Kadampa Meditation Centre Southampton

What it’s like

Drop into an evening meditation class or a half day workshop, no Buddhist background or prior experience needed.

This is a proper meditation centre rather than a one-off wellness pop-up, so the classes have a bit of structure to them. An evening class runs £12 and the site is upfront that you don't need to be Buddhist or have meditated before to turn up, they pitch the teachings so beginners aren't lost in the first five minutes. If you want more than a single evening, there's a half day workshop at £25, which gives you a longer stretch to actually settle into it rather than just getting comfortable before it ends.

Doors open half an hour before the scheduled class, so you're not stood on the doorstep waiting, and that gap's useful if you want a coffee first. The café does fair trade organic coffee and Clipper teas, with vegetarian and vegan cakes on offer, and it runs Monday to Thursday from 11am to 2:30pm. One thing to flag: the centre is closed during the day on Mondays until further notice, so don't plan a daytime visit around that one.

There's no listed age range here, which tells you this is built around adults coming to sit and learn rather than a family activity. Access is sorted properly though, with wheelchair access, a disabled toilet and a hearing loop. Courses work out cheaper if you buy the whole run rather than paying per class, and there's a monthly membership if you think you'll keep coming back.

Parking's easy enough, West Quay has parking and there's free parking around the area too, plus it's a short walk from several central bus stops if you'd rather not drive.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

West Quay Parking. Free parking in the area

Food

Fair trade organic coffee, Clipper organic teas, vegetarian and vegan cakes & snacks

Getting there by bus or train

Bus: closest bus stops are Vincent Walk St

• Doors open 30 minutes before class starts, worth arriving early rather than on the dot
• Closed during the day on Mondays until further notice
• Buy a whole course rather than single classes if you're planning to keep coming, it's cheaper
• The café keeps limited hours, 11am to 2:30pm Monday to Thursday

Plan your visit

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