Food
Practical and flexible for your group
Self-catering for flexible schedules and menus to fit your budget.
Our modern kitchens are designed by our own community’s cooks for real people to use. Nothing fancy, just down-to-earth and practical to make it as easy for you as possible. Some of our groups love to include the shared activity of veg prep or washing up as part of their programme. Others bring their own cook or hire in a caterer so that all your food is taken care of while your participants focus on whatever they have come to do.
All the equipment you would expect is here – electric ovens and hobs, fridges and freezers, microwave, hot cupboard and dishwasher. There are plenty of sets of crockery, cutlery, and utensils plus all the cookware you need.
Demelza Henderson
Association for Promoting Retreats
Every care has been taken to make the rooms and ambience comfortable, and whatever the needs of the group, physical, spiritual or dietary, the Community have been happy to try and accommodate them.
Don’t have a caterer of your own? Don’t worry, we have some recommendations for people who have looked after other groups here. Occasionally, Sheldon’s own team has capacity to cater (especially for clergy/ministry groups).
Why self-cater?
✓ Flexible meal times
✓ Suit your budget
✓ Total control
Self-catering
Prepare the food how you want, when you want and where you want. You can arrange supermarket deliveries, bring pre-prepared food with you, enjoy a barbecue on the terrace, cook together or hire in a caterer. Sit down meals, buffets or snacks. Cosy dining rooms or al fresco on the terrace. One pot meals or celebration specials. Kitchens open directly onto dining rooms so cooking, eating and sharing flows seamlessly. If there’s something you forgot we’ll always help out from our own stores if we can.
The Long Barn
Most groups use the Long Barn kitchen.
The Pound House
Larger groups cater in the Pound House
Refreshments
Facilities for hot drinks are separate from the kitchens .