NEWS

Graham Usher leading an out door retreat with particapants seeking God in isolated places on mountains, in rivers and gardens and, pictured, the the gardens of Stagshaw House, drawing on Grahams new...

Made by guests at our winter house party last weekend, with instruction and support from Alison Deane,  the proggy mat shows our resident buzzards which fly in the valley beneath the house....

We are planting 300 native trees in the wild west woodlands of the estate ( where no human foot has trod) on Sat 17th November. Come along with your spade to help or sponsor a tree ( or several...

Bishop Justin was at Shepherds Dene this week speaking to business and civic leader about how to make ethical business decisions. His talk was entitled " Polluted or Purposeful: Reflections of...

Over last weekend, the Friends cleared an area of woodland in preparation for tree planting in the Autumn. The Rock Garden has been tidied up and flower beds weeded as well. But the heroes were...

Nine members of Hexham Photgraphy Group took up the challenge to explore Shepherds Dene's house and grounds and the people who work in and retreat to this special place. Their project took twelve...

They've been everywhere: Waterford Hall, Alnwick Castle, Cragside, Bowes Museum, the Laing, Seaton Deleval and Woodhorn. They've even arranged to see a couple of private houses with spectacular...

Over the weekend of 15th - 18th June, there is a rare chance to see the creative responses of two Northumberland artists who have been working in a potting shed.Penny Cuthbert and Jenny Mathers have...

A small hexagonal stone building at the back of the main house has been opened as a Prayer House. Bishop Justin quoted St Seraphim who said that prayer and fasting may be good in themselves but are...

During a wonderful weekend on the spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth, led by Di Williams , author of 'Landscape of the Soul', three new labyrinths were created in bark, buttercups and early...

..you will find a man with a big machine chopping down trees. Thanks to a grant from the Forestry Commission, we are removing about 500 non native trees at the west end of the estate and will be...

The new summerhouse is the height of luxury. Situated at the top of the Quiet Garden and built for us by Paul and Clare Allen, it is the perfect place to take a book or sit quietly. It signifies that...

Penny Cuthbert ( left) and Jenny Mathers (right) have been appointed artists in residence at Shepherds Dene. They will be working in the Potting Shed on work to be exhibited on the Art Tour over the...

Wonderful late summer weather, beautiful countryside, good company and great leadership from Jeremy Chadd all made for a thoroughly enjoyable day. It started with bacon rolls for breakfast and...

It is nearly ten years since the Friends of Shepherds Dene, led by Christopher Lewis, build the labyrinth in the grounds. It is a copy of the classic labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral and popular with...

It is awaited with all the anticipation of a new Beaujolais and is being rushed into churches around the dioceses as we speak. Be the first to grab a copy and sign up for one of the 43 events to be...

Apples from the orchard in the walled garden are already appearing in various forms in the dining room and a bumper crop is anticipated. Our apples tree include some classical varieties of English...

Alison Deane opens the footpath to the March Burn built over the Friends weekend in memory of her husband, Roy. Roy Deane loved woodlands and saw the potential of opening up a path down the steep...

Catherine Pickford attended all our Lent days, except for the last one, by which time she had given birth to her daughter Freya. She writes of waiting patiently at Shepherds Dene."Pineapple,...

Another old master has been brilliantly restored in Annabelle Remnant's studio.  As part of the gift of Shepherd Dene, Geoffrey Newall left us three 19th oil paintings. Robinson's study of...

The Cutting Edge group took over the house for their annual  flower arranging weekend in March. The  weekend was entitled Sculpture to Wear. Over 40 designs using plant material were...

Clergy from East Newcastle Deanery spent a hard working afternoon clearing the woodlands at Shepherds Dene during their annual retreat. The idea was proposed by  Canon Peter Dodd who has been...

The  celebrated choir from University College Durham reopened Shepherds Dene on 4th Feb with a concert of sacred music in the chapel. They stayed for the weekend for their annual retreat and...

We've wired up Shepherds Dene so guests can go online in all the bedrooms and meeting rooms. " It may seem strange for a retreat house" said Director, George Hepburn " but many of...

The first ever visit from members of Winchester Cathedral to their 'twin' cathedral in Newcastle was hosted at Shepherds Dene. Led by the Dean, The Very Revd James Atwell and his wife Lorna, the...

About 30 friends descended on Shepherds Dene over the weekend of 16th - 18th July to clear the area around the new wood carving and to restore the rockery. Both tasks were  accomplished, the...

One of the great treasures of Shepherds Dene has been restored to its former glory. The trustees have commissioned the restoration of the oil painting by W R Robinson that hangs on the main...

It took a 50 ton crane to install the new artwork in the grounds last week. The trustees commissioned Richard Caink to make a carving from the trunk of a cedar tree felled for safety reasons opposite...