Springtime Writing in the Cotswolds
May 8-15, 2026
Celebrate the springing of the year in one of the most beautiful places on earth
“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
When the English Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, wrote that line, he expressed the eternal optimism of the human spirit, that spark of hope that keeps us leaning forward to the next great adventure in our lives. For us, that next adventure is England, homeland of a slew of the world’s greatest writers.
Join us from May 8-15, 2026, as Go and Write! returns to England on an adventure to awaken our creative souls, be inspired by greatness, and reconnect with our literary selves as the country enters a time of renewal and abundance.
Go and Write! retreats are about more than just writing; they’re also about stirring, replenishing, and even reawakening, our souls. So, for seven nights, we’ll inhabit the ancient halls of a place that time—and the Vikings—forgot; we’ll visit literary mecca Stratford-upon-Avon, the magical Roman Baths, and mystical Stonehenge. On ordinary days, we’ll write, wander, eat, drink, and sleep in the gorgeous village of Broadway in the Cotswolds, cozy in the luxury of Abbots Grange, a 14th-century former monastery.
With only nine rooms available for participants at the award-winning Abbots Grange, space is quite limited on this seven-night, eight-day retreat—all the better to bask in the quiet of the Cotswolds, to listen to birdsong intertwined with the thrumming of your heart, the bleating of lambs above the scratch of your pen on paper.
Last year, our 2025 Cotswolds retreat sold out in a little over a week and we assume this retreat will fill quickly as well, since so many writers have asked us to host another spring retreat in the Cotswolds. Please reach out to us directly if you’d like to discuss registration.
We’ve chosen this time in May so we can enjoy the blooming warmth of spring and the quiet of the village before the tourist season is in full swing. Just as our springtime participants often wonder what the Cotswolds might be like at Christmastime, many of our December travelers can’t help but visualize Broadway in May as the wisteria returns to full bloom and the air smells of blossoms and sweet promise.
“I think England is the very place for a fluent and fiery writer.”
~ Dylan Thomas, Welsh poet
The Cotswolds region of England, through the centuries, has always attracted artists and writers, and it still does. To experience its unassuming beauty at a quiet, warm time will afford us the opportunity to enjoy it as a writer should.
We hope you’ll join us at Abbots Grange, our most luxurious venue ever, in the delightful Cotswolds village of Broadway, England. We’ll settle in for seven spectacular nights and eight days, so you can truly get lost in time. And with exclusive use, we’ll have the quiet and privacy required for uninterrupted writing, evening readings in the Great Hall, and a night of music.
Costs start at $6,995 CAD (approx. $4,960 USD) based on double occupancy. See details below.
Go and Write! with Dr. Gerard Collins and Janie Simpson
“Not all those who wander are lost…”
~ J.R.R. Tolkien
Janie Simpson is an award-winning author and was the founding executive and artistic director of the Arts and Culture Centre of Sussex, New Brunswick. She left that position in 2023 to focus on her writing and the administration of Go and Write! Janie’s stories have been published in Grain Magazine and Riddle Fence, and she has received creation grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the New Brunswick Arts Board to complete the first draft of her current project, a novel set on White Head Island, where she spent much of her childhood. See Janie’s detailed bio here, or visit www.janesimpsonwriter.ca.
Kind words from one of our recent retreat participants
“I am beginning to reflect on the joy the trip has brought me… The tenderness and care you showed us was so evident in the choices of lodging, the comfortable bus rides, and the knowledgeable guides. It was your day-to-day presence, while checking on all of us, that was especially meaningful. I am not certain I can explain the impact, but I feel it has awakened a longing in me and an understanding of something deeper that was not previously there.”
~ Ann K., Go and Write! alumnus
To learn more from previous participants, visit our Testimonials page.
A land steeped in literature
There must be something transcendent in that pastoral landscape—particularly after a dreary winter—that inspires a quest for creative greatness.
How else to explain a nation of Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Lord Byron, Mary and Percy Shelley, the Brontë sisters, Virginia Woolf, Terry Pratchett, Ian Fleming, A.A. Milne, Philip Larkin, and Julian Barnes? We are writers for a reason—because we eschew the prescribed life and yearn for something more, to seek out surroundings that remind us of who we really are, of our place in this world, and the importance of telling stories—translating thoughts to words.
“Think of England as a very large book, and the Cotswolds would be an unfussy chapter in the middle somewhere where there is lots of limestone and even more sheep.”
~ Susan Meissner, American author of A Charmed Life
Just as the swallows of spring alight, before the shops and pubs teem with visitors, we’ll arrive in the land of Shakespeare, Austen, Tolkien, and Dickens, not to mention the world of Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, Monty Python, the Beatles, and Bridget Jones. At nearly every turn on the ancient cobblestone streets and alleyways, you’ll find a plethora of people, places, and smaller personal moments to write about.
As with every Go and Write! retreat, you’ll find yourself in the company of like-minded souls in search of an exceptional experience together. This springtime retreat at Abbots Grange, perennially our most exclusive, unique, and peaceful venue, can provide you with respite from the world and sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, within close proximity to one of the quaintest, most beautiful little villages you’ll ever see.
The Gathering and The Bard
Early on the first morning of our writing retreat, we’ll gather at the Birmingham Airport (be sure to contact us about timing before you book your flights). Many of our participants choose to fly into Birmingham the day before and stay overnight at the gorgeous Grand Hotel Birmingham, and some then share a cab to the airport the next morning to lessen the cost—if this is of interest to you, we can help coordinate. Others have chosen to stay closer to the airport (and with more affordable accommodations) at the Hilton Garden Inn Airport Hotel, so that’s also an option.
Either way, we strongly recommend arriving in Birmingham at least one day early so you reduce the risk of missing our coach due to travel delays, and feel relaxed and refreshed, ready to turn your thoughts to writing.
Once we’re gathered at the airport—you’ll receive clear directions about our meeting spot and time—we’ll board our private coach and make our way to Stratford-upon-Avon, which happens to be on the way to the village of Broadway.
We’ll stop at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and tour the well-maintained cottage that’s more than 500 years old, stroll around the cottage’s English garden, and share a group lunch in their café.
Then we’re off to explore the town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
The market town of Stratford-upon-Avon is small and easily-navigated, and prides itself on its connections with William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway. There are myriad shops and cafés to take in as you stroll along the ancient streets, dedicated to treasures of all sorts, including books, clothing, and the world of Harry Potter.
We’ve also included a ticket to explore Shakespeare’s Birthplace, located in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the man and his life, and get up close to objects from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s world class collections.
Once we’ve had a chance to meander the shops of Stratford-upon-Avon, we’ll climb back aboard our coach and make our way to the village of Broadway and our venue for the week, Abbots Grange.
Welcome to Abbots Grange
There’s a palpable excitement as we drive through the village of Broadway, admiring the setting sun on the golden Cotswolds stone and quaint shops, and approach the gates of Abbots Grange. And then comes that breathless moment when the coach makes its way through the gates, tires crunching stones, and we get our first glimpse of the ancient manor house.
Once you enter the magnificent halls of Abbots Grange, you’ll immediately understand why we return to this out-of-the-way venue for our writing retreats, time and again. For seven nights and eight days, we’ll call this luxurious, private space, home. You’ll have a cozy and gorgeous room, and we’ll have group writing sessions in the dining room, and chats and quiet writing time in the Great Hall, with its exquisite décor and roaring fireplace if the weather’s cool enough, perhaps with a glass of wine, coffee, tea, or whatever you please.
We’ll have this entire 14th century former monastery all to ourselves for our seven-night retreat, so while you’ll feel at home amid the antiquitous splendour, you can be forgiven for wondering how you arrived at such a perfect place in your life.
The village of Broadway in the month of May is a special place—the spring flowers and wisteria are well in bloom, covering the shops and overflowing pots along High Street, mere steps away from the hobbit’s garden gate of Abbots Grange.
You can write in the tea shops, pubs, and restaurants in the village, or cocoon yourself in the peace of the Grange. In the Great Hall, when the evening remembers the chill of winter, you’ll find a crackling fire in the enormous hearth, and writing tables will be placed thoughtfully around the space for the duration of our writing retreat. And each day, you can enjoy your own private afternoon tea and cake in quiet comfort.
We’ve had the privilege of experiencing this space several times over the years, and it’s an inspiring and soothing place in which to imagine, write, and relax. Withdrawn from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Abbots Grange will replenish your soul. And with the luxury of eight days here, with exclusive use and no other guests onsite, we will truly be able to settle in.
The history of Abbots Grange runs pretty deep. A former monastery where famous artists and authors have gathered for centuries, Abbots Grange is just a short stroll from the lovely village of Broadway, and both the venue and the village are naturally quiet and creative spaces. Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Claude Monet all contribute to the lore of this place, while the stories of William Morris and Frank Millet are intertwined with the narrative of the Grange.
Built in 1320 as a summer home for the Abbot of Pershore, Abbots Grange is the oldest dwelling in Broadway and boasts unobstructed views of the Cotswold hills. With extensive upkeep over the centuries, the Grange looks and feels pretty much as it has since its early days, largely thanks to its owners and caretakers, Richard and Topsy, as well as to the intriguing fact that it has somehow survived raids from Vikings and other warriors over the centuries.
Today, Abbots Grange also offers the use of its private gardens and grounds that overlook the Cotswolds countryside, great for a morning ramble.
After we’ve been shown to our rooms, we’ll gather in the Dining Room for dinner. Over the years, we’ve found that sharing our first dinner together as a group is a great way to get to know each other, and our hosts at Abbots Grange will cater some lunches and evening meals onsite so we can stay even more focused throughout our retreat.
Each morning, we’ll have an English breakfast—with lots of choice from locally-sourced, fresh produce—in the rich, wood-panelled dining room. This gentle start to the day, coupled with quiet conversation about the craft, sets the tone for writing.
It really is all about the writing
We’ll be staying in the heart of the Cotswolds, so of course we’ll take you to some very special places, but the emphasis for this Springtime Writing in the Cotswolds gathering—as on all Go and Write! retreats—is on writing.
As writers, ourselves, we get it; it can be tough to find time to write. But that’s what’s so great about our writing retreats, and why our Cotswolds retreat only has two excursions: our visit to Stratford-upon-Avon on our way to our venue on day one, and a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath midway through the week.
We’re protective of writing time, but we also know that thoughtfully-designed excursions can provide significant, long-lasting inspiration. Writers appreciate the stimulation that comes from outstanding experiences, but we also need time to rest and think about it all, put distractions away, and settle down to some serious writing.
On our first morning at Abbots Grange, we’ll gather for our first group writing session after breakfast. Later that afternoon or early the next day, you’ll have your first one-on-one chat with experienced mentor, university professor of English language and literature, and award-winning author Dr. Gerard Collins, to discuss your goals and challenges. You can grab yourself a complimentary Nespresso or cuppa tea from the Pulpit Bar and talk about your writing with someone who is truly invested, listening and offering words of encouragement or advice as required.
Participants
We host as many new or emerging writers as we do established writers who simply need time away from the daily grind and support to refresh their souls or kickstart their writing. There is no application process to attend our retreats, but we do meet with each new-to-us, potential participant by Zoom before accepting registration. This allows us to get to know each other a wee bit to help gauge if our retreats might be a good fit, and it’s an efficient way for you to ask us questions about specific retreats or how we shape our retreats in general.
Go and Write! retreat participants range from beginning writers who’ve never published and simply want to start jotting down their thoughts, to award-winning, experienced writers who’ve published extensively through traditional publishing houses. Previous attendees include playwrights, poets, children’s authors, novelists, television producers, romance writers, short story, travel, and memoir writers, and everything in between.
If you have a desire to be in the company of like-minded souls, some of whom have written only a little and others who have published extensively, and you’re a lifelong learner who understands and respects boundaries, our retreats may be a good fit for you.
Writers can register as individual participants or bring someone to share their room and costs, in which case, both parties would register as a “double” registration. This second person can also be a writer or a non-writing spouse or adult guest, but please note that the rooms at Abbots Grange have only one bed.
Also, we do not pair strangers on our retreats, so if you want to register as a double, you’ll need to bring a roommate, and our numbers will be limited to approximately 14 participants on this writing retreat to allow for a more intimate, connected, and focused experience.
We often have non-writers join us on retreats (as part of a “double” registration, accompanying a writer), and they’re welcome to participate in as few or as many of the writing activities as they wish. These folks are invited to attend all of the meals, readings, writing sessions, and any outings that are part of the program, as these elements are included in everyone’s registration.
Group writing sessions, evening readings, and individual feedback
We will host relaxed, private group readings on a couple of evenings throughout the retreat, where you’ll have the chance to share your writing aloud with your fellow participants, if you like, without pressure (we don’t do peer or group critiques on our retreats). These evening readings are hosted in the same supportive and encouraging environment that we’re careful to cultivate on all of our retreats.
We will also have two group writing sessions guided by Gerard, an award-winning author and university educator, and because this retreat—by design—has a low number of participants, he will meet with you twice for one-on-one chats about your writing. In this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to talk with Gerard about your specific writing projects, goals, and challenges.
All registered participants will be asked to submit a short writing sample in advance of the retreat. We don’t ask potential participants to take writing “tests” or to have a minimum skill level to join us, but we do ask registered participants to be open to learning, and at a certain point before the retreat, we invite participants to submit a short writing sample for our eyes only.
Your sample stays with us and provides a foundation for your one-on-one discussion about your writing with Gerard, and it’s entirely up to you how and if you decide to implement any recommendations. Janie reads the samples to get an overall sense of your writing, and Gerard reads each sample multiple times and prepares his written commentary in advance, and he shares it with you—and only you—during the retreat. The writing samples also help Gerard customize the workshops for each retreat.
For those who are new to writing, you can trust that we respect the courage it takes to share your writing, and Gerard treats your submission with great care and respect as he’s preparing his written commentary. For those who are already experienced writers, Gerard is a multi-award-winning author who has taught writing for decades, and he’s also a professional editor and has privately mentored several authors who’ve gone on to win multiple awards; other published authors who’ve joined us in the past have said they got a lot out of his commentary and insights, and have applied them in their work going forward.
We invite you to have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
We ask that all participants, writers and any travel companions, commit to the spirit of mutual respect and mindfulness that we set, and actively avoid distracting others. All participants and their guests—including those who have joined us in the past—are required to review and agree to abide by our updated Expectations, Rules, and Conditions before we will accept registration.
The Village of Broadway—The Jewel of the Cotswolds
The merry month May is one of the very best times to visit England due to the uplifting warmth, the blooming flowers, and the low number of tourists.
This time of year, the days last much longer than during our usual autumn retreats, and you’ll be glad for it as you still have time after dinner to wander the town and partake of the many quaint shops, restaurants, pubs, and cafés built of that signature golden Cotswolds stone.
The days and evenings are quiet here, although you can expect more people on weekends when many Londoners come to the village of Broadway—known as the Jewel of the Cotswolds—to dine and shop, and to simply celebrate the arrival of spring when gentleness reigns even as the countryside comes alive with thriving greenery and freshly-planted crops.
While we envision this retreat to be creative and inspirational, it’s our close proximity to the beautiful, small village of Broadway that makes it the ideal location. Abbots Grange is literally just across the road from Broadway’s ‘picture perfect’ village High Street.
We can personally attest that the village of Broadway, with its delightful variety of boutique shops, inns, pubs, and restaurants, is an ideal place to roam for a while as you work out an idea or seek distraction. As the town website says, “The pretty High Street is lined with horse chestnut trees and includes a mixture of period houses and picturesque honey-coloured Cotswold stone cottages which have lured visitors for centuries.” We’re quite sure those same qualities will have you enthralled as well.
You’ll find plenty of shops along High Street, along with interesting places to visit, and, of course, myriad pubs, cafés, and restaurants where you’ll find great food and libations, as well as a cozy corner to ponder, take notes, and write.
There’s also the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery, where you can learn more about the world famous colony of artists who visited Broadway, many of whom stayed at Abbots Grange.
The village of Broadway was originally centred around the old church, St. Eadburgha’s, and the stream at Bury End (records from the 9th century) and is recorded in more detail in the Domesday Book of 1086. High Street, or the “broad way,” after which the village is named, grew as the centre of the village gradually expanded northwards to its present location. The coaching route opened up in the 1500s, and Broadway became a busy stage coach stop on the route from Worcester to Oxford and London. According to the Lygon Arms website, “Documentary evidence from 1377 indicates that a coaching inn stood on this site…”
A number of inns, in fact, were built to accommodate travellers, including many authors and artists who have walked these roads and stopped in these same places, such as Abbots Grange, which, itself, has hosted many esteemed personages over the years.
The Cotswolds region is well-known as a walker’s paradise, and the village of Broadway lies on the “The Cotswold Way” National Walking Trail. There’s a great website dedicated to walking in the region, complete with maps, recommended routes, and time estimates here.
For an in-depth idea of where we’ll be immersed for our eight-day retreat, have a look at the charming video about the village of Broadway below—there’s prominent mention of Abbots Grange. Having spent a fair amount of time in Broadway, ourselves, we can say without hesitation that, for as beautiful and peaceful as he makes it look, the reality is far better, and Abbots Grange itself is a world within a world where many artists, writers, and philosophers have come seeking solace and inspiration. We, like many other Go and Write! participants, are fortunate to count ourselves among those who have found exactly what we needed at Abbots Grange, and we’re joyful to be returning with like-minded souls.
Day Trip: Stonehenge, Bath, and Beyond
Stonehenge
Just after sunrise, we’ll grab our breakfast “to-go” bags from Abbots Grange and make our way by private coach to catch the early morning rays at venerable Stonehenge, the prehistoric stone circle monument, cemetery, and archaeological wonder a few kilometres outside the “city in the countryside” that is Salisbury.
While much of Stonehenge’s usage is a mystery, modern Druids gather at the site every year to mark the midsummer; numerous crowds visit Stonehenge at the winter solstice as well, as the monument seems designed to mark the position of the sun on those significant dates.
Built in six stages beginning in the Neolithic Period (approx. 4,000 BCE), Stonehenge likely gets its name from the Saxon “stang-hengen,” meaning “stone hanging” or “gallows” and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.
We’re on the list for their exclusive Inner Circle Private Access Tour—fingers crossed!
Bath
After our Stonehenge experience, we’ll have second breakfast at their café before we journey to the exquisite town of Bath, famous for its Roman baths and temple going back to 2nd century BCE. While we won’t have time to write a novel here, you can take some notes as you wander, take a guided tour of the Baths, and grab yourself some lunch. You can also visit the Jane Austen Centre at 25 Gay Street where Jane Austen lived and wrote from 1801-1806—in fact, she set two novels, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, in Bath.
And beyond…
We couldn’t bring you to the Cotswolds without actually taking you around to see the Cotswolds and surrounding area, and we’ll be guided by a local who has lived there his entire life.
The Cotswolds region is a protected landscape and designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which has afforded it strict protections. Spanning nearly 800 square miles, the vast region is some of the most beautiful countryside in all of England.
By mid-afternoon, as we return to Broadway, we’ll drive through the Cotswolds countryside and take time to visit the famous door at St. Edward’s church in Stow-on-the-Wold, which almost certainly inspired Tolkien’s Doors of Durin, where you need to speak “friend” in Elvish to enter. The famous yew trees might well be nearly 1,000 years old—as old as the church itself.
Some will want to poke around the shops for a bit while others may take a refreshment at The Porch House, England’s oldest Inn (parts of which were built in 947 AD) for a bit, before climbing back aboard our coach and heading home.
These highlights provide a focal point, but it’s the quiet majesty of these towns that lure us, as they’ve done for millions of people over the centuries—and again we’ll remind you, that’s a major reason why we’re going in May, before the tourists remember it’s there—all the better to ponder your work in progress in relative peace.
Accommodations at the Abbots Grange
Although we’ve taken Go and Write! retreats to castles, villas, and island hideaways, Abbots Grange is easily our most luxurious venue. All of the rooms are well-appointed and impressive, and they’re arranged into two price categories based on the venue’s recommendation. See pricing details below.
Heritage Rooms: Millet, Monet, Morris, and Sargent
Each of the spacious, lavish, and individually-designed Heritage Rooms come with solid oak, four poster beds dressed with a canopy and the finest Egyptian cotton sheets, seating areas, flat screen televisions and Wi-Fi, adjustable lighting, fluffy bathrobes, and welcome trays with tea and coffee making facilities. We’ve borrowed the descriptions below from the Abbots Grange website.
Millet
Named after Francis Millet, the renowned American artist and previous owner of Abbots Grange who died on the Titanic, this en-suite room features an impressive barrel-vaulted ceiling and triple aspect views over the grounds and Cotswold hills beyond.
The Millet is bright and spacious, offering a King-sized four-poster bed, private seating area, and a fluffy bathrobe. There’s also a window seat for enjoying the in-room welcome tray with tea and coffee making facilities.
Monet
Named after the French artist Claude Monet (another regular at Abbots Grange), this superbly proportioned room—with separate, private bathroom—boasts a 10 foot wide, feature window overlooking the grounds and formal gardens. While this room does not have an ensuite bathroom, we have exclusive use of the venue and the bathroom is private and just across the hall (see layout illustration).
The Monet is also the most luxurious of the Heritage Rooms, with a gorgeous, King-sized four-poster bed with canopy, a writing desk and seating area, and a fluffy bathrobe. There’s also a window seat for enjoying the tea and coffee making facilities.
Morris
Named after William Morris, who supervised the restoration of Abbots Grange by Millet, this en-suite room is beautifully proportioned with double aspect views and an impressive, walk in Travertine shower.
Sargent
Named after renowned impressionist artist John Singer Sargent—a regular visitor to Abbots Grange—this delightful, double aspect en-suite room overlooks the croquet lawn and gardens.
Learn more about the Abbots Grange Heritage Rooms.
Luxury Suites: Abbot’s Chambers, Elizabethan Suite, Carriage Room, Coach House Suite, and Stable Room
Abbots Grange Manor House is one of Britain’s best preserved medieval, monastic manor houses. The venue has won several hospitality awards, and it shows in their extraordinary, luxurious suites. Many celebrities have chosen to stay in these rooms, though the Abbots Grange staff are rightly circumspect and careful not to divulge names of those who wish to remain anonymous.
Abbot’s Chambers
The ancient stone stairway off the Great Hall leads to the Abbot’s private chambers and oratory. Generously proportioned, the spectacular monastic medieval architecture blends with modern day comforts, including adjustable lighting and a small refrigerator.
With a 25-foot high vaulted ceiling, ancient oak beams, and your very own huge, open fireplace, the Abbot’s Chambers is a celebration of medieval craftsmanship and offers unmatched creative inspiration.
Note: The stone stairway leading up to the Abbot’s Chambers, while not steep or long, requires care due to the unusual step arrangement and original rope hand-rail and is not recommended for individuals with walking difficulties.
Learn more about the Abbot’s Chambers.
Elizabethan Suite
Leading directly off the medieval Great Hall and up an ancient stone stairway, you’ll discover the Elizabethan Suite, one of the most atmospheric and romantic suites in England.
If walls in this part of the building could talk, they would have tales to tell stretching back over 700 years of England’s historic past. In more recent times, when renowned artist Francis Millet restored Abbots Grange in the mid-1880s, the Elizabethan Parlour became his favourite room—it was here that he laboured over so many of his finest oil paintings, artworks and sketches.
Note: The stone stairway leading up to the Elizabethan Suite, while not steep or long, requires care due to the unusual step arrangement and original rope hand-rail and is not recommended for individuals with walking difficulties.
Learn more about the Elizabethan Suite.
The Coach House
A few steps from the main house you’ll find the beautiful Coach House Building, which houses the Coach House Suite, the Carriage Room, and the Stable Room
Coach House Suite
The Coach House Suite occupies an entire floor and is accessed from an outside set of stairs. With 20-foot high vaulted ceilings, a King-sized four-poster bed, and a Romeo and Juliet balcony with unrestricted quadruple aspect views out over the grounds and Cotswolds hills, you can’t help but be inspired.
Designed for privacy, the Coach House Suite, with its exposed timbers and Cotswold stone, has an open plan with separate lounge and bedroom areas and an in-room, duo-bath as well as a walk-in shower. It features a built-in Bluetooth sound system for those who like to listen to music when they write, adjustable lighting to help set the mood for creativity, and a small refrigerator.
Learn more about the Coach House Suite.
Carriage Room
Privacy and luxury with the best views, and just steps away from the main house, this ground floor accommodation has unrestricted, double aspect views over the Cotswold hills and the advantage of its own private outdoor patio. Features leaded light windows and French doors, a modern Bluetooth sound system, adjustable lighting to help set the stage for writing, and a small refrigerator.
A sumptuous King-sized four-poster bed, a walk-in, drench shower, and indoor and outdoor seating areas complete this extraordinarily well-appointed ground floor accommodation.
Learn more about the Carriage Room.
The Stable Room
If you’re looking for privacy and focus, this is the room for you. About 20 paces from the main building is the brand new Stable Room, recently renovated and made available to us by Abbots Grange.
The Stable Room is on the ground floor (with one step up to enter) and is spacious, with a King sized bed and its own seating area. It also boasts the only kitchenette at Abbots Grange, as well as a private entrance and private patio, and is particularly well-suited for those who wish to write without distraction.
About 20 paces from the main building you'll find the private Stable Room, Carriage Room, and Coach House Suite
Learn more about The Stable Room.
Back to Birmingham
“O Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
(Bonus points if you can identify—without the help of an internet search engine!!—which Shakespeare character utters those pained words)
We’ll end our Springtime Writing in the Cotswolds retreat with a final group supper in the Abbots Grange Dining Room and group readings in the Great Hall.
On our last morning, we’ll have a final, Fare-thee-Well group breakfast before checkout at 11:00 a.m., and we’ll have private transportation back to Birmingham Airport, where you can catch a flight home or continue your travels.
Join us on our next adventure
Sure, you can write anywhere, but you can also write in a 14th century manor house in the Cotswolds, maybe even a little bit in Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, and at Stonenenge, too. Join us as we find inspiration in a country that honours its writers as if they were gods and goddesses.
On Go and Write! retreats, you won’t find expectations of daily word counts, but you will find plenty of encouragement. Like something out of Canterbury Tales, you’ll find yourself among like-minded souls with hopes, aspirations, and stories to tell.
We always suggest you bring something to write on, because you really can write anywhere. Pubs, coffeehouses, park benches, or outside the house of a famous literary figure—the world is yours to write about. It’s up to you to value your own time, which sometimes will mean saying, “Not today” to the gods of distraction. Other times, it will mean going down the rabbit hole.
Join us, then, for a springtime retreat at an ancient monastery, a creative haven of inspiration and reflection for artists and writers for countless years.
A note from a recent retreat participant
“It is not an exaggeration to say this retreat changed my life! I have been struggling for years to finish a personal memoir draft. Just a few days on our retreat, and my writing and I turned a corner. I had the breakthrough that had eluded me for years. The combination of Gerard’s insightful guidance, the support of the other writers who became instant soulmates, and the Irish tradition of storytelling in an 18th century castle proved to be life-changing.
“I am close to finishing my memoir draft, and I give all credit to Go and Write for providing the environment that enabled me to write and organize my thoughts. I have opened myself up to the possibilities ahead, and I’m feeling better about my writing than I have in years.
“My deepest thanks to Gerard and Jane…”
~ Gloria R.B., Go and Write! alumnus
Go!
Abbots Grange
- Accommodation for 7 nights, 8 days at the Abbots Grange manor house
- 7 breakfasts—second breakfast is up to you
- 2 dinners
- 2 lunches
- A visit to Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakespeare was born and lived
- Entry tickets to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the Birthplace of Shakespeare
- Group lunch at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage Café
- Day tour
- Entry to Stonehenge
- Entry to the Roman Baths
- Time to explore the village of Broadway, a 2-minute walk from Abbots Grange
- Non-writing participants (who accompany a writer) are welcome to take part in as few or as many of the elements of the retreat as they wish
- Land transfers for included day trip as well as to and from Birmingham Airport
Write!
- Professional, honest, and thoughtful written commentary on your pre-submitted writing sample from Dr. Gerard Collins, an award-winning author and university professor of English language and literature—helpful for all writing levels
- Two group writing sessions
- Two one-on-one chats with Gerard and regular check-ins throughout the retreat
- Group readings and discussions with Gerard and other writers
- Ample quiet time and opportunity for writing, inspiration, idea-gathering, and solitude
A major difference between Go and Write! and most other travel companies or writing retreats is the personalized aspect of our tours. We ensure there’s both social time and alone time built into the itinerary, as well as plenty of time for wandering and gathering thoughts in a solitary fashion. Throughout the retreat, we regularly encourage writers to give each other space, although social time is also guaranteed, if that’s what you’d like.
We also don’t force strangers to share rooms. Participants are welcome to bring a spouse or close friend/relative, and please note that all bedrooms at Abbots Grange have just one bed.
In all, we pride ourselves on being open and inclusive, and, being writers ourselves, we imagine the best writing retreat possible and try our best to deliver on that ideal.
COST
We have split the rooms at Abbots Grange into two categories, as per the venue’s recommendation and fees.
Please also note that there is NOT a surcharge for single travellers. The true cost of the retreat is based on the single price, but if you register as a double and travel with someone else, you share the room costs, which lowers the price per person. You must be prepared to share a bed as there are no twin options in any of the rooms at Abbots Grange.
Retreat including a Heritage Room at Abbots Grange
Single occupancy: $8,895 CAD (approx. $6,304 USD) per person, including tax.
Double occupancy, per person: $6,995 CAD (approx. $4,960 USD) per person, including tax.
See Heritage Rooms.
Retreat including a Luxury Suite at Abbots Grange
Single occupancy: $10,695 CAD (approx. $7,580 USD) per person, including tax.
Double occupancy, per person: $7,895 CAD (approx. $5,595 USD) per person, including tax.
See Luxury Suites: Abbot’s Chambers, Elizabethan Suite, Coach House Suite, Carriage Room, and Stable Room
Contact us for more information and to reserve your space, and to see which rooms are available.
See below for the payment schedule and specific cancellation policy associated with this retreat.
Please note that there is NOT a surcharge for single travellers. The true cost of the retreat is based on the single price, but if you bring someone else, you share the room costs, which lowers the price per person. We do not pair strangers on our retreats, and numbers will be limited to approximately 16 registrants to allow for a more intimate, connected, and focused experience.
Listed price is in Canadian dollars and includes tax; gratuities are at participants’ discretion. We have estimated the price in US dollars for our American participants’ convenience, based on the rate of exchange at the time of publication; the actual cost in American dollars will depend on the conversion rate at time of payment.
Rates shown do not include credit card processing fees. For those paying by credit card, we will have to add 2.4% and that fee is non-refundable. For Canadians, we’re able to offer an e-transfer option to save you processing fees. For other registrants, we also accept international bank transfers; please research the processing fees charged by your bank as you’re responsible to pay those fees. Contact us for more information.
Some people choose to pay by credit card, particularly if it has an associated trip insurance policy. It is your responsibility to research and understand details around any insurance coverage associated with your credit card. Visit our Expectations, Rules, and Refunds page for more information about the importance of trip insurance.
Register by contacting us.
Payment schedule
*Payment schedule will be adjusted for registrants who sign up after deadlines, and we can create an individual payment plan at no additional cost.
- At registration, to confirm your space: $1,500 CAD per person, non-refundable, non-transferable deposit
- On or before December 15, 2025: next instalment of $2,500 CAD per person is due
- On or before January 15, 2025: next instalment of $2,500 CAD per person is due
- On or before February 15, 2026: balance remaining is due
Fees are in Canadian dollars and include applicable taxes. If you’re interested in paying in instalments within this schedule, please let us know so that can be arranged—we do not charge an additional fee for this service. Payment deadlines must be met or you risk forfeiting your space, and the cancellation and refunds policy and dates specific to this retreat apply (see below). Registrants who run into difficulties meeting the payment schedule must contact us immediately to see if alternate arrangements can be made.
See additional details about missed payments, cancellations, and refunds below. We may extend these dates for later registrants.
Insurance, cancellations
You are responsible for arranging for trip insurance, including cancellation insurance! Life can throw curveballs at us: we HIGHLY recommend that all participants get travel insurance, including cancellation, interruption, and health insurance, as soon as they register for a Go and Write! retreat.
We have seen situations where participants who have NOT arranged for insurance lose all of their investment when they’ve had to cancel, and we’ve seen participants who HAVE arranged for insurance recoup 100% of their investment.
Participants are responsible to research and make arrangements for their own insurance.
Participants are responsible to research the implications of travel restrictions and requirements at home and abroad before and at the time of travel. Ensure you have everything you need so you aren’t turned away from establishments or airports.
Missed payments, cancellation, and refunds — please note this policy and these dates are specific to this retreat
We strongly encourage you to purchase the appropriate travel insurance, and to do so at the appropriate time.
- Your deposit as well as any processing fees associated with retreat payment(s) are 100% non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the timing or circumstances of your cancellation.
- If you cancel on or before December 14, 2025, any other payments you’ve made to us are returned to you, less the non-refundable deposit and any payment processing fees.
- If you cancel between December 15, 2025 and February 14, 2026, you forfeit 75% of all monies paid, in addition to the non-refundable deposit and any processing fees.
- If you cancel on or after February 15, 2026, no fees paid will be returned.
- You must notify us, in writing, of your intentions to cancel.
While we present our information in good faith, sometimes things happen that are beyond our control and circumstances may force us to change certain aspects of the retreat.
- If the retreat or any aspect of the retreat needs to be postponed or adjusted, we will make every attempt to reschedule or offer an alternative.
- We can only offer refunds if our providers also refund monies to us.
- Prices are subject to change due to provider and supplier changes and availability, unforeseen travel conditions, cancellations, and culpability.
Due to contractual obligations with our suppliers, we cannot make exceptions to the cancellation policy, regardless of the reason.
All participants (and travel companions, if applicable) are required to review our Expectations, Rules and Refunds page and acknowledge agreement with the contents before registering for a Go and Write! retreat.
A few notes
Passport
A valid passport is required—you could be turned away at the airport if your passport is within a few months of expiry, so be sure to check your passport expiry date against what the host country will allow. This almost happened to us—it was only by the grace of the airport attendant that we were allowed to board the plane!
Entry requirement to the U.K.
All travellers to the United Kingdom are required to apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA). We applied for ours and it was easy and quick; that said, we highly recommend applying well in advance. Learn more here.
Amenities
We are staying in a venue with no elevator; participants may be required to climb stairs to get to their bedrooms. At some points during our retreat, there may be limited or no Wi-Fi or cellular phone service, as well as no air conditioning in our accommodations.
Logistics
The retreat begins on May 8 and ends on May 15, 2026. In the morning of May 8, we will gather at the Birmingham Airport to meet our private coach. Check-out at Abbots Grange is at 11:00 a.m. We will provide transportation to the Birmingham Airport after checkout. Please communicate with us before making flight arrangements.
Check out our 2026 retreat lineup!
Springtime Writing in the Cotswolds, May 8-15, 2026
Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, June 7-16, 2026
Return to Kingsbrae: St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, June 19-26, 2026
Return to Kingsbrae: St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, August 26-September 2, 2026
Return to Kingsbrae: St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, September 4-11, 2026
Return to Kingsbrae: St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, September 23-30, 2026
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire: Cotswolds, England, December 8-16, 2026