A Writer’s Haven

Creative Writing Retreats in the UK

Creative writing retreats offer aspiring and experienced writers a unique opportunity to escape the distractions of everyday life and immerse themselves in their craft. With its rich literary history and stunning landscapes, the UK is home to various retreats catering to different needs and preferences. This report delves into the world of creative writing retreats in the UK, exploring their offerings, costs, and locations and providing insights into the transformative experiences they provide.

History of the Arvon Foundation

The Arvon Foundation, established in 1968, has been a cornerstone of the UK’s creative writing scene for over fifty years. Founded by poets John Moat and John Fairfax, Arvon was born to provide a space for writers to hone their craft outside formal education. The first Arvon residential course was held in a community centre in Devon for a group of 16-18-year-olds. Over the years, Arvon expanded to include three historic houses: Totleigh Barton in Sheepwash, Devon, The Hurst in Shropshire, and Lumb Bank near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. Each house offers a unique atmosphere and a chance to connect with fellow writers in a tranquil setting. The Arvon Foundation also offers online courses and retreats through Arvon at Home, providing a virtual space for writers to connect and learn.

Funding Opportunities at Arvon

Arvon is committed to making creative writing accessible to all. To that end, they offer grants and concessions to help with course fees. The Low Income Grant scheme provides financial assistance to writers on a low income, enabling them to attend residential courses and online writing weeks. Arvon also offers concessions for online and residential courses, making them more affordable for those needing support.

Types of Creative Writing Retreats

Creative writing retreats in the UK offer a variety of formats to suit different learning styles and preferences. Some common types include:

Residential Writing Courses: These courses typically involve a stay at a retreat centre, providing an immersive experience. They are often led by experienced authors or writing instructors who provide guidance through workshops, seminars, and individual tutorials.
Online Writing Weeks: These offer a flexible option for writers who prefer to learn from home. They often involve a combination of online workshops, writing exercises, and feedback sessions.
Masterclasses: These are focused sessions on specific aspects of writing, such as character development, plot structure, or dialogue. They are usually led by experts in their field and provide in-depth knowledge and practical tips.
Tutored Retreats: These combine the benefits of a retreat with personalised guidance from a tutor. Writers have dedicated time to work on their projects, and they can get regular feedback and support from an experienced mentor.
Untutored Retreats: These provide a distraction-free environment for writers to work independently on their projects. They offer time and space away from the demands of daily life, allowing writers to focus solely on their craft.

Arvon Courses and Retreats

Arvon offers a diverse range of courses and retreats, catering to various writing styles and experience levels. These include:

Residential Writing Courses: Led by two expert tutors, these courses provide a structured learning environment with workshops, individual tutorials, and evening readings. Participants have the opportunity to delve deeper into their craft, receiving personalized feedback and guidance from established writers.
Online Writing Weeks: Virtual versions of the residential courses, offering flexibility and accessibility for writers who prefer to learn from home. These weeks provide a structured learning experience with online workshops, writing exercises, and opportunities for interaction with fellow writers.
Masterclasses: Focused sessions on specific aspects of writing, led by experienced authors and industry professionals. Masterclasses provide in-depth knowledge and practical tips on a particular area of writing, such as writing for children or crafting compelling dialogue.
How I Write: Free online events where established authors share their writing processes and insights. These events offer a unique opportunity to learn from successful writers and gain inspiration for your work.
Residential Tutored Retreats: Combining the benefits of a course and a retreat, these offer dedicated writing time with individual tutorials from expert tutors. Writers can immerse themselves in their work while receiving personalized guidance and support.
Untutored Retreats: Providing time and space for writers to work independently on their projects, free from distractions. These retreats offer a tranquil environment where writers can focus solely on their writing without structured activities or workshops.

Writers’ Retreat UK: Nurturing Creativity in North Yorkshire

Writers’ Retreat UK offers all-inclusive retreats in a peaceful setting in North Yorkshire². These retreats are designed to provide a supportive and relaxing environment where writers can focus on their work². The retreat offers a variety of amenities and activities, including:

Mentoring: One-on-one sessions with industry professionals to provide guidance and support². This personalized feedback can be invaluable for writers looking to improve their craft or develop their writing projects.
All meals included: Delicious and nutritious meals are provided throughout the retreat, with options for dietary requirements². This allows writers to entirely focus on their work without the distraction of meal preparation.
Comfortable writing spaces: Dedicated writing rooms and comfortable lounges provide a variety of spaces to work². Writers can choose the environment that best suits their needs and preferences.
Writing resources: Access to a library of writing books and other resources². This provides writers with inspiration and guidance on various aspects of writing.
Optional activities: Evening readings, walks in the local area, and social gatherings provide opportunities to relax and connect with fellow writers². These activities foster a sense of community and provide a break from writing.
Bring a friend: Writers can bring a non-writing partner or friend to share their room at a discounted rate². This allows writers to share their retreat experience with a loved one.

Starcroft Farm: Writing Retreats in the Sussex Countryside

Starcroft Farm offers self-catered writing retreats in cabins in a peaceful meadow in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Sussex³. Each cabin is designed to inspire creativity, with unique features and writing prompts, and inspired by women’s stories³. The retreat offers a range of activities and amenities, including:

One-on-one coaching: A session with writing coach Joanna Norland to provide support and encouragement³. This personalized coaching session can help writers overcome challenges and develop writing projects.
Massage therapy: A chair massage to help writers relax and unwind³. This can be a welcome respite from long hours spent writing.
Book gift: A hand-picked book from a local bookseller³. This provides writers with a new source of inspiration and reading pleasure.
Woodland walk and bonfire: These activities offer opportunities to connect with nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings³. These activities offer a break from writing and a chance to recharge.

The Garsdale Retreat: Creative Writing in the Yorkshire Dales

The Garsdale Retreat is a creative writing centre in the remote and beautiful Yorkshire Dales⁴. It offers a variety of courses, untutored retreats, and workshops for writers of all levels⁴. The retreat provides a tranquil environment where writers can escape distractions and focus on their work⁴.

Courses and Retreats at The Garsdale Retreat

The Garsdale Retreat offers a range of options for writers:

Courses: Led by professional writers, these courses provide workshops and one-to-one tutorials to help students develop their skills⁴.
Untutored Retreats: Providing time and space for writers to work independently on their projects in a peaceful setting⁴.
Tutored Retreats: Combining the benefits of a course and an untutored retreat, these offer dedicated writing time with individual tutorials from expert tutors⁴.

Madingley Hall: Creative Writing Retreats near Cambridge

Madingley Hall, a 16th-century manor house near Cambridge, hosts Creative Writing Retreats for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)⁵. These retreats are designed to inspire writing and help build a community of writers⁵. They are led by Yvonne Battle-Felton, an author and academic⁵. The retreats are available for resident and non-resident attendees⁵.

Activities at Madingley Hall

The Creative Writing Retreats at Madingley Hall offer tutor-led sessions and independent writing time⁵. Activities include:

Tutor-led sessions: Motivational starts to the writing day and small-group workshops⁵.
Dedicated writing time: Scheduled time for writers to focus on their projects⁵.
Discussions and sharing: Opportunities to discuss writing and share work with fellow students⁵.
Readings: Evening readings where participants can share their writing⁵.

Reviews and Testimonials

Here’s what some past attendees have said about their experiences at creative writing retreats in the UK:

Arvon Foundation: “I’ve attended 7 or 8 Arvon courses and loved every one of them. There was never one that was disappointing, and I always learnt a lot with excellent tutors.” – Denise Barnes ⁶
Arvon Foundation: “The Skyros course was indeed good, too! I found it incredibly helpful: for the instruction, for the networking (although that can never be taken for granted) and the peace and quiet.” – Robert Pimm ⁶
Starcroft Farm: “This retreat has been magical. It was just the experience I needed – it allowed me to create that space for writing that I desperately craved. I ended up writing 12k words!” – Alice ³
Gail Muller’s Retreat: “Not only a wonderfully cosy house in a spectacular location, but everything you need for a restorative week boosting your creativity: deliciously healthy meals, wild water swimming, breath work and yoga to refresh and reconnect with mind and body; and amazingly inspirational, encouraging, and supporting Gail Muller.” – Past Attendee ⁷

Conclusion: Finding Your Writing Haven

Creative writing retreats in the UK offer diverse experiences, from structured courses led by expert tutors to independent retreats in tranquil settings. Whether you’re seeking expert guidance, a supportive community, or simply time and space to write, there’s a retreat to suit your needs. The costs and durations vary, so it’s essential to research and choose a retreat that aligns with your budget and goals. With its inspiring landscapes and rich literary heritage, the UK provides the perfect backdrop for a transformative writing retreat.

Consider exploring the options presented in this report and find your own writing haven where you can unleash your creativity and develop your craft. For further research, you can visit the websites of the retreats mentioned or explore online resources such as the website for the UK’s National Association of Writers’ Groups (NAWG).

Retreat	Location	Cost	Duration	Amenities	Activities	Website
Arvon Foundation	Totleigh Barton (Sheepwash, Devon), The Hurst (Shropshire), Lumb Bank (near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire)	Varies by course/retreat	Varies by course/retreat	Comfortable accommodation, writing spaces, libraries	Workshops, tutorials, readings, online courses	http://www.arvon.org
Writers’ Retreat UK	North Yorkshire	Varies by retreat	3 or 6 nights	Ensuite rooms, writing facilities, meals, refreshments	Mentoring, workshops, countryside walks	https://writersretreatuk.co.uk/
Starcroft Farm	Sussex	£650 ³	4 nights	Self-catered cabins, writing desks, wifi	Writing coaching with Joanna Norland, massage therapy, woodland walk, bonfire	https://www.starcroftfarm.co.uk/writing-retreats
The Garsdale Retreat	Yorkshire Dales	£770 – £1,115	Varies by course/retreat	Edwardian house, converted coach-house, meals	Courses, untutored retreats, workshops	https://thegarsdaleretreat.co.uk/
Madingley Hall	Cambridge	£875 (retreat) ⁸, £65 per hour (1:1 supervisions) ⁸	Weekend or 6 days	16th-century manor house, gardens, meals	Tutor-led sessions with Yvonne Battle-Felton, writing time, discussions, readings	https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/creative-writing-retreats

Works cited

1. The Arvon Foundation | Centre for Literature and Archives – University of Exeter, accessed on February 16, 2025, https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/centres/literatureandarchives/holdings/arvon/

2. Writers’ Retreat UK – The perfect place to create, accessed on February 16, 2025, https://writersretreatuk.co.uk/

3. Writing retreats — Starcroft Farm Cabins, accessed on February 16, 2025, https://www.starcroftfarm.co.uk/writing-retreats

4. The Garsdale Retreat | Residential Creative Writing Courses and …, accessed on February 16, 2025, https://thegarsdaleretreat.co.uk/

5. Creative Writing Retreats | Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), accessed on February 16, 2025, https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/creative-writing-retreats

6. Arvon writing courses review: fun and inspiration at The Hurst, Shropshire – Leigh Turner, accessed on February 16, 2025, https://rleighturner.com/arvon-writing-courses-review/

7. Writing Retreat in Cornwall — Gail Muller, accessed on February 16, 2025, https://www.gailmuller.com/writing-retreats

8. Creative Writing Retreat | Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), accessed on February 16, 2025, https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/course/creative-writing-retreat