Resources

That all may have life . . .

Enjoy our gardens

At Noddfa we have not just one garden, but many different gardens joined harmoniously into an oasis of peace in the middle of a bustling world. Near the house are the more formal gardens with flower beds, lawns and tree-shaded paths. Behind the buildings are shrub gardens that blend naturally into the woodland that spreads away towards the mountain. On the edge of the woodland there are vegetable gardens, that supply some of the food for the house,and an orchard. You can play Croquet on the lawn, sit and gaze at the fountain, wander the paths that meander through the woods, or just relax on an easy chair. Splashes of colour abound around the grounds at the moment.

Labyrinth

We invite you to come and walk one of our 2 labyrinths. In walking the labyrinth, you simply follow the path to the centre. There are no choices to make and you do not get lost. At the centre, you can stop and reflect and then you turn around and retrace your steps. The return is as important as going in and what you experience at the centre. As well as our grass labyrinth, we have another labyrinth, originally designed and made for us by the Prince's Trust, with beautifully scented lavender bushes. This has recently been renewed with golden coloured stones, which make for easier upkeep and are very attractive. You are welcome to come and enjoy a reflective walk.

Cosmic Walk

The cosmic walk is a symbolic re-enactment that helps us enter personally into the mystery of the unfolding story of the universe, our sacred story. 

CREATING A COSMIC WALK by Barbara Bailey RSHM
There are many roads and pathways in and around Noddfa our RSHM spirituality centre in North Wales, including deserted mountain tracks and labyrinths.  A short time ago I was asked did I know anyone who might be interested in creating yet a new path in the grounds, a Cosmic Walk.  I invited a friend to join me in this venture into unknown territory.

So we stepped forth, pacing the pathways, exploring the rocks and possible settings.  We decided to use stones or boulders, ancient custodians of the cosmic story, as time markers on the path.  It was very clear to us that we would not be able to make the length of the walk proportionate to the number of years between the stages.  Gaps of several billion years would be simply longer to walk than millions or thousands.  Each boulder (25 in all) would have a date painted on it and we prepared a short written commentary to accompany the walker.  We kept reminding ourselves that the purpose of the cosmic walk is to enter into the universe’s story, OUR story not just with our minds, but with our bodies allowing the sheer wonder of its unfolding to touch our souls and imaginations so drawing us into a deeper commitment to care for our planet.

It was this that inspired us as we explored the way, finding that mini-landscapes and sculpture-like boulders seemed to offer themselves to express each stage.  The earliest part of the path is more expansive, the open sea, then we move through the rock faces of the upper path, down again into denser vegetation and ‘forest’.  With the emergence of human beings, we pass by a loose stone arch, into the more cultivated part of the garden.

We had our favourites! The first stone marking 15 billion years ago has words “in the beginning” and is placed in the magnificent fanning out of branches from a felled tree showing circles of growth that speak of passing years.  Walking on we reach a large ancient slab of volcanic rock by the gateway with the expanse of the cosmos 14 billion years ago.  Further on I imagine the stone beneath the large trees marking the age of the dinosaurs as a giant foot.  A strong upright stone among the tree trunks depicting the emergence of hominids 6 million years ago is one of our favourites too.  Finally a sphere of blue on the stone positioned deliberately at a distance draws me into that awe inspiring first step and shift in consciousness when human beings first saw earth from the moon in 1969.

I have walked this path many times now.  Each time fresh insights remind me of the many untrodden paths of mystery and meaning within the story of this 15 billion year journey of our universe yet to be unfolded.

Art Room

There is an art room in the grounds where people can paint, draw and be artistic

Circle Dance

Enjoy a time of relaxation and reflection with Sacred Circle Dance Tuesdays - 2.00 pm.
COME AND JOIN US!

Circle dance is relaxing and enjoyable, as well as meditative. The steps are simple, no partner required, since the dances are done in a circle.
The music used comes from many different parts of the world and the combination of music and movement can make the experience a therapeutic one.

Home Cooking

Vegan and vegetarian meals available on request.

Taste our home-made bread!