accompanied solitude in a place of water, natural beauty and shifting light.
Step away from deadlines and distractions. Make space to write, think and listen – with long, protected hours for your work, and the steady rhythms of sauna, swim and firelight.
Some retreats at Oakhill Ponds unfold over a few days on the land; others are spacious day gatherings, sometimes with the option to stay over. You’ll see the set-up for each date clearly on the booking page.
on this page:
who they're for why reading here what's here where you will stay
at a glance
upcoming retreats
who it’s for
for new beginnings: if you’re starting a fresh project and need uninterrupted time to find its voice
for returning projects: if a draft or idea has been waiting for your attention and you’re ready to pick it up again
for the quietly serious: you don’t need to be published, just genuinely interested in giving your writing real time and space
accommodation
a mix of single and shared spaces: shepherd’s huts, lotus belle tents in an off-grid setting and, on some retreats, the Walled Garden or nearby apartment
The Beeches (selected retreats): on some dates we also open rooms in our home, The Beeches – a spacious, book-lined house with firesides, adjoining the Walled Garden and historically linked to the old Oakhill Brewery at the heart of the ponds
all spaces are warm, comfortable and quietly beautiful; retreats are intentionally small and light-touch
Whether you’re beginning something new or returning to a project that’s been waiting, Oakhill Ponds offers a setting where attention can deepen and imagination breathe. No current project is required – only curiosity and the desire to write.
what to expect
accompanied solitude: a light framework of support from a guest writer or host, through a short session or brief one-to-ones, wrapped around long stretches of protected writing time
quiet hours: an invited daily phone-free writing window to safeguard deep work (a gentle suggestion, not a rule)
elemental reset: optional wood-fired sauna and swims in clear, spring-fed ponds to clear the mind and reset the body
no pressure to share: readings and discussion are always optional – you choose how visible your work feels
a possible rhythm
Each retreat has its own shape, but a day might look like:
morning: a gentle check-in or time with a guest writer (group session or one-to-ones), then settling into your work
midday to afternoon: quiet hours for protected solo writing
late afternoon: optional sauna and swim in the ponds
evening: simple shared supper, with the option of fireside reading or gentle discussion