Unplug at the Abbey

For those seeking silence in a speaking world

Come, dear soul, your screen glow fades,

Your restless thumb begins to tire;

You've wandered wide through glowing mazes,

Yet yearn for something higher.

The world keeps buzzing — fast, unkind —

With every ping, your thoughts grow thin.

But hush... within the cloistered stillness,

A deeper voice begins to sing.

St Augustine’s calls — not loud, but low,

A whisper wrapped in Surrey's green.

The Abbey gates don’t shout or flash —

They open to a gentler scene.

Put down the phone. Turn off the feed.

Let silence thread through thought and breath.

Come taste the rhythm monks have kept —

A pattern deep, that leads to rest.

Their bells are not for likes or trends,

But mark the hours to pause and pray.

They chant not tweets, but psalms of gold,

Sung slowly into light each day.

Saint Benedict, with lantern bright,

Still guides the seeking, restless soul;

His Rule, both firm and deeply kind,

Leads hearts back home, and makes them whole.

You will not scroll, but you will see —

The sky uncluttered, crisp and wide.

You’ll hear your own thoughts, clear again,

With no algorithm to decide.

Walk the woodland path in silence,

Where leaves don’t beg for hearts or shares.

Kneel beside the monks in stillness —

Let the Spirit meet you there.

The world may wait — it always does —

But this retreat is not escape.

It’s tuning in to real connection,

To grace, to love, to holy shape.

A digital detox, yes — and more:

A sacred pause from noise and speed.

Not just to rest your weary senses,

But find out what your spirit needs.

Come stay a while at Chilworth's Abbey —

Where ancient peace still softly flows.

Where silence isn’t empty space,

But where God speaks, and goodness grows.

ST AUGUSTINE'S ABBEY, SAMPLE OAK LANE, CHILWORTH, GUILDFORD, SURREY GU4 8QR

Find out about staying in our monastic guesthouse here.

PLEASE EMAIL DOM ANDREW to ask to stay in our monastic guesthouse for a few days: domandrewmcneill@gmail.com