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Every writer needs space. A place away from work, chores, family and other distractions, where they can be free to turn their creativity and thoughts into the written word.

Deep in the heart of the beautiful North Devon countryside, nestling in a tranquil village, that space is waiting for you.

If you’re struggling to find the time and energy you need to finish your novel – or indeed start it, I can help. And as a working writer/journalist myself, I am happy to offer constructive criticism on your work.

We offer quiet comfortable rooms in a large traditional thatched house with a huge log fire, cosy kitchen, a garden, and broadband wireless connection for your laptop.

There’s a desk in your room, along with a kettle for hot drinks – but you may prefer to write downstairs by the fire, or in the kitchen, by the Rayburn. You can be as solitary or as sociable as you choose. And in the evenings, I am available
to discuss or advise.

Home-cooked meals, including home made bread and home made wines are provided – either with us at the kitchen table, on a tray by the fire, or in your room. Fresh eggs straight from our hens, are on the menu for breakfast, which can be served in bed if you wish.

The village pub is just 50 yards from the front door, and there are many delightful
walks all around. There’s even a small but well equipped gym in our grounds, for your use.

 But writers aren’t alone in their need for space. We welcome anyone who needs some time out to write, paint, read, think, meditate - or just sleep.

We’re offering complete respite from life’s distractions. So that for once, you can focus on what’s really important to you. This is your time. We guarantee it.



 

 

 

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Deborah Dooley

Writer, Journalist & Columnist

My decision to open my home as a retreat was a gradual process. After nearly 20 years as a freelance journalist and writer, I was feeling in need of something to complement the hours spent at my desk, as well as extra income to manage a mortgage that had grown rather than shrunk over the years! But looking back, I think I was probably also looking for some way of at least partly filling the gap left by the departure of my three children.

I’ve always enjoyed the nurturing side of motherhood – and I missed the comforting ritual of cooking big meals and eating them around our large wooden table with family and whichever friends happened to drop by.

My husband Bob also works from home as a carpenter, and although there are aspects of having the house to ourselves again, we both missed the hustle and bustle of family life.

The idea of sharing our home in an informal and relaxed way was the result of brainstorming session with a visiting friend, and it appealed instantly.

‘You’ve got so much space,’ she pointed out. ‘and you love looking after people. Why not offer a retreat package?’

It was a blindingly obvious and wonderfully inspiring solution. Plans crowded into my head with dizzying speed - and ‘Retreats for you’ was born!

The first and most obvious type of retreat to offer was one for writers. I’ve always found our home in North Devon a tranquil and thought-provoking environment, perfect for fuelling the muse! My excitement grew as the idea took shape. A space for writers to work in comfort and peace, while being fed well and given feedback if they needed it.

Within a couple of months, three spare bedrooms had been repainted and furnished in a cosy but Zen fashion, with desks and kettles, and soon after that I was readjusting from cooking meals for two, to once more preparing large repasts for four or more!

The step to broadening our retreat horizons was a small one. I loved the evenings spent with other writers, discussing work - over dinner or in front of the fire. But it was soon clear from the comments of departing visitors, that the main lure of our retreat was its nurturing factor. The informality and freedom of being able to be sociable or solitary, with no pressure to do either – while knowing that home-cooked meals are always provided – and you’re not expected to wash up!

Accordingly, we now welcome writers, painters, walkers, and anyone who needs a break from daily life – perhaps to just be quiet and heal. We even do pampering weekends for women. The type of retreat people are looking for may be different, but the philosophy is the same. Whatever you want to focus on, be it work, your relationship, or your own physical and mental wellbeing, we are here to help. With good food, wine, herbal tea, conversation and any kind of support you need, and we can provide.

The extra income is very welcome, but the real reward of running a retreat comes from the guests themselves. I’ve seen so many blossom during their stay – purely and simply because they’ve been relieved of the minutiae of daily life.

I’m constantly astonished and impressed by what people can achieve during a short time, if they’re allowed to focus on what’s important to them. It’s amazing, and uplifting!

Eventually I’d love to see Retreats for You blossom and grow into a franchise, with other like-minded people opening their homes to provide the nurturing environment we all need from time to time. And in time, I’d like to add other types of retreats. Self esteem boosting, Introduction to fitness, Yoga by the fire – the list of ideas fighting for space inside my head is endless. But for now I’m happy to see so many different kinds of people visiting and leaving us content.

 

www.deborahdooleyjournalist.co.uk

 

  

I’ve written for most of the women’s weekly and monthly magazines, several health and medical publications and most of the daily newspapers. Over the years I have done all kinds of writing – from putting together self help booklets on life coaching, to ghost writing a book on an alternative exercise system, and for the last four years I have written a weekly column on alternative health for Woman’s Weekly magazine.