Courses/Retreats

It is said that March ‘comes in like a lion, out a lamb.’ Whether wintry or vernal, enjoy the space to write, free from domestic distractions and fuelled by outstanding food.

Poets are like singers carrying their music in their forms and phrases. In this course we’ll aim to release the power that music can give our poems, considering some traditional and innovative forms, as well as just thinking about what musical effects can give to individual lines and phrases.

Memoir writing is the art of writing your own story in your own voice. Everyone’s life experiences are unique and deserve to be told. Join us to write your own story. Suitable for writers of any level of experience, or none.

Come to Garsdale in April, ‘Of spring and summer months the queen.’ (Clare) and enjoy the space to write, free from domestic distractions and fuelled by outstanding food.

This tutored retreat is designed for writers to work intensively with a focus on individual sessions to help them develop their work. Each participant will have a 30 minute individual tutorial each day, Tuesday - Friday and there will be an introductory 60 minute group workshop on the Monday.

‘Summer’s lease has all too short a date.’ So take advantage of a June untutored retreat. Let your writing blossom now summer is here with its seasonal influx of house martins, curlews, lapwings and oyster catchers. Enjoy the space to write, free from domestic distractions and fuelled by outstanding food.

Novelists, memoirists, short story writers – do you need time, space and encouragement to move your manuscript forward? This retreat is for prose writers who want guidance and motivation to help their work-in-progress achieve its potential.

‘July, with its days of blue skies and time that seemingly stands still, holds a special place in my heart.’ (Daisaku Ikeda) Spend days of blue skies at an untutored retreat in the special place of the Yorkshire dales where peace and beauty will inspire your writing. Being freed from domestic chores and enjoying delicious food will enhance this heartfelt and creative experience.

This tutored retreat is designed for writers to work intensively with a focus on individual sessions to help them develop their work. It includes one 90 minute group workshop and one 30 minute individual tutorial each day, Tuesday - Friday with a group introductory workshop on the Monday.

Leave those domestic chores behind and escape to the peace and tranquillity of a Garsdale summer.  Indulge yourself with space and time to write in idyllic surroundings fuelled by outstanding food. Meet up with your muse…