ABOUT THE CHICKEN HOUSE
An Island retreat at Carters Stables
Set in the beautiful Isle of Wight, Carters Smallholding is an experiment in subsistence living. It is a community of family and friends who are concerned about the environmental crisis, passionate about food justice, and practicing abundant and joyful living.
The community at Carters produce the bulk of their food and are relearning the art of dairying, butchery and charcuterie. They seek to promote a greater understanding of the real cost of food and food production and the importance of our connection to the earth.
The founding vision of Miles Clarke to make Carters a place of welcome and hospitality is continued today by his widow Judy, his daughter Ali and all the extended family and friends as they invite you to experience their community-focused and rooted lifestyle by coming here for a retreat.
The retreat space, which is called the Chicken House, is in the corner of Carters stable block. It can accommodate up to four people as a group or separate bookings for up to four nights
(minimum two; bookings beginning Tuesday – Saturday.)
It has one double room and two singles with a shared bathroom and a stairlift to help accessibility.
This is not a hotel. The accommodation is homely and simple. 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 grown and wholesome.
You are welcome to explore the grounds and meet the animals and there are tucked away places around the farm where you can paint, write, read or rest.
During your stay you will be encouraged to turn off your phones (there is no wifi) and invited to experience times of silence. But it will not always be quiet. This is a family home and a working farm, and you will hear children, dogs and chatter; you may even be woken by cockerels.
A retreat allows you to slow down and step back from your regular busy lifestyle. It gives you space to reflect and recharge and discover healing and inner peace. We hope you will find enrichment and nourishment of every kind at The Chicken House and that you will return home with a renewed sense of direction and purpose for your life and hope for the world.
Come and see; come and be.
A gallery of the community life
This smallholding is active and you are welcome to join in as not all retreats need to be still!