Find a Quaker meeting near you
Use your location to see Quaker meeting houses in your area. Most meetings gather on Sunday morning, typically at 10:30am.
What happens in a Quaker meeting
British Quakers practise unprogrammed worship. There is no minister, no sermon, no hymns and no set liturgy. Friends sit together in a roughly circular arrangement, usually for an hour, in expectant silence. Anyone present, member or visitor, may stand and speak briefly if they feel genuinely moved to do so; this is called ministry. Some meetings pass in complete silence, others hear several short contributions. The meeting ends when two Friends shake hands, and everyone follows suit. Refreshments and conversation follow.
The silence is not emptiness. Quakers describe it as waiting on God, listening for the promptings of what early Friends called the inward light. Newcomers often find the first ten minutes restless and the last ten unexpectedly deep.
What Quakers believe
- That of God in everyone. The core conviction: every person can know God directly, so all are equal in worship and none needs an intermediary.
- Testimonies rather than creeds. Quakers have no formal creed. Their shared commitments, known as testimonies, are to truth and integrity, equality, simplicity, peace and, more recently, sustainability.
- The peace testimony. Quakers are one of the historic peace churches, known for conscientious objection, mediation and quiet humanitarian work. The Friends' relief work earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947.
- Practical faith. Quaker influence on British life far exceeds their numbers: prison reform through Elizabeth Fry, the campaign against slavery, and famous Quaker firms including Cadbury, Rowntree and Barclays.
Modern British Quakerism is theologically broad. Many Friends are Christian in a traditional sense; others hold their faith more openly. Visitors of every conviction, and of none settled, are genuinely welcome.
Visiting for the first time
- Arrive a few minutes before the start; a doorkeeper will welcome you and explain the basics.
- Sit anywhere. There is no front, no stage and no special seats.
- You are not expected to speak, ever. Most attenders never do.
- If children attend, they usually join for the first or last few minutes and have their own meeting in between.
- Dress is entirely ordinary, and there is no collection during worship; giving is arranged privately.
Meeting houses
Quaker meeting houses are worth the visit in themselves: plain rooms with clear light, some dating from the 1600s, such as Brigflatts in Cumbria near where the movement began. Larger towns often have a Victorian meeting house close to the centre, and many double as community venues during the week, hosting everything from citizens advice sessions to concerts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Quaker meeting a church service?
It is worship, but not a service in the usual sense. If you are comparing traditions, our overview of types of Christian churches places Quakers alongside the other families.
Do I need to believe anything to attend?
No. Meetings are open to everyone, and Quakers are notably unpushy. People often attend for months or years before deciding whether to apply for membership.
How long is a meeting?
The standard is one hour, though some meetings hold shorter midweek sessions. Check the meeting's listed times via the finder above or your county page, as smaller meetings sometimes gather fortnightly.