CLOCKHOUSE RETREATS

Update 17th November 2022 – we have now allocated all the available grants for retreats at The Clockhouse. Some may possibly become available as a result of cancellations. If you would like to be put on a waiting list to be considered for a grant should this occur, please email grants@arvon.org

For the first time we are able to offer a small number of grants towards the cost of retreats at The Clockhouse. These awards are aimed at professional writers on a low income, and may include:

• emerging novelists, poets, playwrights and screenwriters
• those working part-time in other spheres in order to support a writing career
• published writers who have achieved recognition for their writing
• recent graduates starting their writing career

Grants of £500 are available for retreats taking place up to the end of March 2023. If you are a UK resident and are unable to afford the full price of a retreat, we encourage you to apply:

To apply for a grant, you must first book on a retreat, and then send us your completed grant application form (please see the links below for the form). We will hold a place for you while we assess your application. You do not need to pay anything to book your place. Payment will only be required once we confirm your grant application is successful.

We encourage applications from D/deaf and/or Disabled people, and factor in any additional living/support costs when considering your grant – see here for information about accessibility on Arvon courses. See here for details of our general grant fund terms and conditions.

If you’re having difficulty downloading or completing the grant application form, due to access reasons, and would like help to complete the form over the phone, please call 020 4529 4970 or email access@arvon.org and we can call you.

F W Reckitt Grant Application form (Word)

F W Reckitt Grant Application form (PDF)

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

As The Clockhouse is a retreat space we ask that you do not invite any guests into The Clockhouse during your stay there.

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