Make an offering
£100,740 raised so far
£12,260 left to raise
£100,740 raised so far
£12,260 left to raise
£100,740 raised so far
£12,260 left to raise

What began as a vision to create more opportunities for individual retreat at Land of Joy is now becoming a reality! With our three existing huts frequently booked months in advance, these two beautiful new spaces, nestled in a peaceful birch glade at the edge of our woodland, will allow us to offer these special spaces to more practitioners.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our volunteers, we’re now nearing the end of a journey that has involved years of planning, preparation and hard work. With the first three stages now complete, we’re turning our attention to the finishing touches before we welcome the first retreatants to enjoy these new spaces.

We’d love to share what we’ve achieved together and invite you to help us bring the project to completion.

Before construction
After construction

“Seeing these two retreat huts become a reality after years of planning and hard work is incredibly special. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has helped bring us to this point, from those who have worked so tirelessly to physically build the huts to the many others whose dedication and efforts behind the scenes have been just as important.

My heartfelt thanks also go to our wonderful community for your generosity, encouragement, prayers and belief in what we’ve been trying to achieve. This has truly been a collective effort, and it’s wonderful to see what we can accomplish together.”

Beth Halford, Centre Director of Land of Joy

The Four Stages

The Journey So Far

It’s wonderful to have completed the first three stages of our project, with the fourth and final stage now underway! There’s still work to be done before the huts can welcome their first retreatants, but we’ve come such a long way.

Here’s a look back at how the project has unfolded and the incredible progress we’ve made together.

“Being back with Fichou & Tulku-la was like coming home for me. Land of Joy was and is always close to my heart and I was so happy that I could be here and starting to build these huts was like let’s see how it goes…it was really spooky how smoothly it went, almost no obstacles…It’s just amazing. I’m really happy for all the people who can come and do retreat in this place. This place is amazing, it really couldn’t be better.”

Daniel Kloth, Retreat Hut Builder & previous Centre Manager

July – The Groundworks were completed

On 13th July, work began on the extensive groundworks needed to connect the new retreat huts to essential services. Trenches were dug from the main house, across the field and into the woodland, creating the routes for water, electricity and sewage connections.

After months of planning and preparation, it was exciting to see the physical work finally begin. The speed with which the trenches were created was remarkable, and it was wonderful to witness the first visible steps towards making the new huts a reality.

August & September – The bases were built

At the end of August and beginning of September, work began on constructing the bases for the two new huts. Despite some delays caused by wet weather, the team pressed ahead with determination. Timber and other materials were delivered and transported across the site, ready for the skilled work of constructing the bases.

Gradually, the two sturdy platforms took shape, providing the foundations on which the new retreat huts would stand. It was another significant milestone in the project and a wonderful example of the practical generosity that has made so much of Land of Joy possible.

September & October – The external structures were constructed

In the middle of September, the timber structures arrived at Land of Joy. Coordinating such a substantial delivery required considerable organisation, and transporting the materials to the building site was no small undertaking. With the assistance of a local farmer and our dedicated volunteers, the components were moved into position, ready for assembly.

Over the following weeks, the huts began to take shape. Through the unwavering enthusiasm, skill and commitment of our volunteers, what had previously existed only in plans and drawings became two beautiful new retreat spaces nestled amongst the birch trees.

Both external structures are now complete, with local tradespeople undertaking the internal plumbing and electrical installations. Seeing the huts standing in their woodland setting has been a particularly special moment for everyone involved in the project.

The Final Steps — Preparing the Huts for Retreat

With the main construction work now complete, our attention is turning towards making the huts ready to welcome their first retreatants.

There are still a number of important finishing touches to complete, including:

  • Completing the internal plumbing and electrical installations.
  • Laying flooring and finishing the interior spaces.
  • Installing essential fixtures and fittings.
  • Purchasing and assembling beds, storage and other furniture.
  • Hanging curtains and adding other soft furnishings that will make each hut comfortable and welcoming.
  • Equipping the kitchenette and bathroom with everything retreatants will require.

These final stages may be less dramatic than seeing the structures rise from the ground, but they are just as important. Every detail contributes to creating an environment in which practitioners can settle comfortably into retreat, free from unnecessary distractions.

We are very much looking forward to the day when the first retreatants can enter these new spaces and begin their practice.

I am so lucky to have stayed in a private hut for one week, seeing (actually hearing occasionally) the building of new huts… feeling grateful and deeply touched by the Bodhisattvas working hard for the growth of me and all others….. 🙏 ✨️

Retreat Hut User

The Cost of The Project

Building two new retreat huts has involved significant costs beyond the structures themselves, including planning, groundworks, essential services, foundations and furnishings.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we had already secured £60,000 before launching our public fundraising campaign, with an initial target of £45,000.

However, additional groundworks and rising material costs have taken the project beyond its original budget, leading us to increase our fundraising target to £53,000.

With £100,740 raised so far, we have just £12,260 left to raise to cover the remaining costs and bring the project to completion.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to sponsor one of the new retreat huts at Land of Joy….I’d like to think that this retreat hut will bring many benefits to whoever meditates there and that some people will develop realisations to transform their own minds – I would feel very gratified to know I’ve been able to contribute towards that. 

Andy Wistreich, retreat hut sponsor

How You Can Help

The generosity we have received throughout this project has been truly inspiring. From those who have made financial offerings, to the volunteers who have given their time, energy and skills, every contribution has helped bring us to this point.

With the main construction work nearly complete, we are now turning our attention to furnishing and equipping the huts. Each requires over 100 individual items, from beds and meditation cushions to kitchen equipment and everyday essentials, to create a comfortable and supportive environment for retreat.

What Could Your Donation Provide?

  • £10 – A pillow
  • £20 – A kettle
  • £30 – A meditation cushion
  • £50 – A chest of drawers
  • £75 – A bed frame
  • £90 – A shower
  • £100 – A fridge
  • £150 – A mattress
  • £250 – Carpet for a hut

These are just some examples of the practical items needed to complete the huts. Every offering, large or small, will help us furnish these new spaces and meet the additional costs that have taken the project beyond its original budget.

This project is a wonderful example of generosity in action. So many people have contributed in different ways, through practical work, planning, donations and offering their support.

Every contribution has been valuable, and together they have made these huts possible. I would like to thank everyone involved and rejoice in the merit you have created. Through your generosity, you are helping others to practice Dharma, while also creating positive causes and conditions for your own future practice.

Phara Khenchen Rinpoche

Help Us Finish This Journey Together

Thanks to the generosity, encouragement and dedication of so many people, what began as an aspiration has become a reality. We are now wonderfully close to completing these two new retreat huts and opening their doors to the first retreatants.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped us come this far. If you would like to help us take these final steps, we warmly invite you to make an offering using the form below. Together, we can bring this project to completion and celebrate another wonderful milestone in Land of Joy’s journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can donate via the following methods:

  1. Via the donation form (run by GiveWP) on our website, which accepts all major debit and credit cards 
  2. Bank transfers directly to our charity account. Please choose the ‘Bank Transfer’ option on the donation form which will share the bank account details for you to use to set up the payment with your bank or email donations@landofjoy.co.uk and we will email them to you. 
  3. Postal cheques made payable to ‘Land of Joy’ and sent to Land of Joy, Greenhaugh, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 1PP

All donations to the Building Retreat Huts Together campaign will go directly towards the building of the new retreat huts at Land of Joy in 2026. Any remaining funds will be used for future retreat hut maintenance work.



Absolutely. We welcome international donations. You can give online through our website using a debit or credit card, or transfer funds or through a direct bank transfer. Please note that Gift Aid is only available to UK taxpayers, and tax relief arrangements will depend on the rules in your own country.



Yes. Land of Joy is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity Number 1138826). As a registered charity, we are regulated by the Charity Commission and are required to use all funds in accordance with our charitable objectives. Our annual accounts and trustees’ reports are publicly available on the Charity Commission website.



Land of Joy is governed by a board of trustees who have a legal duty to ensure that all charitable funds are managed responsibly. Our Centre Director and Treasurer maintain transparent financial records, produce monthly and quarterly reports reviewed by the board of trustees, annual accounts reviewed by an independent examiner, and report to the Charity Commission each year. Donations to the Building Retreat Huts Together campaign are held in a restricted and designated fund to ensure we can track how every pound is spent.



Yes. All donations made using the donation form will automatically receive a receipt by email. We will issue a receipt for donations made via other means upon request. If you are a UK taxpayer and have completed a Gift Aid declaration, your receipt will confirm your Gift Aid eligibility, which you can use for your Self Assessment tax return if applicable.



Gift Aid is a UK government scheme that allows charities to reclaim 25p for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer, at no extra cost to you. If you donate £100, Land of Joy can claim an additional £25 from HMRC, making your gift worth £125. To qualify, you simply need to be a UK taxpayer and complete a short Gift Aid declaration when you make your donation. If you pay higher or additional rate tax, you can also claim the difference between the higher rate and the basic rate on your Self Assessment tax return.



Yes, and regular donations are incredibly valuable as they help us plan ahead with confidence. You can set up a recurring gift through our website or arrange a standing order with your bank, becoming a ‘Branch of Joy’. Even a modest monthly donation makes a real difference over time.



Yes. If you would like to make a donation in honour of someone, in memory of a loved one, or as a gift, please let us know when you donate and we will acknowledge your dedication. We can also provide a personalised acknowledgement card on request.



Yes. We take data protection seriously and comply fully with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Your personal and financial details are stored securely and will never be shared with third parties for marketing purposes. Our full privacy policy is available on our website.