WRITING RETREATS at CHAPELGARTH

I was lucky enough to do a writing retreat in this truly beautiful comfy house. This amzing house provides me as a PHD student to develop my individual creativity and meet new people. I never thought that writing could be enjoyable if I didn't work is this place of relaxation and peace. Thanks Chapelgarth Estate for this amazing experience.

The writing retreat at Chapelgarth was everything I had hoped for, and more. A peaceful and productive few days in the most beautiful surroundings with a wonderful group of people. My aim was to complete a chapter of my thesis and I achieved this, but I also relaxed, took walks in the countryside, spent valuable time chatting to other academics, ate healthy and delicious vegan food and shut myself off from the constant demands of work and home life. Marcella is an amazing host and a thoroughly lovely person to spend time with - she ensured that we kept to our writing times with firm but gentle guidance...and a stroke of the gong! I'm 100% ready to book my next retreat and tackle my next chapter and hope to enjoy many more writing retreats

This is an exceptional venue, way more beautiful than the (stunning!) photos on the website suggest. A group of 9 of us had a two night writing retreat. Marcella is very disciplined with the time keeping, which helps everyone get the most out of the writing, but also out of the stunning country walks and the excellent vegetarian food.

I would recommend this to all academics as a mandatory activity to carry out at least once a year.The place itself is fabulous: great atmosphere, fantastic light thtoughout thd day, rooms are gorgeous and display beautiful antique furnuture. Besides, the place is spotless.Marcella managed to set out a schedule that really works and that makes you commit to work without feeling forced, as an individual within a committed community.Very well paced, the working day offers plenty of breaks and healthy activities for the mind and body.Meals were gorgeous and during breaks you are treted to all sorts of coffee and teas and nice snacks.I was scheptical when I arrived, now I look forward to going back and not only because it was an extremely productive retreat.

My time at Chapelgarth was a precious thing. After a long and challenging lockdown, I surrendered to the special tranquility of this wonderful place, on a writing retreat. I was instantly charmed by the atmosphere of the house itself and felt so at home, so cosseted from the distractions of the outside world. I wrote every day, following the structure of the self-directed sessions. Writing was broken up with many opportunities to explore the private woodlands, see the llamas, observe the antics of the roaming hens or go on a country ramble. I found the walks were a great way to exchange views and ideas with others, though of course I could go off by myself too, if I wanted solitude. I met some brilliant people and learned a lot from them. Mealtimes at Chapelgarth are announced by a sonorous gong, which was music to my ears every time, as the vegan and vegetarian food is absolutely delicious. Marcella runs wonderfulful retreats, engenders real productivity and is the very capable Captain of this lovely ship.

I recently organized a writing retreat for my colleagues in the department, and it turned out to be an extraordinary experience that truly left a lasting impression on all participants. We were amazed by the remarkable progress we made through the structured writing sessions.Marcella, our incredible writing facilitator, designed an excellent program that seamlessly integrated these well-structured writing sessions with a diverse range of recreational activities. This unique combination allowed us to work efficiently while also providing ample opportunities for much-needed rest and rejuvenation.Moreover, the retreat provided us with a vital communal space where we could connect with one another on both personal and professional levels. It was a platform for sharing and exchanging valuable writing tips and insights. Our research endeavors were propelled forward, and we now have the necessary momentum to embrace the approaching summer with enthusiasm!

This is a stunning venue, with a location is so romantic that has far reaching views to take your breath away. Our hosts are so friendly and were available to ensure our days and evenings were filled with precious memories.The menu was varied and the food was fabulous, there was plenty of it too!The Chapelgarth is a magical place for academics and writers. My friends and I all had an amazing experiences this week.It is a extraordinary writing retreat. I would love to come back soon!

I have been on two Chapelgarth Writing Retreats now, my second was during lockdown, and I will definitely be back for more. The venue is stunning, the food excellent, and the facilitation is just enough for me to get a couple of very productive days' work done on writing projects without feeling pushy. The measures Marcella has taken to ensure retreaters stay safe during lockdown are great, and at no point did I feel nervous about being there in the current situation (and I'm 6 months pregnant!). If you are struggling to achieve the deep level of focus required for writing, I cannot recommend these retreats enough. I will be back!

Fantastic family weekendWe have just returned from Chapelgarth after a weekend away with the family for my Grandad's 80th birthday. There were 17 of us covering a range of ages along with two dogs. The house was perfect - the bedrooms were beautiful and we all appreciated the comfy beds and crisp linen. The kitchen and dining room were perfect for big family meals and were well catered for cooking large meals. The living room was spacious and we enjoyed the log fires. The nursery was a particular hit with table football and games console. We particularly enjoyed the grounds including the sunken trampoline in the garden, chickens and Llamas. I would definitely return to Chapelgarth and wouldn't hesitate recommending it to others.

The most productive, focused and inspirational 2.5 days! Thank you Marcella for cultivating such a perfect space to get focused work done whilst still enjoying being in the Yorkshire countryside. Accommodation, food and company all fantastic and I will definitely be rebooking the next opportunity I get!