Poetry & Place, 2026

Monday 22nd June - Saturday 27th June

5-Day poetry writing course with Jonathan Edwards

Open to locals and those who want to stay with us. Max 12 participants. 8 residential spaces.

What Not to Expect

Golf

Jonathan Edwards was born and brought up in Crosskeys, South Wales. He has an MA in Writing from the University of Warwick, has written speeches for the Welsh Assembly Government and journalism for The Big Issue Cymru, and currently works as an English teacher. He won the Terry Hetherington Award in 2010, was awarded a Literature Wales new writer’s bursary in 2011, and in 2012 won prizes in the Cardiff International Poetry Competition and the Basil Bunting Award. His work has appeared in a wide range of magazines, including Poetry Review, The North, Poetry Wales and the  New Welsh Review. His poetry collection, My Family and Other Superheroes, was published in 2014 and was the winner of that year’s Costa Poetry Award. Gen is his most recent collection, which was  awarded Winner of the People’s Choice Award, Wales Book of the Year 2019.

Victoria Punch

What to Expect

Morning and evening workshops in poetry writing and a half hour 1-2-1 tutorial with Jonathan.

A literary evening with guest speaker, Victoria Punch. Chance to read/perform your work.

Time to write, rest, unwind.

45 acres of woodland and pasture to roam.

Connection with other writers.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. Vegetarian food made using local, in-season produce.

We welcome writers of all description, with previous poetry writing experience or none.

Light evenings.

Field trips to Posbury volcano and Dartmoor National Park, and possibly to North Tawton to see where Sylvia and Ted lived.

Good conversation. Dark chocolate.

Sample Schedule

  • Arrive in time for tea and a tour around the place. Time to rest, settle in. First workshop 6-7pm in the garden. Dinner at 7:30pm in the main house.

  • 8am - help yourself to a buffet breakfast in the main house.

    9.30 am - workshop.

    11:00 - coffee break

    11:30 - workshop.

    1pm - lunch in the main house or in the garden.

    Afternoons free to write, rest, read, walk. Enjoy a wood-fired sauna if enough people want one.

    4-5pm - 1-2-1 with Jon.

    5:30- 6:30 pm - evening workshop

    7:30pm dinner in the main house or in the garden.

  • to be decided on arrival.

  • With guest speaker Victoria Punch. Chance to share work.

  • The course ends on Saturday morning at 10am.

Where to Find Us

We are 20 min drive north east from Exeter and a 10 mins drive (or two hour walk) from the ancient market town of Crediton.

Crediton has a branch-line rail station that will connect you to the mainline stations at Exeter St David’s. We can collect you from Crediton and drop you off again after your retreat.

Closest airports are Exeter, Bristol, London Heathrow. We can collect you from Exeter airport (£45) and there are trains and coaches from Bristol and London Heathrow to Exeter.

If coming by car please use Googlemaps or What3Words with information provided on booking. Please do not use Satnav in this postcode.

Demo Park
123
Demo St, New York, NY 12345

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and book.

Book

  • Walk up Posbury hill (an ancient volcano) or, if you’re feeing fit, into the ancient market town of Crediton. Almost all the walking around us is on single track lanes and quiet roads.

  • There are many shops, including Morrisons, Lidl, and Tesco in Crediton. Also a library, an organic shop and cafes. You can walk if you’re feeling fit. It’ll take you about two hours. Or someone may be driving in so you could get a lift.

  • We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • Walking boots/trainers

    Swimming costume + towel for sauna

    Writing equipment

    Yoga mat if you have/can

    Waterproofs/wet weather gear if it looks like rain.

    Your self, just as you are.

  • Item description

  • No. We do provide beer + wine with an honesty sheet. £2 for a bottle of beer. £2 for a glass of wine.