Faith & Community Retreats · Near London, Ontario
A quiet place to gather,
reflect, and reconnect.
Fernwood Hills is a 40-acre private property in Komoka — ten minutes from London, Ontario. Faith communities, church groups, and non-profits use the Farmhouse and Studio Loft for women's retreats, leadership days, ministry planning, and community gatherings. Private. Forest. Unhurried.
Check availability →Away from the ordinary.
Getting off church property — or out of the office — changes the quality of conversations. The forest setting isn't a gimmick; it's a real shift. People arrive quieter, and stay longer in meaningful discussion.
Private for a whole day.
When you book Fernwood, the entire property is yours. No strangers, no competing groups, no schedule imposed from outside. Your group sets the pace — which is often the whole point.
Hospitality is built in.
Vern started this property as a gathering place for community groups in 1966. That spirit is still here. You bring your people and your agenda. We take care of the space.
The Spaces
Farmhouse and Studio Loft — or both.
The Farmhouse
Gathering, meals, and meaningful conversation.
The original farmhouse with a warm domestic atmosphere and a long harvest table where everyone faces each other. The right space for devotionals, facilitated discussions, shared meals, and any part of a retreat that benefits from being gathered around a table. Full working kitchen for communal cooking, or Manna catering available.
- Long harvest table seats 14 comfortably
- Full kitchen — communal cooking welcome
- Outdoor deck and fire pit for evening sessions
- Warm, residential atmosphere (not a generic event room)
- From $295 half-day · $495 full day
Studio Loft
1,120 sq ft of open space for the full group.
A vaulted, open-plan loft with hardwood floors and natural light from all sides. Large enough for the full group to gather in a circle, participate in worship, move through experiential activities, or simply spread out. Forest visible from every window. Pairs naturally with the Farmhouse for retreats that need both large-group and smaller-group space.
- Open circle format for up to 20 people
- Worship, movement, and experiential activities
- Pairs with Farmhouse for split-program days
- Vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, forest views
- From $295 half-day · $495 full day
Who Uses Fernwood
Programs that work here.
Women's Retreat Days
Half-day or full-day gatherings for women's groups — morning devotionals, creative workshops, shared meals, and time in the forest. The Farmhouse creates the warm, domestic atmosphere that makes these days feel like more than a program.
Men's Retreat Days
Leadership development, accountability retreats, and men's ministry days work well with Fernwood's combination of purposeful indoor space and outdoor land. Trail walks, fire pit, and a long table for the hard conversations.
Church Leadership Offsites
Elder boards, pastoral teams, and ministry leadership groups use the Farmhouse for planning days and decision-making retreats. Private, unhurried, and far enough from the church building to think clearly.
Missions Team Planning
Pre-trip planning retreats and post-trip debrief days for short-term and long-term missions teams. The Studio Loft is large enough for the full team; the Farmhouse is right for the meals and evening sessions.
Youth Leadership Retreats
Youth pastor teams, student leadership development days, and volunteer training retreats. Active groups appreciate the trails, the meadow, and the flexibility of both indoor and outdoor space.
Non-Profit & Ministry Strategy Days
Board retreats, fundraising planning, and organizational development days for non-profits and faith-based organizations. Simple, private, affordable compared to hotel venues — and significantly more memorable.
The Land
Creation is part of the program.
Forty acres of protected Carolinian forest — old-growth oaks, wild ferns, a meadow, and a creek. Trail walks, quiet sitting spots, and outdoor gathering spaces are built into the geography. Many retreat leaders build in unscheduled time in the forest — and find it becomes the most remembered part of the day.
Forest trails
Winding paths through undisturbed Carolinian woodland. Quiet enough for reflection. Good for walking discussions, prayer walks, or solitude time.
Meadow
An open meadow with long views and natural light — good for outdoor worship, group activities, or afternoon rest and conversation.
Creek
A natural creek accessible by trail. A peaceful landmark for quiet sitting or walk-and-talk sessions between program blocks.
The Food
Manna by Fernwood Hills — in-house food prepared in a simple, thoughtful way that fits the scale and feel of your day. Seasonal menus, family-style or buffet service. No fixed price list — menus and pricing are worked out as part of your booking. We can accommodate vegetarian and some other dietary preferences; just mention it when you inquire. Outside caterers are welcome too — bring your own, no corkage. About Manna →
Overnight Retreats
Stay the night for a deeper retreat.
Multi-day retreat programs are possible by combining the day program spaces with overnight cabin and farmhouse stays — up to 8 guests across four spaces. Evening sessions around the fire, morning time in the forest, and a slower pace that a one-day retreat can't achieve. Ask about overnight add-ons when you inquire.
See overnight spaces →Fernwood Hills has hosted community gatherings since 1966 — church groups, family reunions, and community organizations were the original guests at what Vern Humphrey called the Picnic Grove. That tradition of hospitality for community and faith groups is still very much the spirit of this place.
Plan Your Retreat
Tell us about your group.
Group size, dates, and a brief description of what you're hoping to do is enough to get started. We respond same day with availability, a custom quote, and a planning guide for your specific group.
- We confirm availability and send a custom quote
- Happy to arrange a site visit first
- Communal cooking welcome — or Manna catering on request
- Overnight add-ons available — up to 8 guests
- Non-profit organizations: ask about our rates
Manna catering $85 per person per day · All prices CAD · HST extra