Frequently Asked Questions

When do the retreats take place?  Our weekend retreats run from Friday to Monday and weekday retreats from Tuesday to Friday.  Check out Retreats page now.

What happens at a Reading Retreat?  From the moment you arrive we will look after you - we want to ensure that all you have to think about is which book to read next. You arrive in the late afternoon to be met by a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a pot of tea, and homemade cake - before we show you to your comfortable room. We can include a Reading Prescription, but you are of course welcome to bring any titles you'd like to read, and we also have a small library on hand.  Supper will be served  - a three course home cooked meal - where we can all discuss books to our hearts' content - or we can do you a supper tray if you can't tear yourself away from your book.  Breakfast the next day will be served usually between 8am and 10am, with hot and cold choices.  Again - company and conversation will be offered, but you can choose the 'quiet carriage' option and keep reading.

During the days, you're at liberty to wander around, reading wherever takes your fancy. Our chosen venues also have lovely spaces other than your room where you can just sit and read. Depending on the time of year this may be by a roaring fire or in a peaceful garden by the river.  Lunch and snacks will be on hand and we are more than happy to take you on a refreshing walk to clear your head between chapters or books. The middle evening is our chance to meet an author - to hear how they balance reading and writing, and to hear about their work in progress.

Our House Manager is always on hand to assist. 

Before you leave, a goody bag and an individual consultation with our reading consultant to find a way to take a bit of your reading retreat home - let's find a part of your day when you can squeeze reading into your routine.

What is included in the price?  The price quoted is for sole occupancy of the specified room and includes; accommodation for 3 nights, all meals, snacks and refreshments (including wine with dinner), an optional Tailored Reading Prescription, a Goody Bag and a published author joining us for dinner one evening.

Do you offer Gift Vouchers? Yes, just scroll down to the bottom of the Retreats page where you can purchase vouchers in multiples of £50, Vouchers come beautifully presented in a gift box and are valid for 18 months.

Can I share a room? Yes, our venues usually have a mix of twin and double rooms and we offer a per person discount when a room is shared. We will never ask you to share a room with a stranger.  All rooms (including twin rooms) are booked on a sole occupancy basis unless you decide to come along with someone.

How many people will I be sharing a 'shared bathroom' with?  The houses we select usually have a good number of bathrooms, you are likely to be sharing with between 1 and 3 people.  Give us a call or email us and we can tell you the room/bathroom ratio for your selected Retreat

Can I come along by myself or do I need to book with a group? You do not need to be part of a group, and you are very welcome to come along by yourself.  You will receive a warm welcome.

Can I come along with my husband/wife/partner or a friend?  Yes, we offer a great discount if you would like to share a room.

I am a member of a Book Club - can we come as a group?  Yes, we welcome group bookings and you may be able to benefit from our room share discounts. Just give us a call.

I am planning on travelling by train - how can I get from the station to the house?  Let us know and we’ll provide details of local taxi companies who will be able to bring you straight to the door. Often we can put you in contact with fellow Readers so you can share a taxi.

Can I bring my Pet? Most of our venues don't allow pets so we are afraid this won't be possible.

Can I stay in my PJs all day?  Of course you can. This is all about being comfortable and relaxed.   

Are your venues accessible for wheelchair users? Some of our venues are.  Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.

What sort of food do you serve?  Our House Manager is a fabulous cook and throughout your stay provides high quality home cooked meals using wonderful fresh ingredients.  Breakfasts have a choice of hot or cold including, for example, porridge in winter; Lunch may include soups, salads or hot and cold light meals; Afternoon Tea can be prepared on request and our Supper is a three course meal. For those midnight readers we also offer a late night snack tray.

Do you serve alcohol?  We offer wine with supper, but do not offer a bar service.  You are welcome to bring your preferred drink but we remind all guests that anyone causing a disturbance under the influence of alcohol (or other substances) will be asked to leave immediately.

Can you accommodate Gluten Free/Vegetarian/Diabetic guests?  Of course! You will be asked for your dietary preferences on booking, so please make sure we have all the information we need. With regard to Food Allergies - as we use rental house kitchens we are unable to guarantee abscence of specific allergens. We do however comply with all Food Hygeine standards.

What do I need to bring?  Aside from clothes and personal toiletries nothing but books. Many of our venues prefer you not to wear shoes inside, so a pair of slippers or woolly socks is always a good idea. 

Does it matter what I read? Absolutely not! We just want you to read.

What type of authors will come along?  We have great connections with the publishing industry and we have many and varied choices, keep an eye on our news pages for our guest line-up.

When and how can I book?   Check out our Retreats page for current dates and venues. Click the button below your chosen Retreat and select the room you would like.   Sign up via our Newsletter page to make sure you keep up to date as we add more dates and venues.

What is your cancellation policy?  Should you need to cancel your booking the following policy will apply: More than 12 weeks notice, you will receive a full refund (less a £75 admin fee). 8-12 weeks, a 50% refund. If you cancel within 8 weeks of the booked retreat we are unable to offer a refund. Please check our full Terms and Conditions.

What is your Covid Policy? We want you to be as safe as possible, and with that in mind our approach will be as follows. We’d like you to show a Covid Vaccination Pass when you come (you can generate one on the NHS app or call 119 to get a paper copy). We also suggest you do a lateral flow test before you come. You can find our cancellation policy and our terms and conditions via our website, but if you can’t come due to Covid or any other illness, we will do our best to resell your room in order to provide you with a refund (less our admin charge). Alternatively we can move your booking to another Retreat date. However it is your responsibility to assess the risk of attending a Retreat, as we cannot guarantee the Covid status of any attendee.

I have a question that you have not answered here what do I do? Please just drop us an email at our Contact Us page