This is the first ever writing retreat to be held at White House Health & Wellbeing, although Anne-Marie and Helen have years of experience making guests welcome, at a wide range of retreats and workshops including yoga, drumming and wellness weekends.

Author and founder of Heddon Publishing, Katharine E. Smith will be your writer host for the weekend, offering the chance for one-to-one consultations if required.
Katharine says: “When I was seventeen I attended a retreat run by the Arvon Foundation and it taught me just how much I could write, given the proper circumstances. Those few days had a profound influence on me, and I still think of them now, thirty years later. I would love to be able to offer other writers this kind of experience.
Since becoming a freelance publishing professional in 2009, and setting up Heddon Publishing in 2012, I have written and published twenty novels of my own, with sales currently somewhere in the region of 200,000, as well as working with more than seventy other authors, developing and publishing their work or helping them in their own self-publishing ventures. This time in my life has also coincided with bringing up my family. It’s been busy! I often hear from people who want to write but struggle to find the time, and I have been questioned more than once about how I manage to keep Heddon Publishing going, and write and publish my own books, on top of all the usual responsibilities of family life – and how do I not get distracted by all the other things that need doing at home?
With these questions running through my mind, I have come up with what I think is the perfect theme for a retreat – Find your Focus. I really, truly understand how hard it can be to stay committed to writing, and to have confidence in your work. I also genuinely get what it’s like to have another job taking priority, as well as a busy life involving other people’s competing demands. But somehow I’ve found a way to make my books come to life and I know that if you really want to, you will be able to do this too. I would love to help you find a way to make this happen and if you join me on this retreat I will offer a number of one-to-one sessions to help you recognise and overcome the challenges which will be unique to you and your circumstances.
I was lucky enough to attend a yoga retreat at the White House and I knew straight away that it would be a perfect place for writers to step outside of their day-to-day lives, and be so well looked after, enabling them to focus on their work.”
You can book your space at the retreat here – but read on for an idea of what you can expect from the weekend…

All writers are welcome, writing any genre and at any stage of their writing career. Sometimes we just need some space and time to focus. But this retreat is especially suited to new authors or those who are finding it hard to find the time to write without distraction; this is a chance for authors who are lacking confidence to realise how much they can achieve, given the right set of circumstances.
Please bear in mind that while there are a couple of group sessions, you are under no obligation to join them and you can just dive straight into your writing if you prefer.
There are plenty of quiet spaces for solitary writing and a group room if you prefer the company of others while you work. Exclusive use of the large, cosy house and tranquil grounds are yours to explore, including the magical woodland dingle, as well as many local permissive footpaths to explore. Inspiration is guaranteed in this tranquil environment shared with all the birds and wildlife that this quiet mid-Wales hideaway encourages and enjoys.
Running from Friday 2nd May to Sunday 4th May 2025, the retreat will cost £500/£560 per person, for all accommodation, food and refreshments. Rooms are en suite or with a dedicated bathroom. There are five bedrooms available inside the house, each costing £560 per person for single occupancy. If your preference is for more of an outdoor experience, there is also the option to stay in a yurt or a pod set in the beautifully kept gardens. Both are heated and have some power for lighting etc but toilet and washing facilities are inside the main house. To stay in either the pod or the yurt will cost £500.
Prices are based on each person having their own individual room/space. If you wish to share a room please contact Katharine by email – katharine@heddonpublishing.com
There are seven single accommodation spaces available on this first retreat so act fast to express your interest. A deposit of £150 is required to secure your space. If you miss the chance to book this time round, your name can be added to a waiting list for cancellations and future retreats.
Below is an idea of how the weekend will run…
FRIDAY 2nd May
Arrive in time for afternoon tea and to find your room, look around the beautiful grounds and meet your hosts and fellow writers.
There will be a group session with Katharine, to discuss challenges and ideas relating to writing, time management, planning, etc, followed by free time in which to write, walk, get planning, or even have a little power nap knowing that in the evening a delicious dinner awaits you.

After dinner there is the opportunity to socialise but this is by no means expected. A weekend retreat is a chance for you to do as you please, so make the most of it in whichever way you prefer!
SATURDAY 3rd May
This will be the main day for writing and there will be a number of 60-90 minute sessions where you will be encouraged to lay aside any distractions (yes that means put your phone away!) and get your head down. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are provided, with hot drinks freely available all day. There will also be the option for a one-to-one session with Katharine if you have writing and planning ideas to discuss or concerns to address.
There will be plenty of downtime too, with breaks between sessions and the chance for walking or just enjoying the White House grounds. In the evening there will be more social time after dinner, if wanted.
SUNDAY 4th May
Breakfast will be followed by two writing sessions with a break in between and a further chance for a short one-to-one session with Katharine.
Lunch will be provided and followed by a chance to meet as a group once more to discuss the weekend. By this point you will have proved to yourself just how much you can do when you structure your day and set aside pure writing time.
You can head home with renewed energy and good intentions to hold onto which will help you achieve your writing aims, as well as some fantastic memories, and hopefully one or two new, like-minded friends.
You can book your space here or please feel free to email Katharine: katharine@heddonpublishing.com with any questions.