Give your writing the time and space it deserves with Arvon’s dedicated Writers Retreat at The Clockhouse. Newly refurbished, it has four apartments for writers, each with bedroom, study-lounge and bathroom. All food is provided for you, so you can spend your time as you please.
Update 04/11/2020: Due to national restrictions we cannot run Clockhouse Retreats until December 2nd. You can still book for stays after December 2nd. We look forward to welcoming writers back to our houses when restrictions are lifted.
Everything in The Clockhouse has been planned to help you focus on your writing, away from day-to-day distractions. Walk in the beautiful landscape, share your triumphs and challenges with fellow writers over dinner together, or just sit at your desk and write. Whether you’re starting something new, or pushing on to finish something, make time to free your imagination with a writing retreat. Your length of stay can be six days, or four days. If you wish to stay for longer, you can book multiple retreats back-to-back, and stay on the ‘turn around day’ between retreats for free. We offer a discount for bookings of more than two consecutive six day retreats: please see details in the Prices section below. If you wish to book as a group of up to four writers, please contact us at The Hurst: thehurst@arvon.org.
Facilities include
- four comfortable, accessible, self-contained apartments, each with bedroom, study-lounge and en-suite bathroom
- cosy shared lounge with log-burner
- shared kitchen-diner with all food provided – help yourself to fresh local produce and home-cooked meals
- 26 acres of woodland, a spring-fed lake and inspiring views of the Shropshire Hills
- Wi-Fi
- easy walks to the local village with pub and shop
The first floor apartments, Mary Webb and Wilfred Owen, are at a slightly higher cost due to their exceptional views of the Clun Valley to the east, and the high level of natural light in the studies and bedrooms. If you require an accessible bathroom on the first floor due to a disability, concessions are available: please contact The Hurst.
The second floor apartments, A E Housman and Bruce Chatwin, are characterful with vaulted ceilings and timber beams. Views in these apartments are more limited.
CLOCKHOUSE APARTMENTS
Mary Webb
Wilfred Owen
A E Housman
Bruce Chatwin
We offer these apartments at an increased fee due to their exceptional views of the Clun Valley to the east, and the high level of natural light in the studies and bedrooms.
Facilities include
- Four comfortable self-contained apartments, each with bedroom, study-lounge and en-suite bathroom
- cosy shared lounge with log-burner
- shared kitchen-diner with all food provided– help yourself to fresh local produce and home-cooked meals
- 26 acres of woodland, a spring-fed lake and inspiring views of the Shropshire Hills
- Wi-FI
- easy walks to the local village with pub and shop
We offer these apartments at an increased fee due to their exceptional views of the Clun Valley to the east, and the high level of natural light in the studies and bedrooms.
Facilities include
- Four comfortable self-contained apartments, each with bedroom, study-lounge and en-suite bathroom
- cosy shared lounge with log-burner
- shared kitchen-diner with all food provided– help yourself to fresh local produce and home-cooked meals
- 26 acres of woodland, a spring-fed lake and inspiring views of the Shropshire Hills
- Wi-FI
- easy walks to the local village with pub and shop
Characterful accommodation with vaulted ceilings and timber beams. Views in these apartments are more limited.
Facilities include
- Four comfortable self-contained apartments, each with bedroom, study-lounge and en-suite bathroom
- cosy shared lounge with log-burner
- shared kitchen-diner with all food provided– help yourself to fresh local produce and home-cooked meals
- 26 acres of woodland, a spring-fed lake and inspiring views of the Shropshire Hills
- Wi-FI
- easy walks to the local village with pub and shop
Characterful accommodation with vaulted ceilings and timber beams. Views in these apartments are more limited.
Facilities include
- Four comfortable self-contained apartments, each with bedroom, study-lounge and en-suite bathroom
- cosy shared lounge with log-burner
- shared kitchen-diner with all food provided– help yourself to fresh local produce and home-cooked meals
- 26 acres of woodland, a spring-fed lake and inspiring views of the Shropshire Hills
- Wi-FI
- easy walks to the local village with pub and shop
Explore The Clockhouse centre
Learn more about the Clockhouse centre here. Take a look inside the accommodation, explore the grounds and learn more about transportation and food in our FAQ.
PRICES
2020 Fees
January – April and September – December (inclusive)
6-day retreats (Tues – Mon)
1st Floor Apartment: £765*
2nd Floor Apartment: £725*
4-day retreats (Thurs – Mon)
1st Floor Apartment: £510*
2nd Floor Apartment: £480
May – August (inclusive)
6-day retreats (Tues – Mon)
1st Floor Apartment: £795*
2nd Floor Apartment: £755*
4-day retreats (Thurs – Mon)
1st Floor Apartment: £530*
2nd Floor Apartment: £500*
* All above prices are subject to the temporarily reduced hospitality and accommodation VAT rate of 5%
2021 fees, for retreats taking place from January 2021:
6-day retreats (Mon – Sun)
1st Floor Apartment: £950*
2nd Floor Apartment: £850*
4-day retreats (Weds – Mon)
1st Floor Apartment: £630*
2nd Floor Apartment: £560*
* All above prices are subject to the temporarily reduced hospitality and accommodation VAT rate of 5%
For bookings of more than two consecutive 6-day retreats, we offer a 10% discount on the third and subsequent retreats. Please telephone The Hurst to take advantage of this offer.
BOOKING
January 2021
6 days / Mon 18 - Sun 24 Jan 2021
February 2021
6 days / Mon 01 - Sun 07 Feb 2021
6 days / Mon 08 - Sun 14 Feb 2021
4 days / Wed 17 - Sun 21 Feb 2021
6 days / Mon 22 - Sun 28 Feb 2021
March 2021
6 days / Mon 01 - Sun 07 Mar 2021
6 days / Mon 08 - Sun 14 Mar 2021
6 days / Mon 15 - Sun 21 Mar 2021
4 days / Wed 31 Mar - Sun 04 Apr 2021
April 2021
6 days / Mon 05 - Sun 11 Apr 2021
6 days / Mon 12 - Sun 18 Apr 2021
6 days / Mon 19 - Sun 25 Apr 2021
4 days / Wed 28 Apr - Sun 02 May 2021
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Booking details
- Six-day retreats at The Clockhouse are Tuesday (noon) to Monday (noon).*
- Four-day retreats at The Clockhouse are Thursday (noon) to Monday (noon)*
- The retreat fee includes full board accommodation (not including alcohol).
- To secure your place, you will need to pay a deposit of £200 at the time of booking.
- You are welcome to pay in instalments via our online booking system.
- The full balance of your retreat fee is payable no later than six weeks before the retreat starts.
- Please note that pets are not permitted.
- We do not currently offer grants for Writers Retreats.
- No guests or visitors are permitted within The Clockhouse during your stay.
- Parking is available at The Hurst. For travel details to The Hurst see here.
- The building is wheelchair-accessible throughout, with level access to all floors and a lift. There is also one apartment with a height-adjustable desk and fully accessible wet-room.
*Please note that from January 2021:
- Six-day retreats at The Clockhouse are Monday (1.30pm) to Sunday (10.00am).
- Four-day retreats at The Clockhouse are Wednesday (1.30pm) to Sunday (10.00am)
Travel to The Clockhouse
By train / taxi
There are rail connections to London, Wales, the North and South-West England from Craven Arms station, eight miles away.
The nearest station is Craven Arms, eight miles from The Hurst. It is a fairly well-serviced station on the main line between Manchester and Cardiff, with rail connections to London, the North and South-West England.
You will need to book a cab to collect you. Below are the numbers of local companies we recommend. The journey takes around 20 minutes so please bear this in mind when you are planning your trip.
Rez’s Cab – 07487 899102
Wolfcar – 01584 856690
Rocket Ron – 07890 904732
By car:
Details on how to travel to The Hurst by car can be found here. We have plenty of free car parking available at The Hurst.
Arrival & departure times
You should plan to arrive between 1.30 and 3.30pm. An Arvon staff member will give a short talk about the centre at 4pm. Please note that we are not able to receive you here at the Clockhouse before 1.30pm. Similarly, we ask you to vacate the accommodation no later than 10am on your day of departure.
Food
All your food will be provided during your stay at The Clockhouse. Please note that due to Covid19 we have changed the catering arrangements as follows:
- We provide the ingredients for simple breakfast in the apartments, along with a small fridge, and tea/coffee making facilities.
- There will be set times for lunch (1pm) and dinner (7pm) when a member of Arvon staff will be present to prepare and serve meals, and wash up afterwards. The layout of the kitchen/diner has been altered to allow for social distancing. We will provide meat, vegetarian and vegan options but for all other dietary requirements please feel free to bring what you need with you.
If you wish to drink alcohol, you can purchase wines and beers from a local wine merchant or bring your own supplies. There is also a general store in Clun, the nearest village, with a good range of alcholic drinks.
Communications
There is a reasonable mobile signal for EE and Vodafone at The Clockhouse but on other networks, the coverage varies. There is Wi-Fi available throughout the building. There are also two printers located in communal areas.
Facilities
Towels will be provided and there is a washing machine and tumble drier in The Clockhouse. The Clockhouse will be cleaned weekly, after writers have departed, and not during the period of your stay. You will have access to the 26 acres of Hurst grounds and gardens so do bring some suitable footwear.
The local area
The Hurst sits within The Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are some wonderful walks, in every direction. We will provide local maps and recommended walks.
Accessibility
The building is wheelchair-accessible throughout, with level access to all floors and a lift. There is also one apartment with a desk that can be adapted to accommodate a wheelchair, and fully accessible wet-room. Please let us know your accessibility needs on booking, and we will do our utmost to accommodate your requirements.
Guests
As The Clockhouse is a retreat space we ask that you do not invite any guests into The Clockhouse during your stay there.
Pets
We are sorry but pets are not allowed at The Clockhouse.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to be in touch either by phone or e-mail –
thehurst@arvon.org / 01588 640 658