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A writer’s retreat. Write, or just relax, in peaceful surroundings
Retreats for You. A place that gives you space. So you can focus on what’s important to you.
Every writer needs space. And that's what Retreats for you provides. Comfortable rooms with desks and kettles, good food and wine, a log fire to fuel the muse, and a very warm welcome.
I am a professional writer and journalist, and I created Retreats for You to offer a supportive and peaceful environment within my home. Guests can discuss their work with me if they choose, enjoy the beautiful countryside, and relax completely. Writers have said they do some of their best work here, but we welcome absolutely anyone who needs time out and some TLC.
Contact number: 01409 231252
Everything about Retreats for You is designed to give a feeling of space, tranquility and comfort. We have three retreat rooms, two doubles and a twin. All are simple and pretty, with fresh white walls, white cotton bedlinen, plump pillows, and bright cushions. Each room has a wooden desk and chair, a chest of drawers, plenty of hanging space, and a drinks tray with kettle and fresh milk and water, which is changed daily. There are large white towels in your room, white fluffy bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer, and a halogen heater in case you feel chilly.
The guest bathroom at Retreats for you is shared between the three bedrooms, which cluster around it on the same corridor. It's clean and bright, with a bath and shower, and is well stocked with all kinds of goodies. We think that however you choose to spend your retreat time, pampering is an essential ingredient. And if you're working to a deadline, we recommend at least one candlelit bubble bath, with a glass of wine at your elbow, with perhaps a face pack thrown in....go on, it's good for the soul...
During your stay at Retreats for you, the house is yours. You're free to wander around the house and garden, get comfy in any of the nooks and crannies, and write, paint, read, meditate, snooze - whatever. There are squashy sofas in the large living room and also in the TV and video room, and in the dining room. The TV and video room and the sitting room have coffee tables, and the dining room has a long wooden table - ideal for any kind of large project. We have wifi in most areas of the house.
We encourage you to help yourself to drinks and snacks from the kitchen at any time, but you're not allowed to help with cooking or clearing up! Meals are served in the dining room or kitchen, or in the courtyard if it's nice, but you're always welcome to take a tray elsewhere. All food is homecooked, plentiful, and locally sourced where possible, eggs are from our own hens, or local free range, and we offer wine with meals. I make all our bread, and we're happy to cater for vegetarians and special diets.
Sheepwash, our village, is tiny but perfectly formed. Quiet is its middle name - some nights you can hear the proverbial pin drop. Our local pub, The Half Moon Inn, as well as our excellent local shop, and our beautiful church are all a few yards away from our front door, in the village square. We can recommend lovely walks all around, and Dartmoor and the wonderful North Cornwall beaches are both about half an hour's drive from us. We can lend you wellies and wet suits, and I am always happy to provide a hearty packed lunch.
Writers who visit sometimes want to take advantage of our more structured workshops and courses on various aspects of writing. Watch out for our yoga retreat, combined writing/woodworking retreat and other themed retreats throughout the year. We also offer massage and beauty treatments at very reasonable prices, and we can accommodate groups of up to 4/5 - please ring or email to discuss. Most people stay with us from Sunday evening until Friday lunchtime, and we can offer discounts for groups and for longer stays.
We're open all the year round, and if there's something you want that you don't see here, try us - we may be able to help!
What visitors have said about this retreat...
Submit your comment here..."A warm fire and great hospitality welcomed me at the beautiful thatched house in Sheepwash. A cosy room equipped with everything you need for a creative retreat was waiting for me. After a good night’s rest and a tasty breakfast I enjoyed working in my room, interesting conversations with Deborah and Bob, great food, a nice glass of red wine and writing by the fire, disconnecting from daily routine, lots of fresh air and walks in the countryside. Thank you Deborah and Bob for a truly inspiring week."
Valeska, Worcester
"Great hospitality and a supportive creative work environment...that's what you get at the Writers Retreat. Spend a few days in the charming village of Sheepwash and you'll be transported into another world. Thank you Deborah and Bob for all your support and generosity. I'll be back. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to get away to focus on a writing project...or any personal project. Ed Deevy, Dublin, Ireland."
Ed Deevy, Dublin, Ireland
"My stay with Deborah and her family was fantastic, exceeding all my expectations. Deborah was not only a perfect host but a great inspiration too in helping me more than double my target for the week. All the meals were gorgeous, and my room perfect. I always felt very welcome by all the family. Thank you to Bob for his perfect taxi service and to Flo for sharing her birthday celebrations with me. After a productive day writing it was lovely to sit by the log fire with a glass of wine, discussing my characters dilemma's, reading a book or just chatting. Thank you Deborah, I hope to see you again in 2009."
Sue Curran, Cork, Ireland
"Arrived after a difficult, 6 hour, foggy journey to a lovely welcome and home-made cottage pie! From then onwards, Deborah and her family went above and beyond, and I wanted for nothing. Deborah is ever -eady to guide, advise, bounce ideas off or even just for a chat. I left inspired beyond expectations, and now have a plan for my book and have applied for an MA in creative writing. Thank you, Deborah - I shall be back x"
Lorna Martin, Birmingham
"My novel grew faster than I'd hoped it could, while my every need was looked after by Deborah and her family. They made me so welcome and comfortable I couldn’t fail to be inspired to get on with my writing. The house is wonderful - I loved my comfortable room equipped with desk and kettle (what more does a writer need?) and in the evenings the log fire tempted me to scribble in the sitting room in front of the flames. Meals are delicious, there are riverside walks on hand for vital ’fresh air’ breaks, and the family are great company when sitting at the PC screen felt a bit too isolated. Definitely recommended to any writers who want to invest some time in their writing."
Katharine Robb, Birmingham
"A truly inspiring place to stay. My week's holiday was filled with lots of unforgettable memories. During my visit I felt pampered and looked after and found Deborah and family charming and welcoming. By the end of the week I 'd completed the first 20000 words of my novel which Deborah was happy to comment on and as a result I've got a definite plan to take it further which is all thanks to my time spent there. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs motivation and comfort. I'm hoping to make a return visit in 2009 "
Deborah Best, York
"It was a long way for me to get there but absolutely worth it. The quiet of the countryside and the freedom to either socialize, eat with the family or simply stay in my room - or anywhere else - and write, was great. The meals were warm and welcoming and Bob was a good taxi driver. My thanks to all."
Karen Chevasco, Gibraltar
"My stay at Deborah's was absolutely magnificent. Her meals were gorgeous and I loved the home made bread. Sitting in front of the log fire writing or just reading was so pleasant that I managed to complete the task I had set for myself even though at the time I felt I was being too optimistic. I WILL DEFINITELY be returning. Dorothy Jones, Bournemouth"
Dorothy Venus Jones, Bournemouth, Dorset
"From the moment I walked through the door of this charming house I was treated more like a friend of the family than a paying guest. I had come for relaxing peace and to write 12,500 word of my novel; both things were achieved and more. Deb was very helpful with advice and comments which were much appreciated, and I left (reluctantly) pleased to have found a new set of friends. I shall certainly be back."
Ian Gallaher, Bracknell
"Deborah is a more than generous hostess and her home is immaculate. My stay was filled with tranquillity and warmth - throughout, I was given choice as to whether I wanted to socialise or be solitary and was included within the household effortlessly. Deb has a fund of knowledge and ideas to draw on how to get work published and I found her wisdom invaluable."
Sarah McCloughry, Oxford