BURSARIES

Bursaries from The Orchard Sangha Bursary Funds can be obtained to cover part of the course fees for any retreat either with Sonia or Ad at The Orchard.

Enquiries, contact Gini at gini_wade@lineone.net

WHAT TO BRING

• a watch or clock for time keeping
• clothing:
  - loose, easy fitting clothing for exercises, like track suit, martial art outfit, or the like
  - waterproofs, wellies or walking boots for outdoor activities
• your meditation stool or cushion if you have one
• pens and paper for making notes
• drawing materials = open sandals or flip-flops for pacing outside
• torch No shoes are allowed in the house, so you may want to bring slippers or thick socks.
• bedding: blankets and duvets are available; you would need to bring your own single sheets and/or single duvet-cover or a sleeping bag, and pillow case
• usual toiletries, including towel

How to get to The Orchard

By road:
From either Abergavenny or Hereford take the A465.

At Pontrilas which is about halfway between the two towns, take the B4347, sign posted Ewyas Harold, Abbey Dore, etc. Then take the first on your left towards the centre of Ewyas Harold village, sign posted Longtown and Dulas. After about 3 miles turn right at signpost for Lower-Maescoed.
Proceed for another half mile and turn right at the phone box.
The Orchard is on your right after about 100 metres.

 

 

 

 

From Hay-on-Wye take the B4348 to Peterchurch.
A few miles after Peterchurch take the B4347 to Abbey Dore and Pontrilas which takes you to Ewyas Harold from where you follow direction Longtown and Dulas as described above.

By Public transport:
The nearest railway stations are Hereford & Abergavenny. Coming from the north, aim for Hereford; coming from London or the south, aim for Abergavenny.
There are local bus services (except on Sundays) from either town to Pontrilas from where you can be picked up by us.
Buses from Hereford to Pontrilas: depart every two hours from 08.30 to 14.30 and then at 16.10, 17.20 and last bus at 18.05 (Bus X3/4, destination Cardiff).
Buses from Abergavenny to Pontrilas: depart every two hours from 07.20, then from 09.30, to the last one at 17.20 (Bus X3/4, destination Hereford).
In both cases the bus journey takes about 30 minutes.

National Express Coaches from London Victoria to Hereford, or to Newport/Gwent and from there by train to Abergavenny.

If you don't have a car we strongly recommend that you get in touch with someone else on the course who travels by car and is able to give you a lift.

You can also get a taxi from Hereford or Abergavenny. There are taxis at the stations but it may save you time and money to prearrange a taxi:

phone Abbey Cars on 01981 570 301;
from Abergavenny you can also try Premier Taxis on 07958 908 743.
All above companies know the Orchard.

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Travel Arrangements for Travellers from Abroad

The nearest airports are Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff; you could also fly to London but that means a longer and more expensive journey by train once in England:

from London-Heathrow:
take the coach (Rail-Air Link) to Reading and from there the train to Newport (direction Swansea/Cardiff), change at Newport for Abergavenny,or
take the National Express coach from Heathrow to Newport, and then the train to Abergavenny
Travelling time around 3 hours.

National Express Coaches London HR to Hereford (service number NX413), but not always direct (direct takes ca.4 hours, via Gloucester takes 5 and via London Victoria takes 6 hours). In comparison by train from London HR to Abergavenny takes about 3 hours.

from other London Airports:
take a train to London, then by underground to London-Paddington station
take the Intercity train from London-Paddington to Newport/Gwent (destination Swansea/Cardiff). Change at Newport for Abergavenny.
or, take National Express coach from London-Victoria to Newport, and then the train to Abergavenny.
Travelling time 3 to 4 hours.

By EuroStar : arrival in London-Waterloo
take the metro/tube to London-Paddington
from London-Paddington, take the train to Newport (Gwent)/Destination Swansea/Cardiff. Or the National Express coach (see above)
change in Newport for the train to Abergavenny

from Birmingham:
take the train from Birmingham airport/International to Birmingham - New Street, from there take the train to Hereford.
Travelling time 2 to 2 hours 30 mins.
National Express Coaches now also has a limited coach service from Birmingham direct to Pontrilas: Coach service number: NX321

from Bristol:
take the bus (or taxi) to Bristol Temple Mead station
from Bristol Temple Mead, take the train to Newport. Change at Newport for Abergavenny
Travelling time about 2 hours

from Cardiff:
take the bus (or taxi) to Cardiff station
take the train from Cardiff to Abergavenny
Travelling time about 2 hours

 

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Try to arrange your train tickets, etc. before travelling as that will be cheaper.
Always take a return ticket as they are valid for one month.
In general taking the National Express Coaches will be cheaper than the train.

websites to arrange your tickets:
by train: www.nationalrail.co.uk
by coach: www.nationalexpress.com

Let us know your time of arrival in Hereford or in Abergavenny and we will then try to pick you up. Otherwise take the bus to Pontrilas where we can pick you up.
In case we are not available, you might need to take a taxi to The Orchard, see taxi details above.