Readers of the river moon
Fri, 28 August 2026 - 3 days
A three-night reading retreat shaped by books, spring-fed water, firelight and good company.
Held over the August full moon, this retreat offers time to read deeply, swim, sauna, think, talk and discover new books in a landscape of ponds, trees and old stone.
Beginning with an optional full-moon swim and sauna evening, the weekend unfolds with generous reading time, shared meals and the quiet pleasure of being among other readers.
A reading retreat shaped by books, landscape & time to slow down
Three unhurried days for books, deep reading and good company, with beautiful places to read across the site, indoors and out.
There are quiet corners everywhere: hammocks beside the ponds, the Horse Lorry Library, the walled-garden yurt, library rooms and fireside lounges for cooler hours.
This retreat is designed for people who want protected time to read, think freshly, discover new books and enjoy thoughtful conversation in a spacious natural setting.
You’ll leave having read deeply, encountered new ideas and renewed your appetite for reading.
An idyllic setting
Oakhill Ponds offers a varied and immersive landscape of water, woodland and open meadow.
Reading spaces are spread across our 25-acre site, allowing you to move between environments and settle into places that invite rest, reflection and deep reading, whether beside the water, in sheltered pavilions, or within quieter indoor spaces.
The site is intentionally simple and largely off-grid, creating the conditions for uninterrupted reading, thoughtful conversation and time away from distraction.
The details
Reading spaces
- sheltered pavilions with wood-burners
- hammocks and recliners beside the ponds
- the warm walled-garden yurt
- the Horse Lorry Library
- library rooms and open fires in the house
- fireside rooms at The Beeches for cooler hours
What’s included
- 3 nights’ accommodation
- all meals - local, seasonal, vegetarian
- celebratory supper with guest author
- shared sauna sessions
- swimming in spring-fed ponds
- a weekend shaped by clear water, old stone, firelight - and the quiet pull of books
Who it’s for
This retreat may suit you if:
- you want dedicated time to read
- you prefer spacious programmes rather than packed schedules
- you enjoy thoughtful, organic conversation
- you’re curious about books that hold depth and surprise
- you enjoy nature, firelight and (optionally) cold-water swimming and sauna
Sauna & wild swimming
- Optional full moon swim and sauna evening
- Swimming in spring-fed ponds throughout the retreat
- Time to rest, reset and reconnect with the landscape
The shape of the weekend
arrival & full moon swim
Arrive during the afternoon, settle into your accommodation and gather for supper and a brief welcome.
Later, for those who wish, join us for a full moon swim and sauna evening.
reading day & literature in the landscape
A spacious day for reading, swimming and time outdoors.
In the late afternoon we walk through the grotto, gardens and ponds, threaded with readings and stories connected to landscape, memory and place.
reading, browsing & book conversation
Another spacious reading day.
Later, we gather in the yurt for browsing and book conversation, exploring the books others in the group have brought and recommended.
In the evening we share a celebratory supper followed by conversation with a guest author.
breakfast & departure
A final morning for breakfast, last pages and farewells before departure.
The Shared Book Table
Guests are invited to bring one book that resonates with them.
Over the weekend, these books form a shared book table in the yurt - a simple, informal way to discover new reading through one another.
accommodation options
Beautifully handcrafted shepherd's huts set within 25 acres of ponds, woodland and meadow. Each has a private garden, a wood-fired hot tub, and access to our wild-swimming pond and wood-fired sauna.
Spacious canvas tents set among meadow and willow, offering a blend of comfort and off-grid living. Each includes a private outdoor kitchen, hot shower, and access to wild swimming and sauna.
A light-filled three-bedroom apartment in the village of Oakhill, with a private garden for slow mornings and evenings. A comfortable, on-grid stay with access to wild swimming and sauna nearby.
The former Oakhill Brewery country house sits at the heart of the retreat site. Arranged across several floors, with generous living spaces and a library, it offers a comfortable and characterful setting for reading, rest and creative retreat.
In a distracted culture, it is a rare pleasure to give time to reading properly.
These weekends offer the chance to immerse yourself in books, encounter new ideas, and enjoy the enlivening company of other readers in a beautiful landscape.