what is a family home. We're essentially an "extended household" with half a dozen extra places laid at the table, and half a dozen extra beds. We offer traditional Christian hospitality to all, regardless of faith, race and so on. We hope to help people rediscover peace, silence and acceptance amidst the beauty and calling of the woods. Some people stay for a few nights, others a few months, and some for up to a year. Most people come to us because of an explicit personal crisis or because they suffer from depression or experience anxiety, whilst others come because they just feel dismayed by modern life and feel the need to reconnect with themselves and others.

Although very small, Windsor Hill Wood is a traditional working woodland. There's felling, planting, coppicing, mulching and clearing. There are ducks, chickens, sheep, pigs, and goats. We try and run the place in a sustainable and quiet way, wanting to revive the old-fashioned methods and tools of the bodger: shave-horses, pole-lathes, chisels, axes and knives. We're not against modernity - we use mechanics and tech as well - but we try to manage the wood in a quiet way. We make all sorts like, walking-sticks, spoons, chairs, stools, bowls and so on. We grow fruit and veg and share our meals together. Many guests find it useful to have a structure to their day so we all follow a daily rhythm. Breakfast before our morning meeting at 9am and then everyone does community chores and tasks until lunch at 1pm. After lunch there is an optional silent time in our chapel by the pond at 2pm. Afternoons are free to explore your own needs and creative outputs - walking in the woods, learning a new skill, resting; any healthy pursuit possible - and everyone cooks, cleans and washes up, but not all the time!

We don't have many rules, but because some of the people here are dealing with addiction issues, the entire site is dry - meaning, of course, no alcohol - and is drug-free. We don't accept any violence, either verbal or physical. We do not accept people who have a history of, or convictions for, sexual abuse, arson or non-drug / alcohol related violence. 

 

We do not offer formal therapies of any kind. The rhythm, the woodland and the community, together with an escape from some of the world’s pressures, provide a treatment of their own. Our wardens are good listeners, though, and will be on hand to signpost other sources of help for guests or ways to move forward to life beyond Windsor Hill Wood if they feel this would help.

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Our community is partly funded by private donations and grants but every guest is expected to make a contribution to the “common purse” to cover the cost of food and bills. The amount may go up from year to year but is currently £102/week for a long term stay and £130/week for stays of less than a month. This is payable in advance and you are asked to confirm that you can afford this when you apply.

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As far as possible we want to make sure that Windsor Hill Wood is right for you and you are right for Windsor Hill Wood. So there is an application process for those who would like to become a guest, this form being the first stage. Having discussed the form with you we would then ask to speak to a couple referees before inviting you to join us as a guest. Alternatively if you want to ask about becoming a guest before making a full application just contact us.