The Creative Retreat

What is the creative retreat?

The creative retreat is a place to rejuvenate and revitalise your creativity. 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 (pictured above) 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 beneath starlit skies 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; maybe you feel like you've stalled or become stuck in a rut.

Similarly, if your confidence has taken a hit, or your creative demons have been even more bothersome than usual, 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 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 a fairly small mountain by Welsh standards and will take an hour or so to walk up. It’s in the image at the top of this page.

In the early evening there’ll be drinks and a talk from two inspirational artists and original thinkers - wordsmith Byron Vincent and multi-disciplinary artist Katharine Lazenby. They’ll entertain you with a conversation about creativity from an alternative point of view. 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. 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, recently voted one of the top 10 best retreat locations in the UK. It sits on the side of the Skirrid Mountain (see top image) 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 - 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. The retreat venue is just 10 minutes away by taxi. Alternatively Newport station is just 1 hour 45 minutes from Paddington and a 40 minute taxi ride to Wern-Y-Cwm. We’re happy to arrange your pick up from the station.

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 - if you book before March 1st - is £1250 (plus VAT if you’re a UK resident).

From March 1st the price will be £1650 (plus VAT if you’re a UK resident).

As places are limited, we ask for a £200 non-refundable deposit.

If you have any further questions just drop Richard a line.