A home away from home
The ASHA Centre offers a beautiful environment in the heart of the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, UK. A Georgian estate with a rose and vegetable garden, orchards, a labyrinth, a meditation lodge, and a large glass auditorium used for training and celebrations. Accommodation is known for its old English charm and is available for up to 34 people.
The main house is a beautifully refurbished Georgian home with a large dining room, modern kitchen, drawing room, office, library and elegant en-suite bedrooms
Smoky, chief rat catcher and ground patrol
The ASHA library houses over 2,000 books on topics ranging from poetry and religion to agriculture and self-development
The Peace Pavilion is a stunning educational and training space with inspiring views of the rose garden and grounds. It is also used for special events like ceremonies and celebrations
Organic produce from our garden
An idyllic natural environment in the Forest of Dean
St Anthony's Well, an ancient sacred spring and holy well, just 5 minutes walk from the Centre
The ASHA Centre has been specifically designed to include spaces of inspiring, natural beauty and quiet contemplation
The Champaben Vadgama Herb Garden celebrates this lady's 100th birthday. We use the large variety of herbs at ASHA for cooking and herbal teas
Our volunteers come from around the world
ASHA's bees are crucial partners in looking after the garden. We leave their honey for them because we are grateful for all the hard pollinating work they do
Composting reduces food waste, reduces greenhouse gases and improves the soil
The ‘Golden Tiger’ Eco Lodge is a beautiful break-out space for meditation, yoga and intimate conversations
The rose garden has over 2000 old English shrub roses. From June to November, ASHA is literally smelling of roses
For children, and in honour of J. R. R. Tolkein, who used to spend his holidays in the Forest of Dean. The Forest is said to have inspired his Middle Earth
Meals are prepared by experienced staff using locally sourced or seasonal organic produce from our garden
Learning to respect and work with each other
ASHA's bedrooms are individually decorated with Chinese embroideries, antique furniture and high-quality mattresses
The vegetable and fruit garden is where ASHA’s apprentices and volunteers learn about sustainable gardening and produce much of the fresh food eaten at the Centre
The drawing room: an elegant space to relax, escape and unwind. The log fire makes it the perfect place for evening storytelling
Meals are tailored to suit dietary requirements. Full catering and refreshments are available for both day courses and residential bookings
The ASHA Centre is a beautiful venue for weddings and celebrations of all faiths
For special celebrations such as anniversaries, birthday parties and festivals the ASHA lawn can accommodate a large marquee
We provide a selection of herbal teas from our garden
The ‘Golden Tiger’ Eco Lodge has reflective windows so you can watch birds and other wildlife without being observed
Gandalf’s Pond is a wonderful place for quiet thoughtfulness and enjoying the changing seasons
A winter wonderland
The Interfaith Peace Grove was planted in 2010 by leading members of many faith communities and spiritual movements to celebrate our harmony with nature and each other
The ASHA labyrinth, inspired by the labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral, is used for walking, meditation and communion with nature. It is enclosed by a circle of indigenous English trees, sacred to and selected for ASHA by the Druids of the Forest of Dean
The Farm, our sister site set amongst rolling hillsides, a mile up the road from the Centre, with its own catering facilities, studio spaces and accommodation for up to 24 people
All of our rooms have ensuite facilities
“It is one of the most special places I have even been to.”
Aaron Callagnan, N. Ireland