The Trustees of Shepherds Law Hermitage, Northumberland, invite you to explore
About Shepherds Law
Shepherds Law Hermitage was founded by Brother Harold Palmer in 1970, with the intention of founding a men’s contemplative community. Among those who over the years came to him, none has stayed. Brother Harold gradually became unable to live at the Hermitage, and he died on St Francis Day 2024. A new ecumenical group of Trustees has been established, made up at present of Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians, five of whom belong to Religious Communities.
The aim is that the Hermitage should continue its witness to monastic life, and the goal of Christian unity.
The long-term goal is the original aim: that the Hermitage should become the home of a small resident monastic community.
Until that becomes possible, the intermediate goal is for it to continue to be a place of prayer and witness.
As far as can be managed, individuals or groups from religious communities will come for short periods of residence when they will live the life and offer the daily worship together, welcoming any visitors who wish to come to share in this experience.
Individuals can come either for a day, a few days, or in some cases a longer stay. We hope such visits will be accompanied by visiting members of religious communities, clergy, or lay chaplains. Normally these would be self-catering visits.
We plan to be offering a variety of activities for groups of all ages, combining a taste of what monastic life and worship hold out to us with enjoyment of the site and its wonderful surroundings.
The work on the buildings is nearing completion, and we hope to open fully for business in late 2025.
