You have a story to tell…

… just need time, space and a little encouragement to write it?

Our 4-night writing retreats may be just what you’re looking for.

What’s included?

  • 4 night’s self-catered accommodation in one of our writing cabins, with your very own bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and dining area.

  • Tea and biscuits on arrival, plus delicious breakfast pastries from Great Park Farm shop to wake up to on your first morning

  • 1-hour one-to-one with writing coach Joanna Norland, for focused support and encouragement at the beginning of your retreat

  • Your choice of a prescription from The Poetry Pharmacy or a Medieval Scribe kit by Hiow-Beorht

  • 30-minute chair massage with Mollie Florence Holistics, helping you loosen up midweek for more writing

  • A book gift, hand-picked according to your interests by our award-winning local bookseller at Rother Books

  • A vase of seasonal flowers and foliage from our cut flower beds for your writing desk (subject to availability)

  • A guided woodland walk, cake break and an evening round the bonfire

Each of our cabins also comes with the following as standard:

  • Wifi

  • Complimentary Sussex Tea and Bird & Wild coffee to help power long writing sessions

  • Luxury, natural toiletries by WiDEye and Handmade by Juliette

Price: £650

Secure your place with a non-refundable 30% deposit of £195 (full balance to be paid 6 weeks before the retreat begins). Terms and conditions apply.

Optional extras include:

  • A Big Battle Breakfast hamper

  • Delicious evening meals prepared at our local farm shop

  • More treatments with Mollie

  • More coaching sessions with Jo

2025 writing retreats

New year retreat - January 20 to 24

Early spring retreat - March 24 to 28

Late spring retreat - May 12 to 16

Mid summer retreat - July 7 to 11

Early autumn retreat - September 15 to 19

Late autumn retreat - November 10 to 14

Can’t make these dates?

You can book a independent writing break with us at any time.

Simply book a stay, then email us to let us know how we can best tailor the experience to you.

Sessions with our writing coach Jo and treatments with our massage therapist Mollie can be arranged, subject to their availability, along with other lovely extras.

Why come on a writing retreat at

Starcroft Farm Cabins?

Starcroft Farm Cabins have been built with writers in mind. Each of our three hideaways is completely self-contained, with everything you need for a comfortable stay. They are unique creative spaces, adorned with specially commissioned art, a curated shelf full of books and vintage curios that act as writing prompts… plus two writing desks!

Choose from one of three cabins - Matilda, Catherine or Lucy, each inspired by a different era of women’s history. Lucy, for instance, channels the spirit of the bohemians whose creativity was nourished by Sussex landscapes in the 1920s, including Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group. While Catherine celebrates the pioneering women explorers and gardeners of the Victorian era, such as travel writer Anna Brassey and botanist Marianne North.

Here’s what some of our past retreat guests have said…

‘I have loved every moment. 100% perfect place to write and think. Being away from home I feel so much freer to focus on my creative work rather than endless housework and admin - HEAVEN!’ - Jenny, summer 2024

‘This retreat has been magical. It was just the experience I needed - it allowed me to create that space for writing that I desperately craved. I ended up writing 12k words! But more importantly, I was able to let go of the guilt I had somehow attached to the act of writing. That is worth its weight in fairy dust.’ - Amanda, autumn 2024

‘Couldn’t recommend more highly. Truly inspiring and restorative beyond belief.’ - Robin, New Year 2024

Location

Our cabins are in a peaceful Sussex meadow in the High Weald AONB. We’re a short stroll away from Powdermill Woods, and a 45-minute walk via the 1066 Country Walk from the historic town of Battle and Battle Abbey. In Catsfield itself, Great Park Farm Shop & Cafe, The White Hart pub and village shop are all within walking distance.

The arty towns of Hastings, Rye and Lewes, which all have wonderful independent cafes, boutiques and bookshops, are all a short drive away, as are the beaches of Bexhill and Camber Sands if you need some sea air to rejuvenate the soul.

Some famous writers’ homes to visit near us include Monk’s House, Virginia Woolf’s Sussex bolthole, and Sissinghurst, where you can see Vita Sackville-West’s writing tower.

Don’t drive? Don’t worry! Battle station is less than 90 minutes by train from central London, and from there the cabins are just a 5-minute taxi ride away.

How to book

Email us at hello@starcroftfarm.co.uk to let us know which retreat you’d like to come on and if you have a cabin preference.

Please do get in touch with any questions too!