Wetherby Carmel at Wood Hall began its existence in 1969 in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. The diocesan Bishop wished the renewal of the Church in his area to be underpinned by the prayer of a contemplative community and he saw Carmel's presence in the local Church as fulfilling this need.

Watercolour painting by James Noonan 1992

The Carmel was founded from York Carmel with seven sisters and has grown over the years into a strong, united community. The monastery is a modern purpose-built one, situated in the beautiful countryside of lower Wharfedale on the edge of a wooded river valley. Its witness is very much a hidden one; but a guest flat provides a quiet space for those who wish to draw aside from the business of life and share the sisters’ life with its rhythm of prayer, liturgical worship and silence.

Apart from this main work of the monastery, which is prayer, the sisters engage in Altar Bread Work, Printing, Gardening, Forestry and Craft Work.

A full account of the foundation and life of the community can be found in the book Countryside and Cloister by Marie T. Litchfield (one of our sisters)