Simple and homely retreat house
The Chicken House is situated at the heart of Carters Smallholding and is not a hotel. The accommodation is homely and simple and you will have your own comfortable room while the rest of the house is shared with other retreatants and the community at Carters.
You are welcome to come on your own or with friends. Please contact us to check availability and cost before you book and pay the deposit on line.
There is an art room where you can be creative, a quiet room where you can be still, and shelves full of books for you to browse and borrow.
Ali, your hostess, will provide your meals and the food will be home grow, wholesome and healthy.
The smallholding
Set in the beautiful Isle of Wight, Carters Smallholding is a working example of contemporary subsistence living. It is a community of family and friends who are concerned about the environmental crisis, passionate about food justice, and committed to making a difference in the world.
A subsistence lifestyle is the majority way of living for the population of the world and seeks to provide for the needs of human existence without recourse to the economy. The food we produce is not for sale and we limit our expenditure while growing our abundance. We share this oasis for your pleasure and ours and in order to promote a greater understanding of the real cost of food and food production and the understanding of our connection to the earth. We are also love to share what we are learning and offer experiences and skill sharing and if you are looking to be more self sufficient in your own lifestyle do contact us about an extended stay where you can get your hands dirty ( or clean if you are milking!)
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Experiencing Silence
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Our lives can be busy and noisy. Silence helps us to slow down and become more reflective and peaceful.
The Great Silence is a period of total silence, often kept in religious communities and retreat houses, which goes back to the early days of monasticism in the 3rd Century.
In the Chicken House, you are invited to join our community’s pattern of keeping silence after the evening meal until 10am the next morning. In the event of an emergency, the silence can of course be broken.
Come to the Chicken House to getaway from the TV, your mobile phone and your emails. Come and listen to the birdsong.
If on your retreat you would value more time in quiet, please let us know when you book.
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contact us about discounts for the ferries we may be able to help
OUR LOCATION
Carters Stables, Upton Cross, Ryde, IOW, PO33 4BP
The post code will get you to Carters Road but may not find Carters Stables.
There is a mini round about at the top of the road and we are the second set of buildings on the left hand side aprox 200mtrs down from this roundabout.
The number 37 bus from Ryde stops very near the mini roundabout (ask for Upton Cross)
