st peter’s weekend away 2025
31 JANUARY - 2 FEBRUary 2025 at de vere wokefield estate, reading
We all had such a wonderful time at the St Peter’s Weekend Away in 2024, that we’ve decided to do it all again in 2025!
The weekend away is a wonderful opportunity to meet others in our church family, build friendships, enjoy time outside of London and learn more about God and the plans He has for us as individuals and as a church. It is “6 months of church in a weekend”.
We will be in touch with those who have booked for the weekend nearer the time, but we hope the FAQs below are helpful as you prepare.
Weekend Away FAQs
Where and when is the weekend away taking place?
The weekend away is taking place at the De Vere Wokefield Estate, Goodboys Lane, Mortimer, Reading. RG7 3AE, from Friday, 31 January to Sunday, 2 February 2025.
What are the room arrangements?
Standard rooms at De Vere are either a single, double or twin hotel room. All rooms are en-suite. Wokefield Place is a 4* hotel, so rooms are of a high standard. Double rooms are for married couples only. Others can either select a single room or choose the twin room option and we will pair you up with someone of the same sex to share with.
How much does the weekend away cost?
Prices are:
Adults:
£225 per person if sharing a twin or double room (so £450 for a married couple)
£275 for a single room
Children:
0-3 years old sharing a room with an adult(s) in a baby cot – FREE (no food will be provided)
4-12 years old sharing a room with an adult(s) - £155 per child
13-16 years old sharing a room with an adult(s) - £165 per child
If I sign-up and then later realise I cannot attend, can I get a refund?
A refund can be provided if you cancel your booking up to 22 December 2024. After that date, all rooms booked will have been finalised with De Vere and we will be unable to provide a refund. (Unless there is a waiting list of people wanting to attend.)
What is the last date I can sign-up?
We have provisionally booked 50 rooms at De Vere. Once they have been taken, any further rooms would be dependent on the venue’s availability. As there is another conference (bigger than our booking) taking place during the same weekend, there may not be any further rooms available to book.
The last date for signing up would therefore be the earlier of Sunday 12 January 2025 OR when rooms are no longer available.
So don’t miss out - book on today!
What is included in the cost of my ticket?
The price includes 2 nights accommodation at the De Vere Wokefield Park hotel, all meals from dinner on Friday night to Sunday lunch, unlimited tea and coffee at the free flowing refreshment stations, free use of the venue’s leisure facilities, access to ministry activities, social activities, evening entertainment and all the main sessions.
Payment Plans / Bursaries
We would love as many of the church family to join us for the weekend as possible, and we do not want finance to be a barrier to this. We recognise that it can be a lot of money to pay out all in one go, especially around Christmas time, so if you would like to set-up a payment plan to split the cost of the weekend away over a few months you can either email Rachel in the church office by clicking here or indicate on the booking form that you would like to set-up a payment plan (in the final question), and the church office will get in touch with you to arrange this.
If your financial circumstances mean that the rates above are too much, then please email Rev Pat by clicking here as we have bursaries available.
Conversely, if you are willing to donate a place on the weekend away, to allow someone else to accept a bursary, please email Rachel here.
How do I pay?
Once you have made a booking, please make a transfer to the church bank account (Sort code: 60-83-01; Account number: 20255589), making sure the reference is ‘Weekend Away’.
What facilities are there at the venue and is there an additional cost for using them?
The hotel facilities include a fully equipped pool and gym, tennis courts, football pitches and many acres of landscaped grounds, so you can go for a beautiful walk around the venue. All these are free to use for people at the weekend away, though please note that children will need supervision in certain areas.
In addition to our meeting rooms and restaurant, there is also a bar and lounge for guests to use in the evenings/free time. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
Who is the speaker?
We are delighted to announce that Greg Downes will be joining us as our main speaker over the weekend. He is an international evangelist and director of Kingfisher Ministries. He is the former Dean of the Wesley Centre at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University.
When will we know the schedule?
The detailed schedule will be finalised before the weekend away and communicated to attendees, but we expect rooms will be available from 4pm onwards on the Friday afternoon, and the weekend will be finished by 3pm on the Sunday afternoon.
What if I don’t know anyone at church?
We welcome everyone who would consider themselves a part of the church family – whether you have been at St Peter’s for a few weeks or many years. During the weekend, you will be allocated into a small group during the main sessions, so there will be many opportunities for getting to know others quickly. If you are a regular church attender, but your spouse/family is not, they would be most welcome on the weekend as well.
How will people know who I am?
We will give everyone a lanyard with their name printed on it, so everyone can learn your name and visa versa.
What children’s provision is there across the weekend?
We will design an appropriate children’s programme once we know the ages of children who have booked onto the weekend.
Does De Vere cater for different dietary requirements?
Yes, when you book on the weekend, you will be asked to let us know any specific dietary requirements and we will pass these on to the hotel Chef and their catering team.
Is the venue accessible for those with mobility issues?
If you have mobility issues, please let us know and we will make sure your room is situated in an accessible area.
How can I travel to the venue?
The venue is easy to get to from London – some options are:
By Road
The hotel is easily accessible from Junction 11 of the M4 or junction 5 of the M3. Use the postcode (RG7 3AE) to find the hotel. Parking is free for all guests. We will ask those driving if they have any space in their car to give lifts to others.
By Train
Reading station is 7 miles away from the venue, with a taxi taking 20-30 minutes from the station. There are frequent, direct trains from London Paddington to Reading – journey time between 23-28 minutes. Mortimer station is less than 2 miles from the venue, with a taxi taking 5 minutes from the station. There are 3 trains an hour during peak times between Reading and Mortimer stations on a weekday, 2 trains an hour on a Saturday and one train an hour on a Sunday.
How will I find my way around?
Links to a site map and floor plans can be found below: