Down the end of a hidden Cornish lane…
We invite you to write with us…
Between the folds and the seams of the land,
Bracketed by hedgerows and trailing brambles…
Pause, rest and restore
A winter writing retreat for women with Kerri ní Dochartaigh and Lucy Beckley
Friday 7th February – Monday 10th February | near Newquay, Cornwall
SOLD OUT –
We’ve been absolutely amazed by the response to our retreat.
All the rooms have now been reserved but if you would like to be added to the waiting/cancellation list please fill out this form.
Join Kerri ní Dochartaigh and Lucy Beckley for a residential women’s writing retreat in Cornwall in February 2025.
- Three nights accommodation in beautiful surroundings
- Peace and quiet to focus on your craft
- Inspiring spaces to write (private or shared)
- A supportive and nurturing environment
- A safe space to share your work (if you want to)
- Optional workshops
- Suggestions of artists dates nearby
- Prompts, books and materials to help kindle your imagination
- Evening candle-lit feasts
- Delicious food, drink and snacks throughout
The House
Nestled at the end of a private lane, Trevessa is Lucy’s family home. With colourful interiors, comfy reception areas, multiple places to write, cosy woodburners, a grand dining room, secret well room and rambling country garden, it is a hidden gem.
Tucked away at the end of a private lane, yet ideally located to reach all parts of Cornwall, the house is surrounded by open fields, close to beautiful beaches and woodlands. The house dates back to the 16th century and used to be a counting house for the mines. It is also believed to be the birthplace in 1342 of John Trevisa who was a Cornish Writer and Translator.
What to expect
The space to write, a place to sit and take a moment.
Lots of books, access to prompts and space to be.
Time to concentrate on your craft.
A chance to join in with one workshop led by Kerri and one workshop led by Lucy and an evening of readings and a Q&A with Kerri.
While there are some set mealtimes and the option to join a workshop with both Lucy and Kerri, we want you to use the time in whichever way you wish. There is no obligation to join any of the activities, if you fancy breakfast in bed one day (or everyday for that matter) we can make that happen, we just want you to feel comfortable and at home.
Lucy grew up in Cornwall and has lived here on and off over the past decade and is always happy to share recommendations, if you also fancy time away from the house or to explore the local area.
Your hosts
Kerri ní Dochartaigh is a writer, mother and grower.
Her first book, Thin Places, was published in Spring 2021, for which she was awarded the Butler Literary Award 2022, and highly commended for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing 2021.
In 2023, her second book Cacophony of Bone was published.
She lives in the west of Ireland with her family.
Lucy Beckley is a writer, poet and creative writing facilitator based in Cornwall. She has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing from Cambridge University.
In 2021, she was shortlisted in the Renard Press New Beginnings Poetry Competition 2021 and in the Dementia Together Magazine’s poetry competition in 2023 and in 2024, she was shortlisted for the Benjamin Zephaniah Future Writer’s Competition.
She regularly runs workshops for adults, children and organisations and loves to help inspire others to find the joy and magic in writing.
Dates
Friday 7th February to Monday 10th February
Arrival will be from 16:00 on the Friday and departure from 12:00 (midday) onwards on the Monday.
Pricing
All rooms are single occupation, two have private bathrooms. The three double rooms all share one bathroom which has a bath (no shower) and toilet.
King bedroom separate from the other bedrooms in the ‘annexe’ of the house (king-size bed, private writing area, downstairs own bathroom) £875 RESERVED
Super king room (super king size bed, ensuite shower and toilet) £795 RESERVED
Double room with desk in room (double bed, desk in room, shared bathroom with bath only) £755 RESERVED
Double room with arch window (double bed, shared bathroom with bath only) £725 RESERVED
Small double room (double bed, shared bathroom with bath only) £675 RESERVED
What’s included
All food, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and accomodation is included.
Parking is available on site and Lucy can recommend a local taxi driver if you need a lift from the station or airport.
What’s not included
You will need to make your own arrangements for travel and we recommend taking out travel insurance.
Alcohol is bring your own.
Location
The house is hidden away at the end of a bumpy private lane, we are surrounded by fields yet conveniently located to access all of Cornwall.
Closest stations | Bodmin Parkway and Truro
Closest airport | Newquay Airport
Closest towns | Newquay (approx 6 miles) and Truro (approx 8 miles)
Closest beaches | Porth, Watergate Bay, Fistral
National express coaches also travel from most cities to Truro or Newquay.
Things to note
We recommend bringing wellies or outdoor shoes and waterproofs as the grounds and garden can get rather muddy and slippy. Slippers and warm, comfy clothes are also recommended.
Due to our location, wifi and phone reception can at times be a little patchy, so please bear this in mind.
The shared bathroom for the three double rooms has a bath (a very lovely one) and a toilet and sink but no shower.
If you want to explore the area whilst you’re here, you will ideally need a car, as we live at the bottom of a country lane which has quite a few potholes. We do know a fantastic taxi driver in the village and there is a bus stop that is walking distance (down narrow country lanes).
Lastly, the house is very old (we love this fact) but it does mean it has many quirks such as a downstairs bathroom for the annex bedroom, small steps into some of the rooms, uneven floors and low ceilings meaning that it is not suitable for anyone with mobility needs.
How to book
A deposit of £350 is required to secure your spot and the remaining balance is due by 1st January 2025, unless the booking is made less than four (4) weeks before the retreat begins in which case the total balance is due.
The deposit is payable by BACS, please email using the link below and state your preferred room.
When booking a room, please include your room preference, your full contact details, address and telephone number.
Lucy will be in touch to confirm your booking and send you an invoice for the deposit, which will be due upon receipt.
Once the deposit is paid the remaining balance will be due by 1st January 2025.
Please ensure you have read all terms and conditions before booking.
If you have an questions or any accessibility requirements, please email Lucy and she she will be happy to help.
“Where to begin?
recent retreat guest
Everything about the retreat was perfect. I stayed in the annex, which was a great space for rest and writing, with a really comfortable bed. We were so well looked after, with more delicious food than one could ever hope for, and so much care was taken to see that we had everything we needed. The materials, classes and circles provided by Lucy and Kerri were so inspiring and I came away with such a lot to think about and renewed determination to finish my project. Thank you for such a wonderful stay, I really think it has changed me for the better.”
