Reading retreats

Moat Hall Reading Retreats offer a unique stay in an historic house in the company of fellow book lovers.
  • Find time to read in this beautiful Grade II listed house with its own library.
  • Choose a spot to curl up with a book in one of the cosy communal rooms.
  • If you prefer solitary reading, each bedroom has a comfortable reading chair as well as a writing desk.
  • Take a break to wander the gardens, swim in the pool, or explore the surrounding countryside.

The retreats are designed to support you to switch off from all responsibilities. You will enjoy the comfort of home cooked meals prepared onsite and shared with fellow readers.

What to expect

The retreats are hosted by Eleanor. A lifelong book lover and bookshop owner of nearly 20 years, she will look after you throughout your stay and can help you decide what to read.

READING CONSULTATIONS*

After you have booked your reading retreat, the next step is a chat with Eleanor, who will talk with you about your reading preferences. Based on your conversation, she will choose a personally curated selection of up to 10 books that will be waiting for you at Moat Hall. You can browse the books, of which you may buy as many as you like, and discuss them in your follow-up one to one during the retreat. All guests have £30 of book credit, which can be used for any of your personal selection or on books from the shelves of the Moat Hall library. *These consultations are optional, and you can let us know when you book if you prefer not to take part.

AUTHOR VISIT

A guest author will join us for dinner one evening and give a reading. This is a lovely way to enjoy the company of a published author and to talk with them about their craft, including how and why they write the books we love to read.

The schedule

Days are planned around meals, offering you plenty of time simply for reading. You might finally start a book you have been meaning to read for years or enjoy one you’ve recently discovered. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can peruse your personal book selection or browse the shelves of the Moat Hall library. We offer you the chance to fully immerse yourself in reading without distractions. Freed from the chores of everyday life, you can dedicate yourself to nurturing your love of books. When you want to take a break, you can enjoy all that the Moat Hall grounds have to offer or one of the beautiful local walks.

Guests arrive on Thursday between 4 and 5pm and leave by 11am on Sunday. Our daily schedule generally looks like this:

Thursday
4-5pm
Arrival at Moat Hall
5:30pm
Gather in the snug for a housekeeping information session
6:30pm
Welcome drinks
7pm
Dinner
8:30pm
Social gathering in the garden or by the fire, depending on the weather
8-10am
Breakfast

10:30am

One to ones (optional reading consultation follow-up sessions) available throughout the day
1pm
Lunch
4:30pm
Afternoon tea in the snug
7pm
Author dinner
8:30pm
Author reading in the barn
8-10am
Breakfast

11:30am

Coffee in the snug
1pm
Lunch
2pm
Local walk or National Trust vsit (optional, arranged as desired)
4:30pm
Afternoon tea in the snug
7pm
Farewell dinner
8-10am
Breakfast
11am
Departure

The schedule

Days are planned around meals, offering you plenty of time simply for reading. You might finally start a book you have been meaning to read for years or enjoy one you’ve recently discovered. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can peruse your personal book selection or browse the shelves of the Moat Hall library. We offer you the chance to fully immerse yourself in reading without distractions. Freed from the chores of everyday life, you can dedicate yourself to nurturing your love of books. When you want to take a break, you can enjoy all that the Moat Hall grounds have to offer or one of the beautiful local walks.

Guests arrive on Thursday between 4 and 5pm and leave by 11am on Sunday. Our daily schedule generally looks like this:

Thursday

4-5pm
Arrival at Moat Hall
5:30pm
Gather in the snug for a housekeeping information session
6:30pm
Welcome drinks
7pm
Dinner
8:30pm
Social gathering in the garden or by the fire, depending on the weather

Friday

8-10am
Breakfast
10:30am
One to ones (optional reading consultation follow-up sessions) available throughout the day
11:30am
Coffee in the snug
1pm
Lunch
4:30pm
Afternoon tea in the snug
7pm
Author dinner
8:30pm
Author reading in the barn

Saturday

8-10am
Breakfast
11:30am
Coffee in the snug
1pm
Lunch
2pm
Local walk or National Trust visit (optional, arranged as desired)
4:30pm
Afternoon tea in the snug
7pm
Farewell dinner

Sunday

8-10am
Breakfast
11am
Departure

Writing retreats

Moat Hall also hosts untutored writing retreats. These are run on the same schedule as reading retreats, but the guest author will give a workshop in the afternoon instead of an after dinner reading. When you join us for a writing retreat we ask that you have your own independent writing project in mind, with this time giving you the opportunity to make progress within a relaxed and nurturing setting. On the final evening, you will have the chance to read some of your work to the group to share and celebrate the writing you have done during the retreat

Upcoming Retreats

17 – 20th September – Reading retreat
8 – 11th October – Writing retreat
5 – 8th November – Reading retreat
3 – 6th December – Reading retreat

FAQS

What's included?
  • Welcome gift and drink
  • Onsite chef providing all your meals
  • Coffee and tea breaks
  • Author dinner and reading (or workshop for writing retreats)
  • Pre-retreat consultation (optional)
  • One to one follow-up during your stay (optional)
  • A personal selection of books to browse on arrival (optional)
  • £30 worth of book credit (and the opportunity to purchase more books)
  • Access to the Moat Hall library to browse and buy books
  • Access to the outdoor tennis court and heated swimming pool (in season)
  • Advice on local walks and other activities
Bedroom
Single Occupancy
Double Occupancy

Toni Morrison deluxe suite – a large bedroom and huge en-suite bathroom with a freestanding clawfoot bathtub and a walk in shower

£1,300
£2,100
Virginia Woolf – large en-suite

£1,200

£1,900

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