R E T R E A T Y O U R S E L F
W H E N
7 - 12 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5
It's happening. It's nearly here. We're heading off to Yorkshire for five nights of creativity and connection. Water and air. Peace and creativity. A time to unwind and just be. To turn down the volume of the arresting, rest of life and tune into whatever you're dreaming of and thinking about. We can't wait to welcome you into that energy.
​
On this webpage you'll (hopefully!) find all the information you'll need for the Retreat in September. If you have any questions though, please don't hesitate to contact Matt via Whatsapp (+44 07816027636) or by email (matthewmaude@gmail.com).
Included here too is a video from one of last year's Retreats up in the same house we're heading to in September. Huge thanks to Siddarth for giving up his time to reflect on camera his thoughts about our little world of retreating.
W H Y
We started Write Club because we felt that the price of attending writer's retreats were financially out of reach for the majority of professional writers we knew. If Bafta nominated, Emmy award winning writers couldn't afford the price of attending, who were these retreats intended for?
​
In 2018 we started looking for Airbnbs and holiday rentals that we could take over for a long weekend. Properties that were in easy reach of a train station from Brighton to Bristol, London to Leeds. We thought about the activities we'd like to do if we attended a writing retreat ourselves. Yoga, meditation, wild swimming on repeat. We lay on the catering ourselves. Three meals and snacks in between. Hot drinks and coffee on replete. A pub within close reach. Creating an environment that made writing come easily.
​
Write Club was born from this idea, and the reality of what can be achieved when groups of writers come together to focus purely on their creativity.
We're so excited to do it again with you in September.
​
W H A T
On a Write Club retreat, we try to create environments for attendees to completely unwind and untangle themselves from the pressures of day to day life.
Every morning we host meditation sessions followed by yoga classes. After a healthy breakfast we set a mini writing exercise designed to help kick start writing for the day. This can either form a writing exercise for the whole day or an introductory element to include within an attendee's book, script, proposal or project. ​
In the afternoon, weather permitting, we head out into the local wilderness to hike up hills, wild swim in waterfalls and write in nature.
We reconvene back at the house before dinner is served in the evening. Over dessert, we invite attendees to read what they wrote in response to the exercise. Congregated around a fire, we make space for feedback from the group if desired.
None of the activities are mandatory however. If you just want to focus purely on your writing in your own space, we completely understand. We're aware that everyday may bring a different energy. How you spend your time is completely flexible.
D A I L Y S T R U C T U R E
Here are the usual timings for a day on Retreat:
7:45 - 8:15 | Meditation
8:15 - 9:00 |Yoga
9:00 - 10:00 | Breakfast
10:00 - 13:00 | Setting of writing exercise and writing time
13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 - 17:30 | Wilderness writing time
17:30 - 19:30 | Writing or socialising time
19:30 - 21:30 | Dinner and readings / feedback
21:30 - 23:00 | Socialising
23:00 | Quiet Time
W H E R E
The Retreat location is up in Settle, North Yorkshire. Located in the Yorkshire Dales we've hosted two Retreats there previously and it's a beautiful corner of the world. It's also where Matt grew up, so we know where all the hidden waterfalls are hiding.
For those who like to wander, each day we'll plan a walk either a short drive away or walking from the house. For the runners amongts us - there's plenty of fells to conquer.
The house itself is a twelve bedroom mansion, full to the brim with small writing nooks and bigger socialising spaces. We'll have one quiet lounge and one noisy lounge - hopefully catering to the different introverted and extroverted energies you may have within you each day.
The grounds of the house also have within them an outside dining area, benches and tables for those that want to write in the open air.
Yorkshire can be all the weathers, so please do pack a variety of layers to cater for the potential of the Tuscan sunshines and Icelandic evenings that the North can bring. There's very little light pollution up in the Dales and the Milky Way will be on display for all to see if the skies and clear and the moon is sleeping.
M E E T
E A T
To ensure that our attendees can focus all their attention on creativity, we cater and cook all of the meals on Retreat. We've got lots of different dietaries to consider, so all of Matt's menus are either vegan or vegetarian (with a vegan option for each meal).
​
Breakfasts are served from 7AM till 10AM. Lunch from 1PM-2PM and Dinner from 7:30PM.
We'll also have plenty of healthy snacks and a constant supply of teas and coffees between meals.
Please note that the price of Retreat doesn't include alcohol, so please bring a bottle or two of something if you'd like to drink. Every other day we'll probably do a mini shop, so if you'd like to join this supermarket run, please let us know
In the last few days leading up to the Retreat, we'll be setting up a Whatsapp group for those attending. If you want to sit with people who'll also be coming to the Retreat, this will be your easiest way of congregating as you travel up the country.
If you haven't already booked your train tickets we recommend that you book with Trainline the following ticket, departing from London at 13:03 and arriving into Settle at 17:20 on Sunday 7th September. Annoying this train has a hour layover in Leeds, but whole heartedly suggest a super quick pit stop at Friends of Ham - a great beer, cheese and charcuterie hideaway. Just don't miss your connection to Settle leaving Leeds at 16:22.
Matt will meet you at Settle station at 17:20PM. It'll likely be a couple of trips ferrying peoples and luggage between the station and the house but it's only a five minute trip. Thanks in advance for those willing to Settle Down at the station for a bit longer.
​
On arriving into the house, come into the kitchen for a welcoming drink, before we do room allocation, a refresh break, welcoming circle and then dinner.
For departure, we have to check out of the house at 10AM on Friday 12th September. For those that want to get back to London early, there's a a 7:27 that leaves Settle that gets back to London at 11:00. For those that don't mind arriving later, we recommend booking the 10:02 departing from Settle, arriving back into London at 14:01.
​
​
​
​
P A C K I N G L I S T
-Writing materials and laptop / tablet
- A piece that you’re writing and might like to build on (this is not compulsory)
- Warm and light clothes in case of weather shift with a coat that is windy / waterproof
- Towels (recommend packing two bigs one)
- Shampoo, conditioner and soaps / shower gels
- Hair Dryer
- Enough clothes for five nights (there is no laundry facility we are allowed to access onsite)
- An iron if creasy clothes aren't your thing
- A pair of walking boots / outdoors-ey shoes
- Running shoes - if that’s your thing
- Swimsuit for wild swimming (and warm layers to bring core temperature up after the dip)
- Yoga mat (if you can’t get hold of one - message Susanna)
- Yoga clothes
- Hot water bottle. The house is centrally heated so not necessary - just for those that like to be cosy!
- Skill swap item or play idea (by no means mandatory! E.G. Suse is bringing Tarot cards)
- Games if you have a favourite one and want to play
- A karaoke song of choice… (again - not mandatory!)
- Any meds you might need - hay fever tablets?
- A happy disposition / A joyful countenance
- Any alcohol that you might like to have with you.
A N Y Q U E S T I O N S ?
If you have any questions that aren't answered here. Please don't hestitate to reach out. We cannot wait to Reteat with you.