Here you will find:
- Places to go nearby
- Useful services for writers
- Useful Services for self publishers
- Other writing retreats
- Mentors etc
- Favourite recipes and signature dishes
A walk down south street to the meadow (timelapse video)
Or try this three hour walk to Buckland Filleigh and back! (Taken from Ordnance Survey app, that creates walking routes).
Places to Go Nearby
Clovelly Village – cobbled streets and nostalgia – 40 mins drive
RHS Garden Rosemoor – 20 mins drive
Beaches – Widemouth Bay beach and Bude – 35 mins drive
Atlantic Village outlet, Bideford – 30 mins
Unique Devon Tours – Fancy a tour around Devon while you are here? http://www.uniquedevontours.com
Email Alex for more information [email protected]
Wild Guide Devon, Cornwall and the South West – hidden places, great adventures & the good life – Daniel Start, Tania Pascoe, Jo Keeling You can also buy the digital version of this book for £6.99
Cycling and Ruby Country
Ruby Country – Holsworthy and Hatherleigh and surrounds. Heritage, culture, wildlife and landscape, high quality goods, services and activities.
The Tarka Trail – cycle 32 miles from Barnstaple to Braunton
Savvy Cycling – Hire an electric bike & go sightseeing.
This site also has interesting trails to follow across Devon.
The Definitive Guide to Safer Cycling
This guide offers information on important cycling safety statistics as well as helpful tips and advice on how to stay safe whilst cycling at night, during winter, and in other less-than-ideal situations.
North Devon Biosphere Reserve
A place where people and nature come together in our world-class environment of dunes, grassland and moors, towns and villages, and coast and sea.
Visiting Therapists and Local Yoga
Local Yoga with lovely Jennie Dodd at Nimblelimbs Yoga Studio, Shebbear (14 mins drive.) Also – visiting massage therapist – pls book well in advance. 07760 492903.
Jennie, who used to teach yoga here, is now a qualified masseusse. I have to say she’s given one of the best massages I’ve ever had! I am very happy to recommend her. She can visit, or you can drive to her studio just 12 minutes away (use satnav – windy roads! – Go to Alscott farm, Shebbear). https://nimblelimbsstudio.uk/
Visiting massage therapist Emma Barnes – [email protected]
Reiki and reflexology with talented Sam Kettles 12 mins drive away. Email us for details info @retreatsforyou.co.uk
Mind & Body Therapy (Massage Therapy Services)
Phone: 07884 497 671
E-mail: [email protected]
Local lady, book her early to come and give you a lovely massage while you are with us. Her dad lives in Sheepwash and she often stays. Info here.
Information about Sheepwash
The Sheepwash Chronicle – local magazine incl local bus times (three times a week to three different local towns)
Local Fishing
FisherMansToolbox.com is a handy site for all things Fishing, including reviews of helpful equipment, such as depth finders and other tools that help fishermen make the most of the time they spend on the water.
Useful Links
Trains – Check times and get tickets via Trainline.
Medical Detection Dogs – clever canines helping humans in detection of disease – Debbie is an ambassador.
Find more useful info on local places of interest in our blog here.
Useful Services for Writers
Events/Competitions
A good list of upcoming writing events and competitions can be found here:
https://www.writers-online.co.uk/news/?CurrentPage=1
The Screenwriting Challenge challenges writers worldwide to create short screenplays based on genre, subject, and character assignments in as little as 24 hours. Info here.
Other services
Introducing Jericho Writers
Debi Alper has been a freelance editor since 2006, working on an average of 2-3 novels a month. She also runs the 6-week Jericho Writers’ online Self-Edit Your Novel course, which boasts a 1 in 5 success rate for alumni going on to be published. Find more on Debi’s editing services via her website here and more about her Jericho course here and here. Debi blogs here and you can find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Phil Sobell – IT Services
Need help with your author website, newsletter or social media platform? Phil can create from scratch, update or redesign. Video editing and graphic design services also offered. Contact Phil Sobell for a friendly chat.
Robert McKee
Robert McKee is renowned in the industry and if you ever saw Adaptation, the Nicholas Cage film, it was McKee they characterised as the crotchety but brilliant script expert. Sign up for his newsletter, where he will give you not only regular snippets of info about writing conundrums but also short videos analysing films, and links to other free tips and hints. Info here.
Salons — Words Away
Words Away brings creative writers together for discussion, workshops and community. Kellie’s events feature either a guest author, editor or literary agent for a focused exploration on a particular topic and also offer a chance to exchange ideas and ask questions in a friendly setting. Info here.
Voice Aloud Reader
From author & guest Nikki Sheehan, who says “I use this app to read my work back to me. There are others which are a premium and offer less robotic voices. But the basic voice on all of them is free. Some do a free trial period with more human voices. It’s always worth listening back to your work with tools like this. Click here for info.
Writers Detective
Adam is a police detective in California that helps writers with the cop stuff in their writing. Each week there is a curated list of links that crime-fiction writers will find interesting and useful. For more information visit writersdetective.com
The Write Place
The Write Place is a creative work space in the heart of Frome where writers can escape isolation, stop procrastinating, and write together in companionable silence. Click here for info.
Useful links: Benefits of Writing
Interesting article focusing on this therapeutic benefits of writing, journalling, and being creative during illness. Written for a cancer website, but of general interest too.
https://mesothelioma.net/writing-therapy-cancer-patients/
Useful Services for self publishers
Writers Online
Turn your manuscript into a bestseller with Self Publishing Guide! Info here.
Self-Publishing Advice Conference | Alliance of Independent Authors
If you are interested in self-publishing for pleasure or profit, there are lots of free talks available at this conference attached to the London book fair. Click here for info.
Other writing retreats you may contact
Added November 2024:
I saw this in The Week & thought you might find it interesting:
Where to find… the best writing retreats in the UK
Starcroft Farm in East Sussex offers four-night writing retreats in hand-built cabins, which have stargazing windows. Writers get a welcome bag, an hour’s session with writing coach Joanna Norland, and a massage (£560; starcroftfarm.co.uk).
Wild Words & Water is a female-only retreat led by author and life coach Gail Muller, at a private estate overlooking the Helford River in Cornwall. Good for budding writers, the five-day events have a supportive group vibe with yoga, wild swimming and writing workshops (from £695pp; gailmuller.com).
If you need solitude to write, Write Within has a cosy self-catering hideaway designed for writers in the Powys hills. Coaching sessions are available with book PR Julia Forster (from £390; writewithin.wales).
Ease Retreats, held in idyllic locations off the beaten track in Oxfordshire and Wales and led by a range of authors, focus on writing and wellness (one-day course from £345pp; easeretreats.com).
Source: The Sunday Times
Added before November 2024:
Arvon self-catering Clockhouse apartments
Give your writing the time and space it deserves with Arvon’s dedicated Writers Retreat at The Clockhouse. The building has four apartments for writers, each with bedroom, study-lounge and bathroom. All food is provided for you, so you can spend your time as you please. Info here.
Chez Castillon
Like RFY but in Bordeaux! Go here for more info.
Food writing retreats, Sussex
Food writers and would-be writers, if you fancy cuddling up over a good book with a bunch of fellow food scribes, this is the retreat of your dreams. Info here.
Garsdale Retreat, Yorkshire
The Garsdale Retreat is a creative writing centre, providing courses and untutored retreats, in the remote and beautiful setting of The Yorkshire Dales. Info here.
Gladstones Library
The library offers its guests the possibility of individual reflection, as well as social interaction. With an evolving programme of courses and events the priority is to build and nurture a wide network of writers and thinkers in order to maintain Gladstone’s legacy of engagement with social, moral and spiritual questions, helping people reflect more deeply on issues and ideas that concern them. The Library is a completely independent charity. Info here.
Italian Retreat
Stay in a wonderful Italian country house in Abruzzo, overlooking the Gran Sasso Mountains and close to the sea. An all inclusive writers retreat with interactive workshops for anyone who wants to write, learn about self-publishing and marketing. Info here.
Little Book Retreats
Another person doing what we do; not many dates but worth a look! Based in Doncaster. Info here.
Moniack Mhor, Scotland (Workshops)
Moniack Mhor is surrounded by fields rich in the remains of Bronze Age civilisations. Its programme supports writers working at all levels. Info here.
Monkton Wyld Court
Monkton Wyld Court is an educational charity that provides courses in sustainable living and related subjects, and finances its educational activities by running a vegetarian Country Guest House. For writers on a budget. Info here.
Plantation Villa (Wellness)
Serene and picturesque retreat nestled in Hereford, offering guests a rejuvenating Ayurvedic experience amidst lush greenery and tranquil surroundings. Info here.
Rachel Edwards
Relish the opportunity to experience an entirely bespoke solo writing retreat in luxurious private accommodation within the grounds of the Somerset home of acclaimed author, Rachel Edwards. Info here.
Residential Group Retreats – 2024 – Writers’ Retreat UK
All-inclusive Writers’ Retreat UK retreats take part in a lovely, quiet North Yorkshire venue. Info here.
Retreat West
Have you done any learning or workshops about novel writing? You may benefit from one of Retreat West’s novel-writing courses. Find more info on their range of courses here. Also available – Memberships
The River Mill, Ireland
The River Mill offers packages to meet both your creative and financial requirements. Each of the five en-suite bedrooms has a writing desk and reading chair and is different in decor and in size. The communal spaces within the mill have additional writing and reading areas, and the garden summer house can also be used by residents. Info here.
Sussex Writing Retreats
Nestled in the heart of the lush Sussex countryside, Sussex Writing Retreats cover a range of topics delivered by industry experts, but also focus on your well-being and confidence. Info here.
Ty Newydd, Wales
Tŷ Newydd is the National Writing Centre of Wales. Established in 1990, thousands of aspiring and emerging writers have since passed through their iconic teal front door. Info here.
Urban Writers’ Retreat
Urban Writers’ provides time and space for any writer to escape the world and just write. Charlie Haynes runs one-day retreats in the city or longer writing retreats in the countryside. Find more on Urban Writers’ Retreat here. Update – summer 2020: Charlie is taking a temporary break from planning full board writers retreat in Devon. Email her here for the latest info.
Writer’s Bolthole in Zone 2
N London My lovely author and broadcaster pal has a superb self-contained guest-house studio in N London. She offers self-catering from £300 a week. Kitchen facilities. Sleeps up to 3. Contact us if you’d like to be put in touch with her direct for special offers. Email here to get in contact.
Other retreats
Cold-water swimming, good for mental health
Find out more here.
Mentors etc
Audrey Niven
Audrey Niven’s Twitter thread features some useful links to blogs about stuff like voice, editing, communities to join, et cetera.
Stephanie Butland – mentor
Whether you are new to writing, a published author, or somewhere in between, Stephanie can help! Info here.
Favourite recipes and signature dishes
Now, one of the most requested recipes is our famous “massaged Kale” in a tahini marinade, with roasted butternut squash. Delicious! Inspired by ‘The happy kitchen’ recipe. Go here for more info :-).
The most popular recipe by far, during our weeklong Writers Retreats, is this one, from a book called ‘The Happy Kitchen, Good Mood Food’, by Rachel Kelly.
Using kale and butternut squash, feta (replaced the nondairy if needed) avocado, sunflower seeds and more.
It’s the magic in the marinade that transforms the kale, and you have to massage it in with love! Then leave it for an hour or so. The apple cider vinegar breaks down the fibres of the kale and makes it absolutely delicious and mouthwatering. No one can guess that it is actually raw! Usually our groups say it is their favourite meal of the week! I base mine on the Recipe below in the photograph, which comes from the book, then add extras like sweet potato fries or a jacket potato, or a corn on the cob. But buy the book it’s full of such wonderful tasty treats!
Debbie
Nov ‘23
