You have a story to tell…

… just need time, space and a little encouragement to write it?

One of our 5-day independent retreats may be just what you’re looking for.

What’s included?

  • 4 night’s self-catered accommodation in one of our cabins, with your own bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and dining area.

  • Writer’s Welcome Bag: A Starcroft Farm Cabins tote bag filled with lovely treats to kick-start your writing retreat, including a prescription from The Poetry Pharmacy and OnlyCoco chocolate

  • A book gift, hand-picked according to your interests by our award-winning local bookseller (Rother Books was just awarded best bookshop in Sussex!)

  • 1-hour one-to-one with writing coach Joanna Norland, for focused support and encouragement at the beginning of your retreat

  • 30-minute chair massage with Mollie Florence Holistics, helping you loosen up midweek for more writing

  • A guided woodland walk, cake break and an evening round the bonfire

Each of our cabins also comes with the following as standard:

  • Wifi

  • Complimentary Sussex Tea and Bird & Wild coffee to help power long writing sessions

  • Luxury, natural toiletries by WiDEye and Handmade by Juliette

Optional extras include:

  • A Big Battle Breakfast hamper

  • Delicious evening meals prepared at our local farm shop

  • More treatments with Mollie

  • More coaching sessions with Jo

2024 Dates

New Year Retreat - January 15 to 19

Spring Retreat - March 18 to 22

Late Spring Retreat - May 13 to 17 FULLY BOOKED*

Summer Retreat - June 10 to 14 FULLY BOOKED*

Autumn Retreat - September 23 to 27 FULLY BOOKED*

*New* Late Autumn Retreat - November 11 to 15 2 spaces left!

*Email us if you’d like to be added to our waiting list, and first to know about any new dates.

Price: £560

Secure your place with a 30% deposit of £168 (full balance to be paid 6 weeks before the retreat begins).

Cabins are booked on a first come, first served basis.

Please note:

We reserve all of the cabins in the calendar for retreats, so please email us for availability rather than trying to book through the site.

Can’t make these dates? 

You can book a self-led writing break with us at any time. Simply book a stay, then email us to let us know how we can best tailor the experience to you. Sessions with our writing coach Jo and treatments with our massage therapist Mollie can be arranged, subject to their availability, along with other lovely extras.

Why come on a writing retreat at

Starcroft Farm Cabins?

Starcroft Farm Cabins have been built with writers in mind. Each of our three hideaways is completely self-contained, with everything you need for a comfortable stay. They are unique creative spaces, adorned with specially commissioned art, a curated shelf full of books and vintage curios that act as writing prompts… plus two writing desks!

Choose from one of three cabins - Matilda, Catherine or Lucy, each inspired by a different era of women’s history. Lucy, for instance, channels the spirit of the bohemians whose creativity was nourished by Sussex landscapes in the 1920s, including Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group. While Catherine celebrates the pioneering women explorers and gardeners of the Victorian era, such as travel writer Anna Brassey and botanist Marianne North.

Here’s what some of our past retreat guests have said…

‘Couldn’t recommend more highly. Truly inspiring and restorative beyond belief.’ - Robin, January 2024

‘I have written over 10,000 words in four days. It’s given me space to focus… a wonderful creative bubble.’ - Melissa, November 2023

‘I couldn’t have wished for a more calming, inspiring and productive place.’ - Cate, September 2023

Location

Our cabins are in a peaceful meadow in the High Weald AONB, 40 minutes on foot along the scenic 1066 Country Walk to the historic town of Battle. In Catsfield village itself, Great Park Farm Shop & Cafe, The White Hart pub and village shop are all within walking distance.

The arty towns of Hastings, Rye and Lewes, which all have wonderful independent cafes, boutiques and bookshops, are all a short drive away, as are the beaches of Bexhill and Camber Sands if you need some sea air to rejuvenate the soul.

Some famous writers’ homes to visit near us include Monk’s House, Virginia Woolf’s Sussex bolthole, and Sissinghurst, where you can see Vita Sackville-West’s writing tower.

Don’t drive? Don’t worry! Battle station is less than 90 minutes by train from central London, and from there the cabins are just a 5-minute taxi ride away.

How to book

Email us at hello@starcroftfarm.co.uk to let us know which retreat you’d like to come on and if you have a cabin preference.

Please do get in touch with any questions too!