Carmel is a worldwide Christian religious family that first came to Britain in 1242 and is alive and active today with over forty communities of friars, religious sisters, and lay Carmelites in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Carmelites seek to be contemplatives, friends with God, who form praying communities at the service of all God's people. Reading the signs of the times we are engaged in many different ministries of service and presence: retreats and spiritual development; parishes; shrine ministry (including Aylesford Priory and the National Shrine of Saint Jude); and prison, hospital chaplaincy; counselling; teaching and research; publishing and broadcasting; ecumenism and interfaith dialogue; justice and peace work; and many other apostolates. We are an active partner in the Carmelite Institute of Britain and Ireland (CIBI).