7 Night Creative Writing & Walking in The Cotswolds
Combine a creative writing workshop with a walking holiday. Designed to help you become the writer you want to be, these breaks are perfect for both absolute beginners and budding authors looking to build their skills, style, and confidence in the stunning surrounds of the Cotswolds. You’ll enjoy a mix of group writing workshops and one-to-one sessions with a published author followed by guided afternoon walks in the great outdoors.
What you’ll love
- Group writing workshops
- One-to-one session with your writing tutor*
- Half-day guided walks with our HF Holidays Leaders
- Free time to relax, write, and explore
- Sharing ideas with like-minded people
* To receive feedback from your tutor during the one-to-one session, you can submit a piece of writing in advance of your holiday. This can be submitted via an online form at least 14 days before your arrival date at the latest. The link for submissions will be included in your booking documents.
What’s included
- Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information available in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival, served from 4.30pm.
Our first workshop will focus on developing ideas and finding inspiration for your written work(s). After lunch, there’s the opportunity to have a one-to-one session with your tutor or enjoy some free time before venturing out on your first guided walk. After dinner, you can join your writing tutor and listen to readings from their own work.
The second workshop of the week focuses on building characters. Again, there’ll be time for one-to-one sessions, but the afternoon and evening are yours to use as you choose. Write, explore, chat with your fellow guests, or simply relax.
Discover more about Harrington House and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.
This morning’s workshop is dedicated to carefully crafting the plot and structure. The afternoon offers another opportunity to enjoy a guided walk in the inspirational landscapes of the Cotswolds. In the evening, join your writing tutor for another reading from their works.
Today we turn our attention to the settings that your characters call home and the world your readers temporarily occupy. Free time is provided in the afternoon so you can further develop your writing or explore the local area independently using the easy-to-follow maps, routes, and information available in our Discovery Point. After dinner, the evening is relaxed and open for you to partake in any house activities or take a well-earned break from the creative process over a drink.
Our final workshop focuses on the dialogue and interactions present in your writing and builds on everything we have discussed so far. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option of a short, guided walk from the house with your HF Holidays Leader. On our final evening together, there’s the opportunity for you to share a short snippet from your own writing with the group. Guests are asked to keep their readings to approximately 500 words to ensure everyone gets an opportunity.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Harrington House
You get the best of all worlds at this Grade II-listed retreat just a skip away from the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water – the impossibly pretty Cotswolds town with chocolate-box cottages, old-fashioned tearooms, and low-arched stone bridges that span the River Windrush. Not only will you be within walking distance of the Cotswold Motoring Museum, the Model Village, and Birdland Wildlife Park & Gardens, but it’s an easy drive from village beauties Broadway and Bibury. For walkers and hikers, there’s no shortage of thrills, especially for those keen to explore the well-trodden trails and paths around the Windrush Valley, Lower and Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire Way, Cotswold Way, and Monarch Way.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Harrington House has 27 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: Rooms 1 and 2 on the first floor for their master bedrooms, original Palladian design, and lovely views. Room 24 in the Windrush Cottage is a large twin room with its own private garden.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Harrington House
Getting to Harrington House
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Harrington House
Sherborne Street
Bourton-on-the-Water
Gloucestershire GL54 2BY
Tel: +44 (0)1451 821213
By train
The nearest station is Moreton-in-Marsh.
However, the nearest mainline station is at Cheltenham Spa.
Check National Rail for train times and routes.
By taxi
From Moreton-in-Marsh, it’s a nine-mile journey taking 20 to 30 minutes.
From Cheltenham Spa, it’s an 18-mile journey taking 35 to 45 minutes.
For pricing, please contact Limozena taxis directly.
Limozena
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Limozena*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1451 820972
Email: denwalmsley@yahoo.co.uk
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Harrington House.
*Limozena is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By bus
The 801 bus goes from Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water and takes about 30 minutes. Alight next to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Shop from where it’s a short walk to Harrington House.
By car
There’s free car parking at Harrington House if you decide to drive.
Directions
From the A429 take the road into the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water. At the war memorial by the village green, turn into Sherborne Street. Cross the narrow bridge and continue to just before the road forks. You’ll find Harrington House on the left.
By air
The nearest airport is London Heathrow Airport.
From the airport
Take the train to London Paddington station from where there are direct trains to Moreton-in-Marsh, which takes just over two hours. Then you can get the bus or a taxi to Bourton-on-the-Water.
For writing
- Paper, pens and/or laptop (and charger) for writing
- Any source or reference material you may require
For walking
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip
- Waterproof and windproof jacket, preferably insulated
- Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Gloves and a warm hat (or sunhat)
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- A small torch
- Sunscreen
- Mobile phone and portable charger
- Watch
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
- Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
- First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
- Sit mat
- Spare pair of socks
- Energy snacks
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
Optional extras
- Walking poles, useful for descents
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Gaiters
- Blister kit
- Waterproof rucksack liner
- Head torch
- GPS device
Harrington House Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Lizzie Enfield
Lizzie Enfield is a journalist and regular contributor to national newspapers, magazines and radio, has written four novels and had short stories broadcast on Radio Four and published in various magazines. She also teaches creative writing and is regular interviewer and panelist on the literary circuit.
Her latest novel Ivy and Abe (published as Elizabeth Enfield) is out now and she is currently working on a 'contemporary Jane Eyre."
Guest reviews
188Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More