COURSES & RETREATS
Online or in-person, from one hour to five weeks – find inspiration, support, and transform your writing with Arvon’s courses for every writer, in every genre.
WHAT IS AN ARVON COURSE?
In-person or online
Whatever the setting, online or at our historic writing houses in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire, Arvon is home to your imagination.
Nurturing
and advice
Be supported by expert tutors to help you explore and develop your writing. Hone your craft with workshops, 1-1 tutorials, readings and Q&As.
Time and
space to write
Step away from your normal routine and immerse yourself in the creative process without distractions. The perfect way to let your writing off the leash.
Community
of writers
Encouragement, support and fellowship from a group of writers. You’ll inspire one another while learning from today’s leading authors.
DISCOVER OUR RANGE
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMME
Live as a writer in one of our houses in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire.
Residential Writing Courses and Tutored Retreats give you time and space to write, nurtured by two expert tutors. Experience the transformative power of Arvon, surrounded by beautiful scenery and a supportive group of up to 16 peers.
ARVON AT HOME
Our online programme of activities will help you find inspiration and keep writing, no matter the setting.
Writing Weeks, Short Courses, Evening Courses, Masterclasses, Saturday Writing Club and Arvon 1-1s, all accessible from the comfort of your sofa, delivered via Zoom.
CLOCKHOUSE RETREATS
Give your writing the time at space it deserves at The Clockhouse in Shropshire.
Your own private apartment at our dedicated Writers Retreat, with bedroom, study, en-suite bathroom, and all food provided, for six-day and four-day writing retreats.
MASTERCLASS ON-DEMAND
Bring your words to life in a two-hour recorded workshop led by today’s finest writers.
Explore our back catalouge of Masterclasses, ready to watch on-demand, and come away with new words on the page, new techniques and a boost of creativity.
FIND A COURSE BY TYPE
Residential Writing Course
Residential Retreat (Tutored)
Residential Retreat (No Tutors)
Online Writing Week
Online Writing Month
Online Writing Day
Masterclass
Residential Writing Course
Residential Writing Courses take place at our houses in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire and span a range of genres. You'll work closely with two tutors, each week consisting of workshops, one-to-one tutorials and evening readings. You’ll have time and space to write, and plenty of support. Long after you leave, your creativity will grow.
Mar 16-21
Totleigh Barton
Residential Writing Course: Fiction
Drawing from myth and history
Mar 23-28
Lumb Bank
Writers’ Retreat at Lumb Bank
Time and space to write
Mar 30-Apr 4
The Hurst
Residential Writing Course: Advanced Non-Fiction
Creating writing that truly matters
Apr 6-11
Lumb Bank
Writers’ Retreat at Lumb Bank
Time and space to write
Apr 13-18
Lumb Bank
Residential Writing Course: Non-Fiction
Ways to craft true stories
Apr 13-18
The Hurst
Residential Writing Course: Advanced Fiction
The power of voice and character
Apr 20-25
The Hurst
Residential Writing Course: Poetry and Memoir
Truth and lyricism
Apr 20-23
Lumb Bank
Short Course: Fiction
A sense of place
May 2-9
The Hurst
Residential Arvon Plus: Non-Fiction
Blurring the boundaries
May 4-9
Totleigh Barton
Tutored Retreat: Fiction
Finding your way in fiction
May 4-9
Lumb Bank
Residential Writing Course: Starting to Write Fiction and Non Fiction
Begin your writing project with curiosity, confidence and courage
May 11-16
Lumb Bank
Residential Writing Course: Writing a Novel
The oxygen of fresh ideas
May 11-16
Totleigh Barton
Writers’ Retreat at Totleigh Barton
Time and space to write
May 11-16
The Hurst
Residential Writing Course: Poetry
Summoning our Ancestors
May 18-23
Lumb Bank
Residential Writing Course: Landscape, walking and eco-poetics
Writing the Earth
May 18-23
The Hurst
Residential Writing Course: Audio Drama
Bring your audio drama to life
Residential Retreat (Tutored)
Our residential tutored retreats are designed to allow you the time and space to focus on your writing from our houses in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire. Tutored retreats allow you plenty of self-guided writing time without workshops. You'll benefit from one-to-one tutorials with your tutors in the afternoons and a guest on Wednesday.
View CoursesResidential Retreat (No Tutors)
Mar 23-28
Lumb Bank
Writers’ Retreat at Lumb Bank
Time and space to write
Apr 6-11
Lumb Bank
Writers’ Retreat at Lumb Bank
Time and space to write
May 11-16
Totleigh Barton
Writers’ Retreat at Totleigh Barton
Time and space to write
Jun 15-20
Lumb Bank
Lumb Bank Writing Retreat with Yoga
Stretch your creative muscles
Dec 7-12
Lumb Bank
Writers’ Retreat at Lumb Bank
Time and space to write
Online Writing Week
Capturing the transformative power of a traditional Arvon week, you’ll experience a week of workshops, one-to-ones, social gatherings and readings delivered live by two Arvon tutors online. You’ll connect with a small group of fellow writers and unleash your imagination, all from the comfort of your own home.
Apr 20-24
Online
Online Writing Week: Poetry
Poetry and narrative
Jun 15-19
Online
Online Writing Week: Fiction
Tending Your Novel - a gentle bootcamp
Jul 13-17
Online
Online Writing Week: Nature and Eco-Poetry
Beauty versus Beast: nature and eco-poetry for a real, imperfect world
Online Writing Month
Perfect if you want to commit time to your writing but can only manage a couple of hours a week. Our Online Writing Months unpacks our popular 5-day Online Writing Week over a month of evening classes. You’ll have a weekly workshop, one-to-one tutorials, socials and How I Write sessions. You will develop a network of fellow writers and give your writing a transformational boost.
Apr 6-28
Online
Online Writing Month (evening): Fiction
How to Finish your Novel by Christmas
May 7-28
Online
Online Writing Month (daytime): Creating a Poetry Collection or Pamphlet
The road you pave with poems
Jun 1-23
Online
Online Writing Month (evening): Memoir
From raw material to crafted narrative
Oct 1-22
Online
Online Writing Month (daytime): Poetry and Memoir
Shaping lived experiences into writing that connects
Online Writing Day
Need a boost while you tackle your latest writing project? These one-day courses are aimed at writers who already have a work in progress, or a current working practice and would like a concentrated bolt of creative inspiration. Delivered live via Zoom and recorded for you to watch back later.
Mar 13
Online
Online Writing Day: Non-Fiction
Getting stuck and unstuck
Apr 17
Online
Online Writing Day: Fiction
Finding clarity
May 8
Online
Online Writing Day: Non-Fiction
Structuring your non-fiction project
Jun 26
Online
Online Writing Day: Fiction
Playing with language, playing with form.
Masterclass
Two-hour online creative writing workshops delivered live by acclaimed writers. With a mix of reading, discussion, and writing exercises, you’ll get new words onto the page, tighten your technique, and become the writer you were meant to be. You can also access an on-demand back catalogue of past Masterclasses.
Mar 10
Online
Masterclass: the Indestructible Sonnet
Mastering poetry's most famous form
Mar 24
Online
Masterclass: Non-Fiction
Making true stories sing
Mar 27
Online
Masterclass: Comedy
The comedy toolkit
Mar 31
Online
Masterclass: Fiction
Have you got a novel in you?
Apr 14
Online
Masterclass: Non-Fiction
Fundamentals of Memoir
Apr 24
Online
Masterclass: The Art of Transportive Fiction
Learning to daydream
Apr 28
Online
Masterclass: Podcasting
Fundamentals of Podcasting
May 5
Online
Masterclass: Linked Poems
A serial feeling
May 19
Online
Industry Insight Session: Steps to Publication
Everything you need to know about getting published
May 29
Online
Masterclass: The Pull of the Short Story
Quick-draw fiction
Jun 5
Online
Masterclass: Non-Fiction
Bring voice and structure to writing the landscape
Jun 19
Online
Masterclass: The Power of Story
A lightning guide to story structure
Jun 23
Online
Masterclass: Bringing the Personal into your Non-Fiction
Using lived experience and undercover research to enhance your writing
Aug 4
Online
Masterclass: Autofiction
Reimagining life on the page
Oct 2
Online
Masterclass: Ecopoetry
Poems of the earth
Nov 17
Online
Masterclass: Fiction
Finding your voice
FIND A COURSE BY GENRE
Fiction
Poetry
Non-Fiction
Starting to Write
Children & YA
Screenwriting
Theatre
Other
Fiction
Our famous residential fiction writing courses, held in remote countryside locations. Tutored by leading authors including Mark Haddon, Sunjeev Sahota and Kamila Shamsie. Long after you leave, your creativity will grow.
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Poetry
Our poetry courses begin with a warm welcome, give inspirational support, and end with transformation. Since 1968, our poetry courses have supported and inspired writers of all kinds.
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Starting to Write
Build your writing confidence in a supportive environment, led by experts. We offer Starting to Write courses in specific genres and more general Starting to Write courses that include both fiction and poetry writing. Starting to Write courses include workshops and one-to-one tutorials.
View CoursesChildren & YA
Our range of courses and retreats aimed at writing for younger audiences – from picture books and children’s fiction, to YA fiction – will leave you feeling inspired, having made progress on your writing.
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Screenwriting
Many writers who have been on Arvon’s TV and Film courses go on to have their work produced. There are in-depth workshops each morning, personal feedback on your script in one-to-one tutorials, chances to share your work and ask industry experts questions in the evening, lots of writing time and opportunities for creative inspiration.
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Theatre
Our theatre and playwriting courses are the perfect environment to release imaginative potential. On these courses you will benefit from the support of accomplished playwrights, plenty of time to write, workshops and tutorials.
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Other
We like to keep things interesting at Arvon, and these courses don’t fit into a box. From writing for wellbeing and preparing for publication, to hybrid writing and nature writing, these courses are as unique as your imagination.
View CoursesGRANTS & CONCESSIONS
Grants are available for writers who are unable to afford our full course fees and would otherwise be unable to attend an Arvon week. We offer two grants: a low income grant and a teachers grant. We also offer concession pricing on Arvon courses and events, with a generous eligibility criteria.
IN THE PRESS
