Built on the site of the 13th century Hospital of St. John, Burford Priory is now home to a community of Benedictine nuns and monks belonging to the Church of England. By their own common life of prayer, manual work and study, they try to create an atmosphere of stillness and silence in which the Community and its guests are enabled to be open and receptive to the presence of God.

While the daily prayer constitutes the principal work of the Community, the ministry of hospitality, the care of the grounds (which comprises a large organic kitchen garden, formal gardens and woodland), the maintenance of the historic Priory buildings and the income generating crafts provide manual work for members of the Community and those guests who wish to share it.

The Priory seeks to be a place of encounter and reconciliation. The early concern of the Community was to pray for Christian unity; and the Community enjoys links with Baptist, Lutheran, Orthodox and Roman Catholic communities. The ecumenism has broadened to include dialogue with people of other faiths, particularly those with a monastic tradition, and those who are seeking a spiritual way, either within or outside an established religious tradition.

Set in its own garden within the grounds of the Priory is a small monastic guesthouse which welcomes those who wish to share some time in the environment of recollection and silence in which the nuns and monks try to live. Both day and resident guests are welcome. For more information please feel free to write or email us.