Writing Retreat with Mary-Jane Holmes

Trealy Farm is a 138 acre organic mixed farm on a hillside looking out towards the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. It's a beautiful, wild, and secluded space.  

From 23rd March to April 19th the space is dedicated to writers, offering an immersive writing experience including mutual support, daily goal setting, evening readings and feedback sessions, communal eating and self catering, accommodation and private mentoring with Mary-Jane Holmes. This is an ideal offering for writers who already have a project or are beginning a new project. Mary-Jane Holmes will be in residence at Trealy Farm for most of that period and available for mentoring sessions at  £45 per mentoring session with up to 5000 words read for a session in advance.  Mary Jane will also provide 20 minutes of writing prompts after lunch.

You can book between 30 days and 2 nights and anything in between. You can be totally private and solitary or join in on communal gatherings at the farm including morning meditations with horses, morning goal-setting, evening readings of your writing with feedback. In addition the facilities at Trealy Farm – pool, saunas, woodlands, private walks – are fully available. In addition you can book private sessions of Alexander technique and yoga with Jana Boronova (not throughout the month – dates TBC).

All participants have use of the Pavilion - exclusive to the group during the Writing Month. A cedar clad building with huge glass windows, balcony and stunning views. The Pavilion has a fully fitted kitchen, comfortable seating area, dining area and a luxurious wood fired sauna. All participants can also use the Natural Swimming Pool and an additional infrared sauna with many health benefits. A large covered Arena (40 m x 20 m) is available for horse work, dance, movement and for sitting around a fire when it’s raining. There are many special places on the farm for working outside and gathering, including around a firepit and under an ancient yew tree. 

We will cater some meals (sharing payment for ingredients) or you can use the Pavilion kitchen for self catering. All accommodation has some cooking facility and / or access to Pavilion kitchen. 

 

WRITING RETREAT & ACCOMMODATION at Trealy Farm NP25 4BL

All accommodation areas have free WiFi.

Prices are inclusive of bedding and towels

No VAT charge or other extras. 

15% discount on accommodation for stays of 5 days or more. 

25% discount on accommodation for stays of 7 days or more. 

 

Accommodation choices are as follows:

2 x Loghouses: self-contained fully insulated wooden shepherd huts for one or two occupants in double and single beds (double with single above as bunk), seating area, fully fitted kitchen and ensuite bathroom. Each one has a wood fired stove and a French window opening onto its own patio area. Beautiful and luxurious spaces which have everything you might need. The huts have electricity and are on the mains water system.  Both are situated in the garden orchard of the farm house but are private from each other.

Cost £40 per night single occupancy; £70 double occupancy

2 x Pods: self-contained wooden pods with double bed, seating area, kitchen and ensuite bathroom. Compact, simple and luxurious spaces in beautiful settings. The pods have electricity including heaters and are on the mains water system. Each one has a covered verandah and a firepit. POD OLYGFA is near the house and has stunning views over the valley to the Black Mountains. POD Y COED is a three minute walk from the house and secluded - surrounded by pasture and trees with an open vista.

Cost £40 per night single occupancy; £70 double occupancy 

3 x FarmHouse Bedrooms: double bedrooms in traditional 16th century farm house with access to two shared bathrooms and additional toilet. 

Cost £35 per night single occupancy; £60 double occupancy (Double beds)

1 x Sheppy the Shepherd Hut: Hut with double bed, basic kitchen and access to nearby toilet / shower room. Electric lights and heating. Access to fully fitted kitchen and additional bathroom in Pavilion and electric shower in Stable Block. Situated near the house

Cost £30 per night single occupancy; £50 double occupancy

 

2 x Two berth Caravans: Caravans each with two beds (small doubles), basic kitchen and toilet. Electric lights and heating. Electric heaters and lights. Access to fully fitted kitchen and additional bathroom in Pavilion and shower in Stable Block. Caravans are situated near the arena, 2 minutes walk from house, and look up towards the hill and down towards the horse paddocks. 

Cost £25 per night single occupancy. 

 

Camping

You are welcome to bring your own tent or campervan and camp with use of shower room and compost loo.

You can camp near the house or in a secluded location of your choice.

Cost £12 per night for tent; £15 per night for campervan; £5 per night with additional hook up.


There are additional hot showers in Pavilion and Stable block and additional shower (cold water only) by the pool. 

Pavilion has three comfortable double futon beds which can also be used though as this is the group space we don’t recommend. 

All prices include bedding and towels (except campers bringing own tent or campervan).

Rooms allocated on a first come first served basis. 

 

Please note there is a 2 night minimum stay

 

To see more images of the spaces at Trealy Farm visit:

https://thepracticeofthewild.com/the-space/

 

To book or ask questions contact Ruth

ruth.trealy@btinternet.com

Mary-Jane Holmes website