A Quaker owned retreat center outside of Philly ... I came for a holistic nurses retreat for a four day session- also slept here for 3 nights. Our conference meeting center was at Brinton house - on one side of the campus. I also stayed overnight in Britton House as well . Some others stayed at Firbank on the other side of the campus near the main house Main house is where the meals are served There is a path that circles around the campus approximately a mile around that is nice to take . You can see key features like the Beech Tree, a tower, organic garden, wetlands etc Lots of lovely flowers , tree species and insects to see - like bees and butterflies. This place is great if you are into biology and studying trees etc . It's a nice retreat place . Quiet , peaceful and delicious organic food There are no TVs which is nice to detox . There is WiFi if you need to connect but I did a social media detox while I was there It is a scent free facility as well - no candles , perfumes , sprays etc Rooms or dorm style or you have a private room. Rooms are rustic and no frills but clean. They provide linens and towels . Pillows were very flat and bed can be at times uncomfortable. Yoga and stretching helped me . Although I liked my shared room with a private bathroom - the wood floor was noisy - made noise with every step. I saw others with carpet floor . But I liked the view from my room and the desk inside was nice. Meals were at set times Breakfast 730-830 Lunch 12-1pm Dinner 6-7pm They had chicken/poultry/ fish option as well As vegetarian and vegan and gluten free options Bug spray is needed for walks especially in summer - hot and humid days . They have an art room with small donations if you use the space There is a library but I didn't go They have an organic Garden and a small grass labyrinth I liked the wetland pond area near Brinton house - so pretty . The path is a wood chipped path for most of the path- some of it is gravel. And the path is slightly confusing in a few areas but you figure it out.it appears larger in the map than what it really is read more

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Short version: it's like a contemplative year-round summer camp for grownups, only the food is really good. Insanely long version: Last month, after wrapping up a few very stressful months on a difficult job, I was at a sort of crossroads in my life. I was looking for somewhere to go where I could clear my head, relax, and spend a few days living simply and reflecting on what was really important to me. Some people might go camping at a time like this, but I don't have a tent or a sleeping bag, and it's cold out, and long periods of solitude don't really agree with me. Also I'm small and clumsy, and could not likely defend myself effectively against a bear. What to do? Somewhere in the back of my mind I remembered hearing about Pendle Hill. It's a Quaker retreat and study center, so I must have heard of it at some point while at my Quaker school. I looked at their website and decided to check it out for a couple of days-- not a huge investment at $75 a night. My two-night stay turned into a six-night stay, which turned into a decision to live at Pendle Hill for a ten-week term as a student. I am head-over-heels in love with this place. You might not have the time or the inclination to spend ten weeks there, but below is a list of reasons why you should come check it out for a day or two. (They also have all sorts of cool weekend workshops on topics related to mindfulness, social justice, racism, peace, etc., which would be an ideal way to become acquainted with Pendle Hill.) -The food. Maybe I shouldn't start with that, but this is Yelp, after all. And it's SO GOOD. There's an organic garden and a whole bunch of chickens on the grounds, and everything is as fresh as can be. They even make the bread from scratch. I was asked when I made my initial reservation whether I had any dietary restrictions, and when I arrived at dinner the chef introduced himself and showed me which items were dairy-, egg-, fish-, and wheat-free. -The people. The people and the food are linked closely in my mind, because mealtimes are a warm, communal affair. You serve yourself and then sit with others at one of a few little tables. Everyone there is incredibly nice to newcomers. I walked in to dinner with that anxious new-kid-in-the-school-cafeteria feeling, and walked out having made four or five cool new friends (ranging in age between about 25 and 75) who made me feel right at home. (I need a lot of human interaction to keep me happy, but it's just as easy to have a more solitary experience there if that's your thing.) -The art studio. It's so cool. It's open 24 hours a day, during some of which it is flooded with sunlight, and you can just go in and play! Or you can take one of their art classes. They've got all the tools and supplies you could imagine for drawing, painting, sketching, calligraphy, sewing, quilting, knitting, book-binding, pottery, and weaving, and I'm sure I've left out a bunch of things. There's also a wood shop that I hear is great, but my dust allergies kept me out of there. -The grounds. The campus is beautiful-- old stone buildings, a lovely path through the woods, the aforementioned organic garden, and all sorts of little quiet places to think-- wooden tucked away behind a stand of trees and the like. -The library and the bookstore (see my review of the latter). Tons of books, on Quakerism of course, but also on Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and other religions; nature and ecology; social justice and activism; history; psychology; and on and on but this review is already way too long. The library is a beautiful place to sit and read or write. -The values. I'm almost hesitant sometimes to use the word "values" because it has been so coopted by the religious right, but I won't cede it to them. Quakers believe in simplicity, peace, and tolerance, among other things. You will find Jews, Catholics, Muslims, and Buddhists there; people of all sexual orientations; people who speak all different languages. Writers, readers, artists, musicians, social workers, activists, students, and people trying to figure out who and what they are, rake leaves and scrub pots together to keep the community running. Upon rereading this, I realize I might have made it-- and me-- sound rather cultish. It's not, and I'm not; I'm just still really excited. Come visit for a weekend to write or read or think or walk or be, and see for yourself. read more

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This is a retreat center and adult education facility run by the Religious Society of Friends, better known as Quakers. It embodies the simple, colonial simplicity of that religious tradition. They run excellent programs throughout the year, of interest to Quakers and non-Quakers alike. The food is excellent. Nearly all of it is made on the premises from materials grown or raised on the premises. If you are used to buying food from the store, any store, then you've probably never had food this good. They will accommodate almost any dietary need as well, personalizing it to you. They have rooms available for short and long-term residency. They are clean and comfortable and do the job well. If you are looking for a place to get away from the hectic insanity of the modern world, you can't do much better than going to Pendel Hill. read more

The best for a relaxing Bed and Breakfast experience in the Philly area. And oh yeah, tell 'em Big Texas sent you! read more

The only reason I give this place a 4 and not a 5 is because of the eating situation, but I will get to that in a minute. This place is great - much better than the retreat location I was at last time. It is in an area that is populated - sort of off a "Development" and near an overpass that goes over the Blue Route. I immediately got good vibes as I was driving in. We are not staying in the main house, and it's a perfect size for our group. My room is wonderful - it has plenty of space air/heat, desk, plenty of lights, sink, dresser, bed and all towels are provided, along with soap and cups for the sink! The floors are carpeted throughout - save the main gathering room which is wood. Bathrooms are a good size too, and the water was warm in the shower. There is certainly plently of space - my only complaints are: 1. I was here in September, and it was FREEZING inside. I wish I had brought warmer clothes. I guess it wasn't time for the heat yet, but I had to get a big blanket for myself. 2. The meals are served community style - which is fine, but that's not the way I really eat - and there are set meal times for 40 minutes. They do use all local, organic foods and cater to dietary needs, so if you have specifications they will work with you. I do wish the hot food could remain hot throughout the meal time. They also compost. I would say the quality of the food is high, but I didn't ever really eat dinner because I wasn't hungry. Good thing was I was able to bring some of my own food which was fine (no room to prep in their kitchen area). 3. I wish there were more areas for us to spread out and do our retreat work. I ended up spending a lot of my time in my room because it was too cold everywhere else. Plus I wanted peace and quiet. Cold water is also always available, along with tea and coffee and ice. There's also plenty of parking. Overall, this is really my kind of retreat facility, and if you are into art, there is a great art studio on site, along with a nice 1 mile long woodchip walking trail. I am excited to come back here in November for our final retreat, and I am glad that I know what to expect. read more

Come for the programs; stay for the food. Just finished my first visit to this Quaker-run retreat center. Lovely, welcoming people, beautiful grounds, stimulating program...and some of the best baked goods I have ever had. In my entire life. When I complimented the chef on breakfast, he printed up the recipe for me. Next time I will bring my own pillow. But on the whole, it was a wonderful weekend. read more

I live not very far from Pendle Hill so am able to visit often for worship, a meal or to meet up with friends. I love to walk the trails around the campus. Then the book store beckons because it has so many interesting books. In addition, I find that almost always I fall into a lively conversation with people whom I might not have otherwise met or known. we are very fortunate to have this welcoming center with many educational offerings as well as the opportunity just to be. Friend Gretchen read more

I stayed here for one night to treat myself to a mini-getaway that is not too far from home. I am a non-Quaker, so I came here mostly for the tranquility and natural beauty, as this place is surrounded by woods that you would think you were in the Poconos. Yet, it is actually very close to Baltimore Pike, where you'll find tons of big-box retailers and chain restaurants, including the Springfield Mall. It is also a very short drive to Media (a vibrant and trendy town full of local shops and restaurants) and Swarthmore (a beautiful college town home to the Swarthmore College), both worth checking out. Plus, it's 13 minutes' walk to the Wallingford train station where you can hop on a train and be in Center City in half an hour. So location wise, it's perfect. I stayed in a single room on the first floor of the "Chase" building, with two nice big windows facing the woods. In terms of amenities, I would compare the room to a hostel. Inside the room, there is a single bed, a desk, a chair, an armchair, a small closet, drawers, and a sink. Outside of the room, there are several shared bathrooms and shower rooms. Not having a private toilet and shower room is probably the biggest downside in my opinion. (I later found out that they do have 5-6 rooms that have private bath/shower rooms, but I'd imagine those get booked very quickly.) Also, I did not see any hairdryer in the room or shared bathrooms. The room has a thermostat to control the heater, but I found it not very effective. I turned the temperature to the coolest, and the room was still way too warm. I ended up turning it off. There is also a wall A/C, but I didn't need to use it. There is no TV in the room, but there is free Wi-Fi. I personally don't watch much TV anyway, and I found that I was really able to relax and focus (I did a ton of reading) when there was no TV to distract me. Also keep in mind that check-in time is 4pm, and check-out time is 10am. The campus itself is open to the public all year round, including the restaurant, library, and art studio. There is a trail along the perimeter of the campus which is approximately one mile, and there is also a little playground for children. In terms of food, I had two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast here. Breakfast is free if you stay here, and lunch and dinner are very reasonably priced ($10 and $13.75 respectively). You'll need to reserve a day in advance if you want to have lunch or dinner. The meals are served in a buffet style. They are largely vegetarian but thoughtfully prepared and very flavorful. You are supposed to share tables with other guests and engage in conversations, which I actually found quite pleasant as everyone I met there was very friendly and came from a diverse background. Breakfast is served 7-8am, lunch is noon-1pm, and dinner is 6-7pm. To conclude, this is not your typical bed-and-breakfast, and it is intentionally kept simple and modest. While it lacks some of the modern amenities, it really helps you relax and clear your mind so you can focus on what's important, and perhaps even realize this is how life should be! read more

This is a center for group or personal retreats, conferences, and a wide variety of workshops and short courses, as well as b-and-b style stays. Its mission and welcoming atmosphere are shaped by the Religious Society of Friends, often called Quakers. Quaker values of peace, simplicity and the value of "that of God" within every person are embodied here. The food is fabulous, with many treats for vegans and vegetarians, and much of the produce grown on the grounds. The 24 acre physical setting is very conducive to reflection and learning, with ancient trees and a perimeter walking trail. read more