September 25th - September 27th 2026
Woodfords Writing Retreat
A 3-Day Masterclass for Memoirists and Essayists in a Woodland Hideaway with Hannah Murray – the Sunday Times Bestselling Author of The Make-Believe.
Application Deadline:
August 28th, 2026
A 3-Day Masterclass for
Memoirists & Essayists
Our most personal stories can be difficult to tell. Creatively, emotionally, and technically, memoir and personal essays present the writer with unique challenges. The Sussex Non-Fiction Studio’s Woodfords Writing Retreat offers you a dedicated space for creative focus, with hours of independent writing time, freedom from the demands of daily life and expert guidance in the craft of personal narrative.
The Sunday Times bestselling memoirist Hannah Murray – author of The Make-Believe – knows the challenges that non-fiction writers face. Through this unique retreat Hannah hopes to teach you the key lessons she has learned, to enrich and bolster your writing journey and to emphasise the pleasures and rewards inherent in writing about your own life.
Over three days you will be taught by Hannah in a small group environment, secluded within the peaceful woods of Sussex and free from the obligations of your daily routine. The retreat is strictly limited to eight participants for a focused and intimate teaching environment. Each day will include an hour-long morning warm-up session to kickstart your writing day, while afternoons will be dedicated to going deep into a key area of the craft of personal narrative in a three-hour group workshop. During the retreat you will also receive one hour-long one-to-one session with Hannah, where she will provide in-depth feedback on up to 2,500 words of your work and discuss your goals for your project and/or your writing in general.
There will be ample time to dedicate yourself to your independent writing work, as well as opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside.
All meals are provided, allowing you to focus purely on your story, your writing and your craft.
What’s Included
Woodland Cabin Accommodations
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4 nights’ accommodation
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Choice of private or shared cabins
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Larger private cabins have a desk for writing
Delicious
Meals
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4 dinners – Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
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3 lunches – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
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4 breakfasts – Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Writing Intensive Sessions
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3 Mornings: 1-hour group writing warm-up with Hannah – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
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3 Afternoons: 3-hour group afternoon writing workshop with Hannah – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
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1 One-on-One: 1-hour feedback session on your writing with Hannah – to be scheduled during independent writing time/free time over the three days.
Cabin Options & Pricing
Pricing includes accomodations, meals and
writing sessions.
Large: £975
Large cabins come equipped with a double bed and a table and chair, allowing you to have your own private writing space over the weekend.
(4 spaces available)
Medium: £850
Medium cabins have a double bed but no writing facilities. We have plenty of communal areas you can use for your independent writing time.
(2 spaces available)
Shared: £700
Our large shared cabin has two double beds separated with a privacy screen. There are no writing facilities in the shared cabin, but we have plenty of communal areas for your independent writing time.
(2 spaces available)
August 28th, 2026
Application Deadline:
8:00am to 9:00am
Breakfast
Schedule
Arrival time from 5pm on Thursday, September 24th. Departure time by 11am on Monday,
September 28th...
Daily Agenda
9:00am-10:00am
Morning Warm-Up Writing Session
Independent Writing Time
10:00am-1:00pm
1:00pm-2:00pm
Lunch
2:00pm-5:00pm
Afternoon Workshop
5:00pm-7:00pm
Free Time
Dinner
7:00pm-8:00pm
Your Hosts
Hannah and Jess became friends back in 2008, while studying English together at Cambridge University. Their shared passion for reading and writing inspired their dream of running a retreat. They are thrilled to be offering the Woodfords Writing Retreat in Sussex in September 2026.
Your Teacher
Hannah Murray
Hannah worked as an actor for over a decade, before an extraordinary life experience drew her into writing. Her memoir The Make-Believe was published in May this year to great critical and commercial success. Hannah has an MA in Creative Non-Fiction from the University of East Anglia and a BA in English from Cambridge University.
Your Host
Jess Jennings
With an academic background in Literature and Anthropology, Jess has extensive experience documenting and interpreting diverse voices and perspectives. She is currently writing a non-fiction book about Sussex Bonfire Societies and is also developing a recipe book centred on fresh, adaptable food.
Your Space
Woodfords is an extraordinary creative space sculpted by master wood carver Johnny Woodford. Each of the unique cabins draws inspiration from natural forms and blends this with contemporary design. Nestled amongst beautiful self-seeded oaks, the space is tranquil and enchanting, and boasts myriad nooks for solitary and group writing. The accommodation embraces a simple back-to-nature ethos. The cabins and surrounding areas have minimal lighting and electricity, and no heating apart from stove fires in some areas. Guests will be provided with extra blankets, a hot water bottle and torch each, but are strongly encouraged to bring plenty of warm layers, along with any additional comforts they may wish to have during their stay.
Submit below to be considered.
Application Form
We are hoping to create a cohesive group of writers who have similar goals and so we would like to know about your relationship/experience with writing, what you are hoping to get out of the retreat, and to see a short writing sample (please upload as PDF or Word document). Our application deadline is Friday, August 28th. You will be notified if you have received a place or not by Friday, September 4th.
We look forward to receiving your application!
FAQs
How do I get there?
For those arriving via public transport the nearest train stations are Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill. If you wish to drive then parking is available on site. More detailed directions will be given after applications have been accepted.
Do I need to be an experienced writer?
We encourage writers of all experience levels to apply. Your relationship with writing and what you hope to get out of the retreat are just as important as your writing sample. We hope to offer a teaching experience that a wide variety of writers can benefit from - though it is important to note that personal non-fiction (memoir and essays) will be the focus of the Woodfords Writing Retreat.
What if I have dietary requirements?
We can cater for any dietary requirements, provided we are given details of these by Friday 11th September. Details on how to submit dietary requirements will be provided when you are notified of acceptance onto the retreat. Please clearly specify any allergy that requires separated food preparation.
Will there be other activities available?
We encourage guests to use this time to focus on writing. There will be some optional light activities offered on the premises and in the surrounding area outside of writing sessions.
Will I have my own bathroom?
Showers and toilets are all shared and guests are warned that toilets may be a fair walk away from their cabin. Guests are advised to bring slip-on shoes to wear when walking around the grounds.
When will I know if I have been accepted?
Our application deadline is Friday, August 28th. You will be notified if you have received a place or not by Friday, September 4th.
Is smoking or vaping allowed?
Smoking is cautiously allowed, only within the designated area. Guests are asked to exercise extreme care if smoking given the unusually dry summer has left the grass and trees in the surrounding area dangerously dry. Guests are also asked to exercise consideration for other guests when vaping.
Will there be indoor areas for writing?
The majority of the retreat will be conducted in open air conditions, with ample covered spaces. There are indoor and outdoor spaces for writing, and guests are advised that except for wood stoves these are unheated. Please bring plenty of layers for comfort. In case of adverse weather, the writing sessions and meals will relocate to the main house.
Is there WiFi at the retreat?
The cabins and shared spaces themselves at Woodfords are not equipped with WiFi - which we hope will encourage you to switch off from digital distractions. But WiFi (and charging facilities) will be available in the location's main house from 7am-10pm.
Will I have to share my writing with the group?
There is no group workshopping element. Your private writing stays private, and will only be shared with Hannah to receive her one-to-one feedback.
Is alcohol served at the retreat?
Wine and beer will be available from 6pm. There will be enough for a couple of glasses per person per evening, and guests are invited to bring their own if they would like more.
