Gomde UK — Our Story
From a bold vision sparked by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche in 2009, Gomde UK has grown from a handful of students into a vibrant centre welcoming hundreds of visitors worldwide for Dharma, environmental stewardship, and community.
Gomde UK — Our Story
In 2009 Gomde UK became a registered charity and purchased the estate in the charity’s name. Lindholme Hall and its surrounding 180-acre island were registered as a place of worship. This formed the foundation of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s vast vision: a place to gather, to study, and to grow.In the early days, teachings were held in a reception room at Lindholme Hall. But on his first visit in January 2010, Rinpoche walked the grounds and singled out a dilapidated barn—a concrete block structure with a rusted roof and dirt floor. Despite initial scepticism from the trustees, Rinpoche’s confidence made it seem completely natural. By June 2010, although not yet finished, the hall hosted our first seminar with Phakchok Rinpoche.
In the years that followed, through generous donations of our community, the building was transformed into a beautiful and elegant space. It features a handmade oak shrine, a central golden statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, a painted copper statue of Padmasambhava, and a hand-carved image of the protector Gonpo Barnak. The hall also houses a full set of the Kangyur and Tengyur – the words of the Buddha and classical commentaries. Today, the Shrine Hall accommodates up to 135 people and is the most-used gathering space at Gomde. It is both a spiritual refuge and a cultural landmark—a stepping stone to the monastery and temple at the heart of Thubten Chökor Ling.
Alongside the Shrine Hall, the wider site began its transformation. A once uninhabitable coach house was restored with guest rooms, a café, dining area, and shop. The former pigsty site was turned into a dining hall, library, and en suite accommodation. Each project felt improbable at the start, but was made possible by the vision, trust, and effort of our growing community.
Today, that vision continues to unfold through the development of Thubten Chökor Ling—a monastery with a landmark Buddhist temple at its heart, a world-class library, and the new Peatland Retreat Wing, providing additional accommodation for our growing number of students and visitors.
Today, that vision continues to unfold through the development of Thubten Chökor Ling—a monastery with a landmark Buddhist temple at its heart, a world-class library, and the new Peatland Retreat Wing, providing additional accommodation for our growing number of students and visitors.
Community
Gomde UK was a rare jewel, but we were few. To grow, we needed others—so we reached out. A local meditation group formed within months. We made close allies among passionate conservationists who had long protected this unique landscape.“Although we wanted to benefit others, we also needed others.”
From early on, we recognised the interdependence of our situation. This mutual reliance laid the foundation for enduring friendships and meaningful collaboration. Today, many of our volunteers have been with us for more than a decade, and kind-hearted helpers continue to arrive. They are the lifeblood of Gomde.
As our presence and work in Doncaster have grown, so too has the recognition and support from the wider community. In 2022, Gomde was honoured to be one of Doncaster’s “Voices of the City”, recognised for contributing to local diversity and community life. We were also chosen to meet His Majesty King Charles III.
In 2024, Doncaster Council’s CEO Damien Allen joined Gomde’s trustees on a visit to Nepal to attend the inauguration of the Thousand Buddha Temple in Lumbini, led by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche. This shared experience became a moment of deep inspiration as we continue developing our own Buddhist temple here at Gomde, strengthening our partnership and shared aspirations for Doncaster.
In 2024, Doncaster Council’s CEO Damien Allen joined Gomde’s trustees on a visit to Nepal to attend the inauguration of the Thousand Buddha Temple in Lumbini, led by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche. This shared experience became a moment of deep inspiration as we continue developing our own Buddhist temple here at Gomde, strengthening our partnership and shared aspirations for Doncaster.
Shortly after, we welcomed a delegation from the City of Doncaster, including the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Mayor Ros Jones, the Council’s CEO, and MP Lee Pitcher. Their visit was a joyful and affirming moment, reflecting a shared vision for the city. In conversations with our trustees, it became clear that Gomde’s activities, vision and commitment to nurturing heart, mind, and land provided direct support for Doncaster’s objectives of creating thriving people, places, and planet.
“A joyous visit to the Gomde Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Doncaster… Great plans to expand the temple into a national centre for study, retreat, environmental and well-being activities—to name a few. It will be super to see this project succeed for Doncaster.”
Bill McHugh, City of Doncaster Council
Today, the City of Doncaster is applying to become a UNESCO Regenerative City and Biosphere Reserve. Should this succeed, Gomde UK will sit at the heart of its core protected area—a future we could never have imagined.
Finances
We rarely had enough funds, yet somehow, the work got done. Donations came. Community skills, resourcefulness, and a can-do attitude filled the gaps. “Gomde UK gets so much done with the least funds”, said Greg Whiteside, former Director of the Rangjung Yeshe Institute (an insitution for higher learning of Buddhist Philosophical and Contemplative Studies in Nepal). It’s been true from the start. However, we understood from the beginning that a diverse income base would provide the best security to grow and sustain Gomde long term. While donations remain our main source of income we also have annual grant income from long term environmental initiatives, grants supporting our conservation management of the land, income from hay making, a shop, rental income, income from generating renewable energy as well as one-off grants for particular projects like developing the library and the ancient oak survey. None of these income streams is major but, like binding twine to make strong rope, together they provide Gomde’s long term security.“Gomde UK gets so much done with the least funds.”
Greg Whiteside former Director of Rangjung Yeshe Institute (RYI). RYI is an insitution for higher learning of Buddhist Philosophical and Contemplative Studies in Nepal.
Support Us
Spiritual Roots
Lindholme Island has long been a place of spiritual significance—a timeless sand mandala. It was a waypost for Neolithic traders, and the site of an ancient chapel. In the 1400s a hermit lived alone on the island, becoming the source of lasting local folklore. Time and space fold gently on this land. It is a place that invites stillness, reflection, and devotion—a sacred ground where the spiritual path can unfold.Discover Our Heritage
The Land
The Lindholme Hall Estate lies in the heart of Hatfield Moor‘ part of the Humberhead Levels National Nature Reserve. At the time of purchase, we had no idea how uniquely suited it was for our activities. With no neighbours for 3 miles and surrounded by wild peatland, it offered a setting of deep stillness and natural beauty. Over time, our care for the land has grown alongside our practice. We see it as a living support for everything we do here. Explore Our Land
“You don’t need to learn anything about meditation, simply being on the land calms your mind.”
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche
The Future
We are now ready to embark on our most exciting chapter yet—the creation of Thubten Chökor Ling. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche envisions this new Buddhist Monastery, with a landmark Buddhist Temple at its heart, as a permanent sanctuary for preserving and imparting the Buddha’s teachings. Built to serve a broad community, it will be a beacon of hope and peace, inspiring calm, kindness, and clarity in everyone who visits, now and for generations to come. This is not an exclusive place for the few, it is Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s vision that this ‘living monastery’ will be of benefit to all who seek peace, kindness and meaning.
Discover Thubten Chökor Ling
Discover Thubten Chökor Ling
