Investigating Koans Retreat
7 night Residential Retreat
7:00pm Saturday 25th April to
10:30am Saturday 2nd May 2026
Leader: Fiona Nuttall
Venue: Shawbottom Farm, UK
Booking: Book now
The ancient Chinese Zen practices of investigating Huatou and Gongan (Koan) are best practised in a supportive environment. As one becomes deeply absorbed in the practice in intensive silent retreat, mental constructions drop away. One is confronted by a realisation that one does not know the nature of existence, and one's fundamental assumptions of life are groundless. Staying with and cultivating this 'doubt', it can become all-consuming 'Great doubt'. Great doubt may 'shatter', with a direct insight into reality which may be what is known as an Enlightenment experience.
To progress in these methods requires a sustained focus. Therefore this retreat is recommended particularly for those with previous experience of intensive retreat. Prior attendance at a Western Zen Retreat is advisable. Serious beginners may also be accepted.
Covid precautions for retreat
Please read our Covid plan which will apply to this retreat (unless we update it in the meantime). It requires some commitments from you, and some actions by you before the retreat. Please read and consider it before making your retreat booking.
Essential Reading
Booking
Fees
- Standard Fee: This meets our costs in providing your retreat place.
- Supported Fee: A number of half-price concessionary places are available on each retreat, supported by our support fund. Select that option when making your booking.
- Understanding fee options
Fees for this event
- Standard Fee: £475
- Login to view availability and fees for Supported Places
Make a Booking
- Before you can book you will need to register and then login and return to this page.
- If you are already registered, click the "Book online" link below. That will take you to login, then redirect you to the booking page to make the booking.
Places available: 4 or more:
Leader: Fiona Nuttall
Fiona Nuttall, Zhijing Fahong, is the first Dharma Heir of Simon Child. Fiona trained with John Crook and Simon Child from the 1990s. She has been leading retreats for WCF since 2007.
Shawbottom Farm
Shawbottom Farm, known as Peak District Retreat, is a 23 acre (9 hectare) farm property. It nestles within a wildlife corridor connecting two nature reserves. It is in the south-west of the Peak District National Park in England, UK.
Shawbottom is between Leek (Staffordshire), and Buxton (Derbyshire). It lies up on the moorlands near the Roaches which are well-known rocky outcrops visited by walkers and climbers.
Shawbottom's buildings are modernised and converted to group accommodation, in particular for retreat accommodation. It is an ideal property for isolated rural meditation retreats.
It is secluded, with access via a private track which does not lead to any other properties. This reduces disturbance and interruptions, creating ideal conditions for learning and practising meditation.
It is not open to casual visitors, only for pre-arranged visits.
Location
Shawbottom is about a mile from the A53 between Leek and Buxton, turning off near the Winking Man public house.
Address
Shawbottom, Upper Hulme, LEEK, ST13 8UQ, England, UK
Directions
Map and travel advice at Peak District Retreat website
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Accommodation
Upstairs there are four large bedrooms. These are used as small dormitories. There are also three bathrooms, giving three toilets and three showers.
The ground floor has a bedroom designated as an accessible bedroom. This can be used as an ordinary bedroom for two people.
There is an accessible wetroom with toilet, washbasin and shower. There are also two more bathrooms on the ground floor, one with toilet and shower, and one with toilet only.
In total there are six bathrooms, with five of them having showers. In addition, each of the four upstairs bedrooms has a wash basin.
Also on the ground floor there is a large kitchen diner. This has capacity for 26 people.
There is more detail and photos on the Peak District Retreat website.
All of the bedrooms offer long views across the surrounding countryside.
The building has been fully renovated and modernised. The insulation exceeds current standards. There is underfloor central heating.
The meditation hall is well-equipped. It has underfloor heating and a range of sitting options.
Meditation equipment
- mats
- kapok and buckwheat filled round cushions
- various styles and sizes of kneeling benches, some of them adjustable
- some kneeling chairs, and some different styles of upright chairs
Hearing loop
At Shawbottom Farm ('Peak District Retreat') the meditation hall has a built-in hearing loop. This improves your hearing of talks and instruction if you are a user of loop-enabled hearing-aids. There is also a portable hearing loop which may be helpful for your one-to-one interviews in other rooms during your retreat.
Electric Vehicle Charging
There is a Zappi v2 EV charger. Subject to availability and operating condition you may use this to top-up your electric vehicle.
The charger has a tethered Type 2 cable. If your car has the older Type 1 connector you will need to bring a Type 2 to Type 1 adaptor.
Charging is at standard daytime tariff rates. Terms and conditions for use of the charger are subject to change without notice.
Wildlife
There is a wildlife blog, and live barn owl nest box cameras.
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The articles on this website have been submitted by various authors. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Western Chan Fellowship.
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