The inspiration for my novel struck me suddenly while walking across the Golden Jubilee Bridge in central London. As the twilight sky deepened, a vivid scene lodged itself in my thoughts and stayed with me until I finally committed to bringing it to life on the page.

After a few months, it became evident that squeezing in writing sessions for just half an hour after work wasn’t going to get the novel completed.

That’s when I turned to writing retreats—not just places to write, but sanctuaries that can breathe new life into even the most weary or blocked writers.

My first retreat was a solo venture: three quiet nights in a former chapel in Llanfrynach, a small village near Abergavenny in the foothills of Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons). Dylan Thomas was right about the creative power of walking, and Wales is perfect for reflective strolls. I adopted a daily rhythm of writing each morning and wandering in the afternoons along the mossy, misty banks of the River Usk. The peace and isolation proved remarkably productive over a long weekend, though I did miss the camaraderie of fellow writers.

To celebrate reaching the 50,000-word milestone—and with the start of a coherent three-act structure in hand—I treated myself with a stay at the Urban Writers’ Retreat. I had previously completed an online course with founder Charlie Haynes and appreciated her supportive style. The retreat was held in a spacious Georgian farmhouse near Newton Abbot, Devon, offering the perfect mix of comfort and focus.

I had a charming room with its own desk, but my preferred writing spot was the window seat in the drawing room, overlooking gardens and grazing animals. There were six guests altogether, and we gathered in the kitchen for meals and writing chats. With Charlie preparing delicious food like herb-crusted salmon and fig and mozzarella salad, meals became a highlight. Even without writing, the retreat would have been rejuvenating—but the words came effortlessly.

As months went by, life's demands crept in and my novel took a backseat. It began to feel like an overstuffed cupboard I could barely open without feeling overwhelmed.

That's when I discovered Acorn Writing Retreats, founded by Dr. Rebecca Maxwell Stuart, drawing from her academic experience. Her aim is to help writers bring clarity to their manuscript struggles. “At Acorn, we want writers to find confidence in both their projects and themselves,” she says.

Set in the serene landscape of Loch Lomond, the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha hosted a four-day retreat welcoming eight writers working on fiction, nonfiction and academic pieces. This retreat was structured, with goal setting at the start, four writing sessions each day, and stimulating mini-exercises to spark creativity and boost productivity.

We worked silently around a horseshoe-shaped table, fostering a shared sense of commitment and accountability. Rebecca also encouraged nurturing self-care, with optional evening meditations and time to acknowledge our achievements, no matter how small.

Afternoon walks along the lochside, watching the play of sunlight across the hills, rekindled a sense of hope that my years-in-progress might finally be close to completion.

Sometimes, it’s the people who make a retreat truly memorable. That was certainly the case at Rewrite, a retreat designed for women of colour and run by author Christina Fonthes. She hosts writing and wellbeing programs in the UK and abroad, including Costa Rica, Portugal and Thailand, as well as offering online sessions.

I joined the Brighton retreat for a weekend focused on refining writing technique. Structured workshops helped us explore our authentic voices. We shared our work, received feedback, and closed with an open mic. Christina’s approach draws attention to mental and physical alignment and the need to guard against burnout, especially for Black women. A daily yoga practice reinforced this holistic approach. Opening up about my novel’s themes—beauty, Black identity and belonging—with others who understood those experiences brought me closer to the final draft.

With the end of the novel nearing, I needed absolute solitude to focus. A wooden cabin at Starcroft Farm, nestled on the edge of Powdermill Wood in East Sussex, proved ideal.

Hannah Stuart-Leach, a historian and former travel writer, and her husband Tom, have created an enchanting retreat tailored for writers. Each tiny cabin includes a desk, bathroom, small kitchen and a bedroom with a skylight for stargazing. Mine had an earthy, spiritual ambiance, with a shelf lined with poetry, craft books and mystical titles, including Sharon Blackie’s “Hagitude.” A thoughtful box of spells and a Green Man print added charm.

One delightful surprise was arriving to find a gift-wrapped book—“Soldier Sailor” by Claire Kilroy—selected by Rother Books based on my preferences sent beforehand.

Though I worked solo, Starcroft also offers regular coaching sessions and themed retreats in small groups. Tucked into the writing corner of my cabin, I found the focus I needed to do my best work.

And I finished the novel. The sense of accomplishment was extraordinary. While nothing replaces the discipline of sitting down and getting the words out, having the occasional retreat with good company and inspiring surroundings made the journey far more enjoyable.

The Old Chapel in Llanfrynach costs £487 for three nights. Urban Writers’ Retreat offers stays from £415 for three nights. Acorn Writing Retreats start at £525 for a three-day program or £675 for four days (discounts available for marginalized and low-income writers via the Acorn Access Fund). Rewrite in East Sussex is priced from £1,700 for five nights. Starcroft Farm cabins start at £320 for a two-night solo retreat and £750 for a four-night group retreat with coaching and extras (note: the writer received one complimentary night).

Fiona McAuslan aims to publish her debut novel in 2027.