Develop your voice and get inspired to write at this guided writing retreat in the homely, beautiful surroundings of Nutsford House on the edge of Exmoor.
Workshops and support from tutor Alice Little, combined with acres of inspirational private gardens and woodland as well as the rugged beauty of Exmoor itself, will give you both the ideas and the motivation to write. Workshops will be low pressure, accommodating and nurturing so that you feel able to produce your best work. They’ll also cover a variety of techniques so you develop a range of writing skills. You’ll leave this week with the seeds of many pieces and the foundations of a writing practice to enjoy for a long time.
The week is fully catered with all your meals home cooked on the Aga by hosts Amanda and James, using locally and sustainably sourced, predominantly vegetarian produce. Breakfast includes a choice of cooked options, there are homemade soups, quiches or salads for lunch, and a two course meal in the evening. Coffee, tea and cake are available through the day to help you write.
We welcome bookings from individuals or writing groups, so please get in touch as we would be very happy to discuss your requirements.
Tutor: Dr Alice Little
Dates: Tuesday 12th September to Sunday 17th September 2023
Location: Nutsford House, Exmoor
Course at a glance
TUESDAY
Arrive in the afternoon, settle in, enjoy dinner together and the tutor’s introduction to the week.
WEDNESDAY
Morning workshops led by tutor. Afternoons are your time for writing. Late afternoon trip to bookshops in Dulverton. Dinner in the evening.
THURSDAY
Morning workshops led by tutor. Afternoons are your time for writing. Late afternoon one to one tutorials at Nutsford House. Dinner in pub in Dulverton (at own expense).
FRIDAY
Morning workshops led by tutor. Afternoons are your time for writing. Late afternoon trip up onto the moor. In the evening a guest speaker joins the group.
SATURDAY
Tutor leads the final workshops in the morning. Afternoons are for your own writing. More one-to-one tutorials in the late afternoon. Everyone gathers in the evening for a final dinner and to share pieces of work.
SUNDAY
The week comes to a close after breakfast - departures by 11am.
Please note that residential spaces have now been filled, however there are 2 day-only spaces available.
Cost: £695 for a single room with double bed (bathroom shared between two rooms) £595 for a shared twin room (bathroom shared between two rooms)
Alice is an experienced tutor and author of short fiction. She has had five collections of short stories published and has a sixth collection due out in 2023 from Holywell Press. She teaches creative writing for Exeter College and Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford, is a mentor at Oxford Writing Mentors, and runs workshops for Didcot Writers, Blewbury Writers, and Meeting Minds at Oxford University.
Nutsford House is a peaceful haven for writing. It is also Amanda and James’ home which they share on a permanent basis with their dog, two cats and a library of books, and on a temporary basis with Bed and Breakfast guests. Nestled in the Brockey Valley on the edge of Exmoor, this 1920s house has been recently restored to combine its original grandeur with 21st century convenience. It stands in 10 acres of landscaped gardens and private woodland, tucked in amongst trees and babbling streams, with the wilds of Exmoor rising above it.
Accessibility Statement: Nutsford House is on a hill. You can park next to the terrace, which is flat and has tables and chairs to sit out on and enjoy the view. The rest of the garden is sloping although the path into the woods is fairly flat. There are four shallow steps up to the front door, with a handrail. We do not have a ramp yet.
Inside the house, the ground floor is all on one level (no steps) with wide corridors. However, there are no bedrooms or bathrooms on this floor. The downstairs loo would be small for a wheelchair user. The stairs to the first floor are wide and straight with a bannister. There is space in the house and in the garden to be by yourself. There are lots of trees, birds and places to relax. The house is decorated in a calm way, with lots of natural light and it is very quiet. Amanda has worked in autism and disability for over 20 years, so it is important to us that Nutsford House is as inclusive as it can be. Please get in touch if you require any reasonable adjustments and we will do what we can to assist. Assistance dogs are welcome.