Writing Retreats

Time to write, think, connect with writers, eat well, swim & catch up with yourself <3

Gain time to write & escape domestic distractions.

Connect with other writers and find renewed clarity, confidence, and momentum in your writing.

2025 retreats

September 16th - 20th 2025 (4 nights). Bungay, Suffolk. (FULL)

November 12th - 16th 2025 (4 nights). Bungay, Suffolk. Details here. (1 spot left)

2026 retreats

March 23rd - 27th 2026 (4 nights). Bungay, Suffolk.

About the retreat

I’ve essentially created my dream writing retreat, with: gentle structure, fantastic cooking, a beautiful peaceful location, connection with other writers, and plenty of spaces to work. Plus, amenities a writer needs: wifi, small writing desks & table lamps in each room, a printer and paper for works-in-progress, and extension leads for snaking laptop cords. A rolltop bath to soak in with a paperback.

The house is a large, light-filled former mill, backing onto a river suitable for swimming. The house has many stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.

Despite being in a small hamlet, there’s a great bougie coffee shop right opposite the house. The retreat also includes one optional group riverside sauna session.

What previous attendees say

Rebecca May Johnson: “Stevie’s retreat had a huge impact on the progress for my next book.

Having the burden of domestic work taken away free-d up time and energy and headspace to do research that helped me move my book forwards in ways I’d been wanting to for months.

I felt so rested and well fed by Henry’s delicious and nourishing cooking I never wanted to leave! I cannot emphasise enough how restorative this retreat was – the kind of re-set that improves your overall wellbeing long after you’ve left.”

Hannah Jane Walker: “I finally decided to put time into the idea that was insisting on itself and I signed up to go to Stevie's writing retreat.

I wrote 23,000 words whilst there and doubled the manuscript. I had no idea there were so many hours in the day when not truncated by the school run or meal prep or keeping a house running.

Stevie created a space for us to do what we needed, in the way that we needed to do it. It was such a thrill to have the space to write and to be looked after while doing so.

It is a rare thing to be able to create real space and invitation for others, but Stevie is really good at it. It is all done with a light-touch.

Whilst on the retreat I met some amazing other writers, and realised how much I enjoy the company of other writers.
Also, I figured out the ending of my novel!”

Want to hear about 2026 retreats when they’re announced?

What will we be eating?

Meals are cooked by Henry Anderson Brown. Henry is formerly of top restaurants like Quo Vadis, Terroirs, Bar Buvette and The Steam Packet in Norwich; which won Restaurant of the Year at the Norfolk magazine Food & Drink Awards 2024.

Henry’s style of cooking is honest, joyful and delicious. It’s good, nourishing food that’s relaxed in presentation. It’s a great foil (rather than the starring role) to conversations over dinner.

Breakfast
Help yourself, buffet-style, from a selection like this: boiled eggs, granola, milk & oat milk, yoghurt, toast & jam, fresh fruit.

Tea breaks
Homemade cake, tea, coffee & decaf options and fresh fruit are available for all-important writing snack breaks.

Lunch
We will meet for buffet-style lunch – you can expect hearty soups, big fun salads, sourdough sandwiches and tarts.

Dinner
For our evening meal, we might eat pizza (cooked in the garden pizza oven), stews, pasta, pies, big salads, pilaf rice. Oh, and something nice for pudding.

Dietary needs are catered for sensitively, with Henry designing a menu according to participants’ needs – no joyless alternatives! BYO alcohol & 0% options.

This retreat probably isn’t for you, if:

• You want to learn about writing or take workshops – this is a self-guided retreat to focus on independent writing.

• You’re seeking structure through group activities. 

• You’d like formalised feedback or critique on your writing. There may be informal opportunities to share work, but this will be guided by the needs of the group and isn’t the focus of this retreat. 

• You’re looking for a booze fest. Everyone is welcome to bring & enjoy alcohol but this is not meant to be a boozy retreat or atmosphere. Please be sensitive to the fact that not everybody drinks.