This historic house stands in 12 acres of grounds in an area of great scenic beauty and abundant wildlife. The rural tranquillity of the Chilterns, combined with a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, make St. Katharine's an ideal destination for groups and individuals, for both residential or day visits.
The house is run by the Sue Ryder Prayer Fellowship, an independent registered charity whose aim is to provide a facility that is ecumenical and non-denominational. The house is open to people of all faiths or of none.
When the house was given to Lady Ryder of Warsaw by the nuns of the Anglican order of St. Katharine of Alexandria, she determined to make it a ‘powerhouse of prayer', a place where people from all walks of life could come to find peace and renewed energy to face the challenges of life.
On entering the house, visitors find themselves in the panelled entrance hall - with its antique furniture, grand piano and stained glass windows, it is ideal for receiving large groups. In winter guests are greeted by the sight of a blazing log fire.
Two sitting rooms offer a pleasant ambience for seminars or relaxation, and the secluded double roomed library provides further meeting space for small groups.
The former banqueting hall, seating up to 120, is a consecrated chapel and may be used for worship. The altar can also be screened off to allow the room to be used for large meetings or lectures.
CATERING
Delicious food, catering for all dietary and ethnic requirements, is prepared by our professional catering staff. The panelled dining room seats up to 60 people, but larger numbers can be accommodated in the former banqueting hall.
THE GROUNDS
Visitors are free to stroll around the grounds, or find a quiet corner to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. There are a number of interesting features, including a walled garden, a pond, a formal garden which is in process of being renovated and a former sunken garden, which awaits restoration. You can also visit the chickens, who provide the delicious free-range eggs which are used in the House kitchen, and are also on sale to visitors.
RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES
Up to 24 can be accommodated in St. Katharine's and a further 12 in St. Joseph's, an annexe situated adjacent to the main house. There are a mixture of twin and single rooms, many with full or partial en-suite facilities. Extra beds can also be provided for family rooms.
For futher details of accommodation and function rooms CLICK HERE
THE HISTORY OF PARMOOR
The history of Parmoor spans back to the Fourteenth Century, when the property was apparently owned by the Knights Templar, and the magnificent cedar tree which surveys Parmoor's grounds was reputedly grown from a seed collected from the Lebanon during the Crusades.
In more recent times the house was the birthplace of Sir Stafford Cripps, the post-war Chancellor of the Exchequer, and during the Second World War the house was occupied by King Zog of Albania.
The Community of St. Katharine of Alexandria moved to Parmoor in 1947, after being bombed out of their former residence in Fulham.
The Sue Ryder Prayer Fellowship now owns the house and runs it as a non-profit making facility for both the local community and for those from further afield.
For more of the history of the house, click on the HISTORY button