Ashley Court, Devon, January 9-11, 2026
In early January, when it seems all of England was covered in a surprising blanket of snow, people travelled from all over Britain to warm their artistic souls inside at Ashley Court, where a different kind of beauty took place—the kind of event that restores faith in what becomes possible when exceptional artists, generous hosts, curious writers, and timeless beauty converge.
I was delighted to welcomed to host the inaugural Retreat into the Devon Countryside, a three-day immersion in narrative nonfiction craft held at one of Devon’s beautiful historic estates. Despite inclement weather, people travelled from throughout the country, drawn by the promise of world-class instruction, creative fellowship, and the opportunity to work in a setting of rare beauty.
“Everything you did for us was so thoughtfully and generously arranged and the whole weekend was a masterclass in craft and motivation,” wrote Angela, in a handwritten letter to me.
A Devon Writing Retreat Like No Other: Music, Literature, and Magic
The retreat featured two distinguished guest artists whose contributions elevated the gathering beyond conventional retreat-workshop expectations.
Jon Boden, acclaimed folk musician and former frontman of Bellowhead whom I first heard live at the Sidmouth Folk Festival, arrived with his concertina and guitar. Discovering Ashley Court’s magnificent 19th-century grand piano, he filled the historic rooms with both planned performances and spontaneous music that ranged from traditional folk ballads to his own compositions. We heard the transcendent quality of Jon’s tenor voice in the intimate acoustics of Ashley Court’s drawing room, surrounded by tall ceilings and candles. He played a few of my favourites including “Bold Sir Rylas” and “Days Gone By” which nearly brought tears to my eyes.
Rob Cowen, award-winning nature writer and author of The North Road, The Heeding, and Common Ground, delivered masterful lectures on perspective and craft including Working with me for the fourth time, Rob moved seamlessly between words of wisdom and practical guidance, helping writers develop the observational practices essential to compelling narrative nonfiction. His teaching—generous, precise, and deeply inspiring—gave participants tools they could apply immediately to their own work. His after-dinner talk focused on liminal and edge spaces: edges of towns and wilds, edges of genres, edges of his own life. He reflected on his unusual path into narrative nonfiction—beginning as a journalist, venturing into hybrid forms that blur memoir, reportage, poetry, and natural history, and steadily carving a voice that is both fiercely original and deeply human. He encouraged people to be bold in breaking form, to embrace the vulnerability of writing what feels urgent, and to remember that the richest nonfiction often arises not from pristine wilderness or faraway journeys, but from the overlooked places where human lives and the natural world collide.
There was no one moment of brilliance at the retreat. I enjoyed being teacher, listener, and coordinator, all with a crackling fire not far away. I enjoyed listening to peoples’ first open-mic night readings, conversing with students over meals, making sure everybody was happy, but perhaps the weekend’s most spontaneous moment arose when Rob, draped across a chaise lounge in Victorian gentleman fashion, broke into a song with Jon—voices harmonizing, guitar weaving through lyrics, creating the kind of unrehearsable magic that defines exceptional gatherings.
I also delivered lectures on narrative nonfiction technique with lectures entitled “The Personal is Political: Writing into Urgency,” “Embodied Writing: The Body as Source, Subject, and Metaphor” and “Rituals and Mindsets for a Successful Writing Year.”
Devon’s Most Intimate Writing Retreat Venue: Ashley Court
The retreat’s success owed much to the extraordinary hospitality of Tara and Nigel, who opened Ashley Court—their private historic home and garden—with wonderful warmth and grace.
Their generosity extended far beyond providing beautiful spaces. From vegetarian meals prepared with produce from their own gardens to thoughtful details throughout the house to their genuine interest in every participant’s wellbeing, Tara and Nigel created an atmosphere of abundance that allowed attendees to feel less like paying guests and more like welcomed friends. They embodied what it means to be stewards of a historic place: sharing it generously, allowing it to come alive with voices, music, and creative work.
Narrative Nonfiction Writing Workshop: The Writers Who Attended
Participants came prepared to be inspired, share, and reflect. Each brought projects in various stages—memoirs, nature writing, cultural essays—along with questions, aspirations, and deep commitment to the craft of narrative nonfiction. Amongst those attending: a children’s book author, a conservationist working on a garden and mental health memoir, several poets, several people just stepping into the direction of writing, a farmer, fiction writers exploring narrative nonfiction, and many more.
The talks were thoughtful and generous. Between formal sessions, participants explored Ashley Court’s grounds, observing the winter landscape and historic garden at Ashley Court—its stillness, its subtle transformations. They gathered for tea, continuing conversations begun during breakout sessions and reflective writing. They stayed up talking craft and books and what it means to dedicate oneself to writing true stories beautifully, all while music and laughter filled the historic rooms.
What began as a group of strangers evolved over three days into a community of friends. When the retreat concluded, participants embraced tearfully.
The Future of Writing Retreats in the Devon Countryside: A New Tradition
This is what I hoped the Retreat into the Devon Countryside would be. A gathering that honours both craft and joy, that takes writing seriously within a joyful and supportive community where that creates space for meaningful growth within a community of depth and wonderful evening music.
The inaugural retreat has established a standard I plan to continue!
Join the Next Devon Writing Retreat
Next year’s gathering will take place April 2-4, 2027. Same venue, same wonderful Jon Boden, and a new guest speaker … to be announced! It will be a challenge to surpass this first magical convergence of place, people, music, and words, but I will try.
Stay tuned …
