About Us

Morley Retreat House, owned by the Diocese of Derby, is an attractive Georgian former rectory set in five acres of gardens and surrounded by farmland. No matter what time of year you visit, Morley has its own beauty. It is standing beside the 14th century Parish Church of St Matthew’s, rich in ancient glass and memorial brasses. The current House replaced the old Rectory, which was destroyed by fire in 1745.

It became the Derby Diocesan Retreat House in 1959 when the Wing was built to add an extra 24 single bedrooms to the Main House.

All bedrooms are centrally heated and have hand basins with hot and cold water. Showers and toilets are located on each floor in the Wing and on stair half landings in the Main House.

Warden Jeff Witts and House Manager Catherine Witts

The millennium year of 2000 was a landmark for Morley. We finished building a new Chapel on the ground floor and the two storey Wing is now integrally linked to the main house and Chapel (Abbey Room) by a level corridor. At the same time staff accommodation was built adjacent to the Wing. All ground floor public rooms and a toilet in the House are wheelchair accessible as is our new chapel by using an exterior path. We are continually improving our facilities and have upgraded a number of rooms over the past year. At some stage we will be embarking on a programme of creating ensuite bedrooms.