IONA ABBEY ESSENTIAL BOOKING INFORMATION
In our programmes, guests engage in conversation and action focussed on justice and peace, embedded in the concerns of the Iona Community. We explore faith, take part in creative activities, and discover community over meals. There is time and space to relax outdoors, explore the beautiful island with its white sandy beaches and profusion of wildlife, take time apart to reflect, read, walk or write – or simply to be quiet in the peace of the church or the landscape.
LIVING IN COMMUNITY
True to its beginnings and the rebuilding of life in community, time staying at Iona Abbey includes time spent sharing in the practical tasks of communal living, including helping with cooking, cleaning and hosting. Most rooms are shared, and bathroom facilities are also shared. Our renovated living quarters means that there are accessible bedrooms and bathrooms for those who require this. You will also be invited to join in the daily services of worship in the Abbey Church and, if you wish, help to plan and lead services.
Every week, ‘The Pilgrimage’ visits key Iona landmarks, pausing for moments of reflection. Boat trips to Staffa are also very popular. Browse books of poetry, history, prayers and issues of concern, and purchase postcards and gifts in the The Iona Community Shop
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the Iona Community on Iona.
Click on the sections below to find out all you need to know about your stay at Iona Abbey.
If you still have questions after reading this information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with IonaAbbeyBookings@iona.org.uk
ESSENTIAL BOOKING INFORMATION
Individual and group bookings
Individual bookings
Have a read through all the programme weeks on offer this year. And when you are ready to book you will find the link included in the programme below.
Group bookings
We are happy to welcome groups of up to 15 people. If you are thinking about bringing a group of 8 or more people to Iona, please contact us by email to let us know a few more details at IonaAbbeyBookings@iona.org.uk.
Family bookings
If you are coming as a family, we will allocate you to one room if possible, however, since our biggest room can only accommodate four people, we will have to make use of two rooms if there are more than four of you.
Costs and discounts
Abbey prices include accommodation; breakfast, lunch, dinner and other refreshments; all programme sessions, music, art and craft opportunities, materials and guided walks.
Please note that anyone aged 16 and above are classed as adults for bookings.
From 2024, we are delighted to extend our free places to all children under the age of 5. To take advantage of this offer please email IonaAbbeyBookings@iona.org.uk
| Type of week | Nights | Adult | Reduced | 6-15 | 0-5 |
| Standard week | 6 nights | £762.00 | £381.00 | £381.00 | free |
| 3 nights (an option on certain weeks where shown) | 3 nights | £381.00 | £190.50 | £190.50 | free |
| Easter Wednesday to Tuesday | 6 nights | £762.00 | £381.00 | £381.00 | free |
| Stillness in Community (no programme) | 4 nights | £376.00 | £188.00 | N/A | N/A |
| Work week (aged 18+) | 6 nights | £381.00 | £190.50 | N/A | N/A |
Prices shown are inclusive of VAT Deposit for all bookings: 20% (non-refundable)
We know that some people cannot afford these prices and offer the following reductions and discounts:
We offer a 50% reduction to the following UK residents (select the reduced rate tab on the booking page):
- students in full-time education
- people whose only income is from state benefits or a state pension
- people paid beneath the real living wage (The UK Living Wage is £12.00 an hour, and the London Living Wage is £13.15 an hour for 2023–24)
- those who are homeless, refugees, or asylum seekers
We offer a 15% discount to families of four or more
We do not want financial cost to be a barrier for anyone who wants to come and stay with us at Iona Abbey.
Read our ACCESSIBLE TO ALL section next to find out what further support we can offer.
Accessible to all
We know that the cost of travelling to and staying at Iona Abbey can be prohibitive to many. We offer a range of reduced prices, and discounts on all weeks. We encourage groups to raise funds to support their own members.
From 2024, we are delighted to extend our free places to all children under the age of 5. To take advantage of this offer please email IonaAbbeyBookings@iona.org.uk
The Iona Community has an access fund to help those resident in the UK who would not otherwise be able to come. Subsidies, including towards cost of travel, may be available. We encourage group leaders or individuals to apply for this via IonaAbbeyBookings@iona.org.uk or call 01681 700404.
In addition, working through our Partners, we have committed a portion of our beds at the Abbey each week of the season, and in one of our island cottages, offered free of charge to those in particular need. See our Unlocked programme page for more information.
We want all people to be able to come to the Abbey, and will offer what support we can.
Support our Access Fund
While you are making your own booking, please consider making a donation towards the Access Fund if you are able to, which allows financially disadvantaged people to stay at Iona Abbey or Camas. Thank you.
Your gift would help to pay for:
| £1,000 | A week for a family on Iona |
| £300 | A week for a person on Iona |
| £200 | A week for a child on Iona |
| £100 | A week for a person at Camas |
| £50 | A night on Iona |
| £25 | A night at Camas |
Looking for a shorter stay?
We are delighted to be able to welcome guests for shorter stays in our 2024 season.
To help make this work within our existing rhythm of Community life we require that the minimum stay is for two nights. And you will still need to arrive on a Saturday.
The rate for these shorter bookings is at £112 per night per person. A minimum stay will be £224 per person.
Since the nature of these bookings will be within six weeks of arriving, we will require a full payment when you book.
We will allocate whatever rooms are available on your arrival date, which may mean you will end up sharing with someone. You will get to experience Community life, even if only staying for a short while.
Keep an eye out on our programme weeks to find out what weeks are available for shorter stays.
We’re looking forward to have you come and stay!
Cancellation policy
All guests booking a week at the Abbey are strongly advised to take travel insurance to cover the eventuality of cancellations.
Please note that the cancellation policy for groups is different. Contact ionaabbeybookings@iona.org.uk for further information.
Deposit payments are ALWAYS non-refundable and non-transferable.
Full booking balance must be paid 42 days before arrival. Bookings made less than or equal to 42 days require the full balance to be made on Booking.
If cancelled 42 days or less prior to the trip to Iona the full cost is non-refundable and non-transferable.
In the event that, for unforeseen reasons, a paid place cannot be taken at the last minute, we would only ever consider a refund of the balance payment if there was a waiting list for the week and your place could be given to another guest. If there was no waiting list, we would ask that you claim on your travel insurance.
If your insurance policy could not cover your claim, we might consider a transfer if there were weeks later in the season with plenty of remaining availability.
If we are able to offer alternative dates but these do not suit you or you have to cancel the alternative dates, then the non-refundable and non-transferable policy would apply in full.
If you still have unanswered questions after reading through the essential information do check out our Frequently Asked Questions linked to below.
And if you still have a query, please get in touch with IonaAbbeybookings@iona.org.uk or call 01681 700404.
