Quiet Days and Day Groups at the Friary
Individual Day Guests
Alnmouth Friary warmly welcomes individual guests who are seeking a quiet day of reflection. Day guests are welcome to arrive from 10:00am onwards. On arrival, we can provide a key for the front door, allowing you the freedom to come and go as you please throughout the day.
Many day guests choose to spend time in the library, which offers a peaceful environment for reading, prayer, or personal reflection. Midday Prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist take place at 12:00 noon, and guests are warmly invited to join the community for these times of worship.
Day guests are encouraged either to bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the library or to take a short walk into Alnmouth village, where there are places to purchase food.
The surrounding area also offers beautiful opportunities for walks, with many guests enjoying time along the nearby beach.
If you are still at the Friary at 4:30pm, you are welcome to join the community for tea in the guest lounge, followed by Evening Prayer at 5:00pm.
I spent my day exploring a “quiet day” at Alnmouth friary today. It was a great experience, fuelling up my introvert reserves. I know some people would find this hard, especially the external processors but I loved it and plan to return. I loved the view from their library overlooking the beach.
Feedback from day guest
A joy to spend a quiet day with the community at Alnmouth Friary and to enjoy the incredible sea views from the two Chapels and library
Day Guest
Day Groups based in the library
The library is a wonderful space for larger groups
The library comfortably seats up to 18 people and offers a calm, welcoming space for groups to gather, reflect, or simply enjoy time together. Guests frequently remark on the beautiful view from the library, often describing it as a particularly special and memorable place to spend time.
We can provide an urn in the library, along with cups, tea, coffee, and milk, so refreshments are available throughout your visit. Day groups are asked to bring their own packed lunches, which can be enjoyed in the library or in other suitable spaces.
Groups are welcome to arrive from 10:00am. As parking at the Friary is limited, we kindly ask that, where possible, your group travels by car-sharing. We are usually able to accommodate all vehicles on site; however, if additional space is needed, further parking is available in Alnmouth village nearby.
On arrival, we can place the front door on the latch so that your group is free to come and go as you wish during the day. You are also warmly invited to join the community in the chapel for Midday Prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist, which take place at 12:00 noon. It would be helpful if you could let us know in advance whether your group intends to attend.
Many day groups take the opportunity to walk down to the beach during their visit. We strongly encourage this, as the shoreline provides a peaceful and restorative environment that complements a day at the Friary.
If you are still with us at 4:30pm, you are very welcome to join the community for tea in the guest lounge, followed by Evening Prayer at 5:00pm.
The Hermitage
Tucked away within the peaceful grounds of Alnmouth Friary, the hermitage offers a simple yet profound space for stillness. Visiting on a quiet day allows the gentle rhythm of the countryside and the nearby sea air to slow the mind and open the heart. Free from distractions, the hermitage becomes a place where silence speaks, making it easier to reflect, read Scripture, or pray. The humble setting encourages a deeper awareness of God’s presence, reminding visitors that prayer does not require grandeur—only a willing heart and a moment set apart. In the calm of an uncrowded day, the hermitage becomes a small sanctuary where peace, clarity, and spiritual renewal can quietly take root.
Accessability
Please note that the hermitage is reached by a flight of steps and is therefore not accessible for wheelchair users or those who may find steps difficult.
Inside the hermitage there is a kettle and a small mini-fridge available for visitors to use, helping to make a quiet day comfortable and welcoming. Those coming to spend time in prayer or reflection are warmly invited to bring a packed lunch and enjoy the calm setting at their own gentle pace.
The Hermitage offers a wonderful location for prayer and contemplation.
Br Micael-Christoffer.
