Frequently Asked Questions About My Writing and Digital Detox Retreats

Yes. Many participants come to the retreat at the very beginning of their writing journey.

Some people arrive with a clear project they want to work on, while others come simply with a curiosity about writing and a desire to explore what might emerge on the page. The workshops are designed to meet people wherever they are in their process, and there is no expectation that work is polished or complete.

The most important thing is simply a willingness to show up, write, and engage with the experience.

Each retreat hosts up to 14 participants.

Keeping the group small helps create a calm and supportive atmosphere while still allowing space for meaningful conversation and connection. Many participants find that the small group size helps foster a sense of community while still leaving plenty of room for quiet and solitude.

Yes. Most retreat participants come on their own, and we actively encourage this.

Coming alone often helps people step more fully into the retreat experience. Without the usual roles and routines of everyday life, many people find it easier to settle into the rhythm of writing, reflection, and rest.

Although participants arrive independently, the small group size and shared experience naturally create a warm and supportive atmosphere. By the end of the retreat, many people feel they have formed meaningful connections while still having had plenty of space for solitude.

Yes, very much so. Many participants use the retreats to work on academic writing, research projects, or longer-form pieces.

We encourage downloading any reading or research materials in advance, as the retreat asks everyone to take part in the digital detox and work offline.

Yes. The retreat follows a clear structure but is intentionally flexible. There is space to move, rest, step out, or engage in ways that work for you.

If you have specific needs or questions, you are very welcome to contact Holly in advance.

The venue does not have step-free access. However, all workshops and meals take place on the ground floor, and there are two private bedrooms available on the ground floor.

The shared communal living and writing space is located upstairs and is accessed via one flight of approximately 15 stairs.

If you have access needs or questions and are unsure whether the retreat will be suitable for you, please feel very welcome to contact Holly in advance to discuss this.

New retreat dates are released throughout the year, and places often fill quickly.

The best way to stay informed is to join the mailing list, where new retreats are always shared first.

The retreats are designed as a digital detox. We encourage you to hand in your phone on arrival. There will always be an emergency contact number that loved ones can use if they need to reach you urgently.

Laptops are welcome for writing, but there is no WiFi available during the retreat.

If you have specific circumstances that require access to your phone, please let us know in advance and we can discuss what might work best.

Yes. Walks along the coast, swims in the sea, and time spent outdoors are a wonderful part of the retreat experience, and we strongly encourage them.

However, we ask retreatants not to go into the nearby town during the retreat. The intention is to create a contained environment where everyone can step away from everyday life and fully enter the slower rhythm of the retreat.

Most people find that staying within the retreat space helps deepen the sense of focus, community, and creative immersion.