Our Services

Meditation Meditation

A group meets weekly for 45 minutes of meditation on Mondays & Thursdays at 6:30 pm in the Farm House Studio.
All are welcome.

Yoga Yoga

A weekly all-levels yoga class is held from 8:30 – 10 am on Saturdays.
Contact us if you are interested in attending. Private lessons can also be arranged.

Food Food

Meals and cooking courses can be arranged with our chef. During the summer, fruits & vegetables come straight from our gardens and orchards.

Art Art

A beautiful site for outdoor painting & drawing, plus plenty of indoor space for art making. Group courses can be arranged.

Site Rental Site Rental

Rent the whole center to host your own gathering. The site is great for retreats, meetings, reunions, workshops or restorative getaways.

Retreats Retreats

The perfect spot to hold or attend a retreat. The beautiful grounds offer many options for people to come together or find respite.

Testimonials

  • Rob

    This place is like heaven on earth and home away from home

    - Rob
  • Ken

    Eliza’s farm is absolutely perfect. If you’re looking for a wonderfully private space to host a group getaway, I can’t recommend it enough. I took a group of 16 friends here, and all of us had plenty of room to stretch out. Beds and hot water is plentiful, and there’s so many spaces to relax indoors and out. The kitchen in the garden house has virtually everything you could possibly need to prepare a meal. We grilled burgers and veggies, made a roast chicken dinner, and had a full spread of tacos for 16 people. The space and equipment was more than enough to cover this in the garden house, but there’s a full kitchen in each of the other houses too. The land was beautiful. Well maintained trails and hikes ranging from easy to moderate. It’s more beautiful in person, but what you see in the pictures should give you an idea for the amazing aesthetics of the place. Rob helped us out for our whole stay. He made sure we had everything we need, was quick to respond to messages, and saved the day when we ran out of propane. He also gave us an archery lesson and a nice tour of the land in his ATV. If you’re looking for a group stay in a picturesque part of Vermont, close to town and The Townshend Dam Diner, but tucked away and private, I highly recommend this place! We hope to be back again

    - Ken
  • Lindsay

    If you’re looking for a truly special place to host a group of people, this is it! Eliza and Rob were so warm, welcoming, helpful and kind. I hosted a 3 day retreat at The Empty Center and it was SUCH a special event. The land is so serene and peaceful. The stars at night are amazing. The homes are clean, unique, beautiful and filled with care and love. We loved the yoga studio, the communal table for meals on the deck, hanging out on the dock at the pond, hiking up to the ridge at night under the stars and Rob even took the time to teach us some archery. It was a weekend none of us will ever forget and we are truly grateful for this special location and wonderful hosts. We will certainly return!

    - Lindsay
  • Rachel

    What a gorgeous place to have a retreat! I gathered 18 women on Eliza’s property and it could not have been more perfect. The land is magnificent with so much space to spread out. The fields, pond and streams were wonderful to explore. The houses were beautiful and clean…and the yoga/meditation room was amazing for movement and gathering the whole group. All of those who attended loved staying there. I would highly recommend it!

    - Rachel
  • Danielle

    Rob and Eliza’s retreat center is something special. It is more beautiful than I could ever put into words. We had a lovely time hosting our intimate wedding reception here this past weekend and were able to enjoy the property and so were our guests. Many of us walked the trails and just found a spot tucked away and sat in quiet repose taking in the stillness Rob and Eliza’s property offers. Both were amazing hosts, Rob guided us on the property when we first arrived and was helpful to answer any questions. Both Rob and Eliza were above and beyond accommodating to us and quickly replied to any messages. Rob lives with his wife on the further corner of the property out of sight but was readily available if needed. We had a lovely weekend. Thank you both so much.

    - Danielle
  • Holly

    “The experience is still fresh in my mind. I guess that says it all. Not only was the location/space idyllic and perfect for a retreat, the yoga, sessions, and workshops brought so much clarity to me. It truly was a weekend of everything that I needed just as I needed it. Thanks to [Jewel City Yoga] for creating a space and time filled with love, acceptance, and support.”

    - Holly
  • Suz & Tim

    We had a wonderful time at the Empty Centre. My partner and I were over from New Zealand for our second visit. This place is so special. The perfect New England retreat. The views are stunning from every corner of the property. Nature as far as the eye can see. With beautiful 200 year old red farm buildings. I especially enjoy the beautifully mowed hiking trails, roaming through the meadows that weave between the trees.

    - Suz & Tim
  • Sharyl

    This land is one of my favorite places on the planet, many people would say that, I believe.

    - Sharyl
  • Said Graiouid, School for International Training

    A wonderful place for reflection and communion with self and nature.

    - Said Graiouid, School for International Training
  • Mimi Marchev, International HR Manager, World Learning

    The Empty Center is the perfect place for a day of focused group work away from office distractions. Tucked away on a beautiful wooded hillside, it combines the comfort and convenience of home with versatile meeting spaces.

    - Mimi Marchev, International HR Manager, World Learning

The Empty Center is a place for people to be and be together. One hundred and eighty acres full of trees, pastures, hills, ponds, and wildlife help that to happen. We offer this space in service.

Located thirty minutes from both Brattleboro, Vermont and Stratton Mountain, in the West River Valley, the Empty Center in Townshend offers an ideal setting for retreats, events, meetings, and workshops. Beyond all the space to roam and relax in, there are three houses and a cabin available for rent. The Farm House has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, as well as ample indoor meeting space and an open studio for meditation, yoga, or dance. The Garden House has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a chef’s kitchen. The Pond House is a one-bedroom cottage with a bathroom, a small kitchen, and a living/dining room. The Sugar House is a cabin with electricity, but no running water. A dome yurt is also available for camping or gatherings. Meals of fresh whole foods that highlight vegetables grown here on the farm can be arranged for small groups. Meals for vegetarians, vegans or any dietary restrictions are available with advanced notice. Feel free to inquire about the possibilities. The center seeks to operate in harmony with nature in the products we buy, the way we garden, and how we’ve renovated the space.

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