This is the School's fifth retreat programme, held in the house and beautiful grounds of Waterperry, near Oxford. Each retreat combines wisdom, rest and enjoyment, in the uplifting company of like-minded people. The programme runs from November 2026 to June 2027 and comprises seven dated retreats:
Marsilio Ficino: Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November 2026.
Sanskrit: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2026.
Sacred Geometry: Monday 7 to Thursday 10 December 2026.
Economics: Monday 1 to Thursday 4 February 2027.
Bhagavad Gita: Monday 8 to Thursday 11 March 2027.
The Treasures of Waterperry: Monday 17 to Thursday 20 May 2027.
Plato: Monday 14 to Thursday 17 June 2027.
The midweek events run from Monday at 9.00pm to Thursday at 9.00am, giving two full days. Mornings begin at 6.30am with meditation and quiet time, followed by study and group discussion. Meals are vegetarian. Single and twin rooms are available, and most twin rooms are en suite. All are welcome, whether or not attending one of the School's courses.
The cost for the midweek events is £260, reduced to £240 if you book more than two weeks beforehand. The Sanskrit weekend is £180, reduced to £160 on the same basis.
Each retreat is booked from its own page. See the programme below, or email retreats@fses.org. The satnav postcode for Waterperry is OX33 1LA.
Choose a retreat
Each retreat can be attended on its own. Book your place for the option that suits you.
- Waterperry Retreat Programme 2026/27 / Programmes / Marsilio Ficino: 02 - 05 November 2026Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November 2026Starts Monday, 2 November 2026, evening · Ends Thursday, 5 November 2026, morningWisdom as 'the contemplation of God': a retreat on Marsilio Ficino, in the house and beautiful grounds of Waterperry, Oxfordshire.Book your place
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Marsilio Ficino, considered by many to have been the 'Father of the Renaissance', called wisdom 'the contemplation of God'. Wisdom will be the focus of the Ficino Retreat this year, in the house and beautiful grounds of Waterperry: study in the mornings, afternoons to enjoy the setting, and evenings of presentations and entertainment.
The retreat runs from Monday evening to Thursday morning, with mornings beginning at 6.30am for meditation and quiet time, followed by study and group discussion. The cost is £260 per person, reduced to £240 if you book more than two weeks beforehand. Book your place online below, or email retreats@fses.org with any questions.
- Waterperry Retreat Programme 2026/27 / Programmes / Sanskrit: 20 - 22 November 2026Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November 2026Starts Friday, 20 November 2026, evening · Ends Sunday, 22 November 2026, afternoonA weekend introduction to Sanskrit with Warwick and Elena Jessup: chanting, calligraphy, study and contemplation. No prior experience needed.Book your place
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A weekend with retreat leaders Warwick and Elena Jessup, offered as an introduction to Sanskrit, with study of one of the tradition's most sacred mantras. Expect chanting and calligraphy, profound study and contemplation, mythology, good food and great company. Those with no prior experience of Sanskrit are very welcome.
This weekend retreat runs from Friday to Sunday. The cost is £180 per person, reduced to £160 if you book more than two weeks beforehand. Book your place online below, or email retreats@fses.org with any questions.
- Waterperry Retreat Programme 2026/27 / Programmes / Sacred Geometry: 07- 10 December 2026Monday 7 to Thursday 10 December 2026Starts Monday, 7 December 2026, evening · Ends Thursday, 10 December 2026, morningDrawing geometric patterns with compass and straightedge to reveal the interconnectedness of life and spirit. Beginners are welcome.Book your place
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Our approach to the study of Sacred Geometry seeks to reveal the interconnectedness of life and spirit. We will undertake the practical drawing of a variety of geometric patterns with compass and straightedge, and perhaps discover something unexpected. Materials and equipment will be provided. Beginners are welcome.
The retreat runs from Monday evening to Thursday morning, with mornings beginning at 6.30am for meditation and quiet time, followed by study and group discussion. The cost is £260 per person, reduced to £240 if you book more than two weeks beforehand. Book your place online below, or email retreats@fses.org with any questions.
- Waterperry Retreat Programme 2026/27 / Programmes / Economics with Justice: 01 - 04 February 2027Monday 1 to Thursday 4 February 2027Starts Monday, 1 February 2027, evening · Ends Thursday, 4 February 2027, morningExploring natural law and the just society through Dr Joseph Milne's new book. The retreat leader is Ian Mason.Book your place
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Join with Dr Joseph Milne to explore and discuss key ideas from his new book, Natural Law and the Just Society. What is Natural Law? How does it relate to Justice, and how can it help to shape a more just economics and society for the future? The retreat leader is Ian Mason.
The retreat runs from Monday evening to Thursday morning, with mornings beginning at 6.30am for meditation and quiet time, followed by study and group discussion. The cost is £260 per person, reduced to £240 if you book more than two weeks beforehand. Book your place online below, or email retreats@fses.org with any questions.
- Waterperry Retreat Programme 2026/27 / Programmes / Bhagavad Gita: 08 - 11 March 2027Monday 8 to Thursday 11 March 2027Starts Monday, 8 March 2027, evening · Ends Thursday, 11 March 2027, morningOne way, three ways or many? Exploring the paths described in the Bhagavad Gita. The retreat leader is Stephen Silver.Book your place
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It is said that there is only one top of the mountain, and it does not matter what path you take to get there. In the Bhagavad Gita, three, possibly four, traditional 'ways' are described. On this retreat we will explore how these different views are supported and ultimately reconciled. The retreat leader is Stephen Silver.
The retreat runs from Monday evening to Thursday morning, with mornings beginning at 6.30am for meditation and quiet time, followed by study and group discussion. The cost is £260 per person, reduced to £240 if you book more than two weeks beforehand. Book your place online below, or email retreats@fses.org with any questions.
- Waterperry Retreat Programme 2026/27 / Programmes / The Treasures of Waterperry: 17-20 May 2027Monday 17 to Thursday 20 May 2027Starts Monday, 17 May 2027, evening · Ends Thursday, 20 May 2027, morningA journey through the hidden riches of Waterperry - its gardens, manor house and art. Back by popular demand.Book your place
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Back by popular demand, this retreat offers a journey through the hidden riches of Waterperry - its tranquil gardens, the ancient manor house and the art everywhere - inviting participants to slow down and engage deeply with the beauty and meaning embedded in the place.
The retreat runs from Monday evening to Thursday morning, with mornings beginning at 6.30am for meditation and quiet time, followed by study and group discussion. The cost is £260 per person, reduced to £240 if you book more than two weeks beforehand. Book your place online below, or email retreats@fses.org with any questions.
- Waterperry Retreat Programme 2026/27 / Programmes / Plato: 14 -17 June 2027Monday 14 to Thursday 17 June 2027Starts Monday, 14 June 2027, evening · Ends Thursday, 17 June 2027, morningFollowing Plato's 'Meno': can excellence be taught, and what is excellence? Led by Margot Camp and John Meltzer.Book your place
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Plato's dialogue 'Meno' opens with a challenging question: can excellence be taught? We will follow the persons of the dialogue pursuing the very same question, until finally they arrive at another, more urgent question: what is excellence? The retreat will be led by Margot Camp and John Meltzer.
The retreat runs from Monday evening to Thursday morning, with mornings beginning at 6.30am for meditation and quiet time, followed by study and group discussion. The cost is £260 per person, reduced to £240 if you book more than two weeks beforehand. Book your place online below, or email retreats@fses.org with any questions.
Retreat leaders
- Nicholas de MattosRetreat leader, Marsilio Ficino
Nicholas has taught Latin and Greek for 41 years and has found reading, translating and presenting Ficino to be a continual inspiration in his own wider esoteric search.
- Barbara RyanRetreat leader, Sacred Geometry
Barbara has been completely inspired by the study of Sacred Geometry. She has taught both children and adults for many years, online and in person.
- Carolyn SaundersRetreat leader, The Treasures of Waterperry
Carolyn lived at Waterperry for many years and was closely involved in many of the artistic developments which have taken place. She will share her knowledge, love and enthusiasm for Waterperry.
What’s included
- Accommodation in a single or twin room, most twin rooms en suite
- Vegetarian meals throughout the retreat
- Daily meditation, study and group discussion, with mornings beginning at 6.30am
- Open to all, whether or not attending one of the School's courses
Optional activities
Activities vary by retreat. Some or all of the following may be offered:
- Calligraphy to quieten and focus the mind
- Sacred geometry
- Mindfulness practice sessions
- Bread making
- Drawing on the right side of the brain
- Singing
- Contributing to the care of the house in a spirit of service
The retreat takes place at Waterperry House, Oxfordshire.
About Waterperry House