Hmmm

I'm looking for a writers' retreat. Not a tutored one, just somewhere I can sit round and finish drafting my novel for a bit. I'm hoping to be there for a fortnight, though that might be wishful thinking, and I'd quite like it to be somewhere hot.

My dates are quite flexible, but I'll probably want to head off some time in April or May, depending on what my work commitments turn out to be.

Anyone got any thoughts? The catch is I don't drive and I can't walk very far (long story) so although I'd like it to be out-of-the-way-ish, it would help if it wasn't up a mountain and there was a nearby village which I could trundle into occasionally, to stock up on Mars bars and human contact. (The mars bars are metaphorical, in case you were wondering.

All ideas - however barking they may seem - gratefully received.

Thanking you.

ShinyK

Hi Shiny,

I spent a couple of months in a farmhouse in the Dordogne in the autumn for just this purpose (though short stories, not a novel) and it was very reasonable. It is pretty remote. However, the neighbours, who were very helpful, have converted their barn and are expecting to let the house they were in - at a very reasonable rate off season (which you seem to be looking for). I think that they would be happy to help you around, esp if you were renting their house. If you want more details, WWmail me and I'll fill you in, including contact details for both houses.

Ani

MsLexia has places like this in the listings, and so do the TLS and London Review of Books. If you can get hold of it, so does the Soc. of Author's mag 'The Author'. I've googled 'Writer's Retreats' but they do tend to be more the ones that run courses the rest of the time, and have prices to match.

Emma

I think Arvon has a retreat option which is not taught. S

You could try googling 'holiday cottages in Portugal' or wherever you fancy going. A little apartment somewhere off season wouldn't be expensive, and if it's online they should have enough detail for you to work out whether it's suitable. The big firms will be there, but I've often seen the more net-savvy small outfits there too.

Emma

Hi ShinyK,

I went to a rereat in Spain for a week to finish my novel last summer. I stayed with an artist, Meg Robinson, who opens her house for people to retreat to for various reasons (creative, spiritual ones, people grieving and overcoming traumas, etc.) She offers creative workshops and exercises or alternative treatments if you want it, or you can just be left alone to do your own thing (as I did).

It is out in the mountains in a remote part of Spain, but she can arrange a (cheap) lift to/from Granada airport (or there are buses). Also, Meg drove out to the nearest town a few times and the offer was always open to go with her. The town is full of artistic and alternative types, most of them Brits, so there's people to chat to if you start to feel too isolated! You can be self-catering or she'll cook for you and is happy to cater for special diets (she's a fantastic cook and it's all fresh, organic local produce). It was very hot. When I wasn't writing I would go for walks in the mountains, do yoga, chat to Meg (or another couple who were there at the time) or read some of the books she had around the place (loads of interesting books on creativity and other topics that interested me).

I had 2 rooms to myself - a bedroom and a study. There was also a roof terrace and I went there and wrote a lot. Meg was also happy for me to use the rest of the house as I wanted. She was a lovely host!

It was also a very economical trip!

It was a pretty mad thing for me to do, being a born and bred Londoner, but I'd recommend it. I finished the novel and it was also a good experience on a personal level.

You can get more info here: http://www.healingartjourneys.com/workshops.htm

Cath

Cath, that looks like a very special place. I can quite see why it worked so well for you.

Emma

It's a long way (!) but Tobago would fit the bill!

Spent a very secluded couple of weeks there three years ago. You can fly direct and get a taxi from the airport to the cottages. The cottages are right on the beach and there's a little restaurant nearby that did a fine curried goat.

Don't know what the whether will be like in April \ May - but I doubt it will be cold.

DP

Cath, that place in Spain sounds fantastic. I want to live there already!

ShinyK, I know you want hot but, following on from what Shika said, if you opt to stay in this country, the Arvon centre at Lumb Banks in Yorkshire is the most wonderful spot. It’s where Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath lived – her grave is in the local cemetery – it’s peaceful, and the surrounding countryside is wonderful. I know because I live in the area.

It can get hot, depending on the time of year but, if you’re looking for inspiration in any climate, it’s spot on. (the local pubs are good too)

Dee

Me too! It's freezing here at the moment - I could do with a bit of sun to warm my creative bits (no pun intended).

Thanks, people - keep 'em coming, I'm loving this.

Spain sounds great, Tobago even better! And I will always happily consider Britain, though I have a special reason for avoiding Yorkshire, which is that my parents are in far too close proximity...

Sorry Dee!

SK

There's always the Arvon Centre at Totleigh Barton in Devon, or Moniack Mhor, if Yorkshire's altogether too close to home.

Emma

You should see the house I stayed in! Meg said she drove past it one day - this tiny village in a valley - and knew it was 'home' straight away. She bought a derelict house there for next to nothing and renovated it, learning Spanish so she could instruct the builders. The house is amazing. I took loads of pics if anyone wants to see them. And the all the Spanish villager neighbours love her and were always dropping by with bags of homegrown herbs and veg and bottles of olive oil.

Cath

Suggest you contact Society of Authors as I am sure they list things like this - and if they don't, they'll know a man who does!
Best wishes,
Beanie

Hello,

I am an American living in Scotland, and open my home to writers. There's plenty of space and privacy along with internet access.

Have a look:

www.privatescotland.com