The Creative Retreat

What is the creative retreat?

The creative retreat is a place to rejuvenate and revitalise your creativity. A bit like a spa break for your mind. Together with 11 other creative professionals you’ll have the opportunity to relax, reflect and find new ways of resolving creative challenges.

It will take place in June over three days and two nights on the edge of the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog mountains in Wales. You’ll stay in a luxurious converted medieval farmhouse and participate in workshops designed to liberate your creativity. You’ll work closely with your fellow attendees, getting to know them over delicious dinners and around the fire pit. And you’ll have the chance to get closer to nature on a guided mountain walk, in the natural swimming pool or wandering amid the wildflower meadows.

Who is it for?

The retreat has been designed for creative professionals; people whose creativity is central to the work they do. Maybe you’re a creative director or marketeer, perhaps a writer or an artist, or someone who has the ambition to move into a more creative role but just needs to find a springboard. No matter, all are welcome.

The creative retreat will be particularly fruitful for anyone who finds themselves at an impasse, as if they’ve stalled or become stuck in a rut. Similarly, if your confidence has taken a hit recently, or your creative demons have been even more bothersome than usual, then the retreat will be an excellent remedy.

What’s the schedule?

On day one you’ll travel under your own steam to Wales. You’ll meet your fellow attendees over lunch before participating in an automatic drawing workshop hosted by the artist Kate Shooter. Please note that no artistic ability is required! There’ll be time before dinner to explore the grounds and the wildflowers of Wern-y-Cwm, take a swim in the natural pool, have a sauna or just take it easy in a hammock.

On day two, after breakfast, you’ll join a workshop hosted by Richard Holman in which we’ll explore the qualities that make great creative work great. And then through a series of group and individual exercises you’ll begin work on your own creative manifesto - an encapsulation of your personal creative values.

We’ll take lunch together in the barn - or outdoors if the sun is shining - before a guided walk up the Skirrid, a holy mountain from which 7 counties are visible when the weather is clear. Don’t worry, no ropes or sherpas are required - the Skirrid is fairly small mountain by Welsh standards and will take an hour or so to climb.

In the early evening there’ll be drinks and a talk from two inspirational artists and original thinkers Byron Vincent and Katharine Lazenby. Then we’ll round the day off with a three course meal and an opportunity to share tales late into the night around the fire pit.

On day three we’ll wrap up with a group session over brunch in which we explore ways of solving the particular creative challenge you’ve brought along with you. Creative coach Richard will offer his own insights before the group share theirs. And then, after three unforgettable days, it’ll be time to return home, rejuvenated, restored and inspired.

Where am I staying?

You’ll be staying in Wern-y-Cwm, a Grade II listed medieval farmstead with lovingly converted outbuildings and stunning gardens. It sits on the side of the Skirrid Mountain and has views across four counties. You’ll have your own luxurious room and bathroom, some of which retain original features dating back to 1570.

There’s a natural swimming pool, a firepit, hot tub, acres of meadows and gardens and the option to take a massage or a sauna, or just sit and enjoy the calm of the Welsh countryside, which is at its best in the early summer.

Anything else I should know?

The creative retreat will take place from 17th to 19th June 2025.

The nearest station is Abergavenny. And Wern-y-Cwm is 10 minutes by taxi. Taxis should be pre-booked; we can supply details of local companies. Alternatively Newport station is just 1 hour 45 minutes from Paddington and is a 40 minute taxi ride away from Wern-Y-Cwm. 

There’ll be a small amount of preparation work to do before the retreat. We’ll need you to send over a link to a piece of creative work that you admire and to tell us about a creative challenge you face.

All the activities mentioned above are included in the price, apart from the massage. If you’d like to schedule one then please let us know in advance.

How much does it cost?

The early bird price is £1250 plus VAT, and, as places our limited, we ask for a £250 non-refundable deposit.

If you have any further questions simply drop Richard a line here.