“The heart of Devon beats in this place, and in this couple…”Samuel, Antibes, France, Jan 2026

“Thank you for opening up your home and for creating a place that sparks magic.” Rosie, London, UK, May 2026

‘‘There is generosity in this place.’ Najiba, Bristol, UK, May 2026

‘An amazing retreat - such a fabulous combination of stimulating, relaxing, encouraging and inspiring! ‘ Tamsyn, Devon, UK, May 2026

I wanted time to get back to the basics of writing and to share ideas with other writers. I liked the cost, location and the friendly and helpful hosts. We had plenty of time to do independent writing and the mealtimes and two reading evenings provided opportunities for sharing. A chance to escape city life and experience the calm of the country.” Jean, Deer Lake, Newfoundland, May 2026

“The perfect place for anyone seeking time to work on their writing project” Jo, Nottingham, UK May 2026

“I have never written so much in a week, nor eaten as well. I stayed in Nurserymans Cottage, and views from there are astounding, I loved the walks. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with nature and shake city life from my bones. Starting the day with an hour of yoga was a new experience, but Natalie was very gentle with me and I felt rejuvenated, both in body and mind. Watching deer frolic on the hillside was a particular highlight, as was meeting Quique the cat! Natalie and Simon, thank you so, so much for providing such a wonderful place for budding writers like me to flourish. You are two very special people, and I hope to see you both again soon.” Adam, London, UK, May 2026

“A perfect place to switch off, slow down, and focus on writing. I lost the urge to doom scroll. Meals were all freshly prepared and delicious. Morning yoga was a real highlight for me. The sauna and cold plunge were fantastic, especially after a day of writing. Simon and Natalie went out of their way to make sure everyone was looked after.. Great value for money, compared to other retreats. “ Vaqas, Huddersfield, UK, May 2026

“Absolutely lovely retreat. The place is gorgeous, nestled in nature and it gave me a total reset. It was informal and relaxed, giving you time to focus on your own work while feeling supported and looked after with all meals included. The food was also excellent, super healthy - even sugar-free homemade ice-cream! Will definitely go again. Thank you Natalie and Simon!” - Nancy, Bristol, UK, May 2026

I had a great time at Devon Writing Retreats - Natalie and Simon were perfect hosts and took care of all the (delicious vegetarian) food with some extra activities (a walk on the edge of Dartmoor, a supportive evening of readings) thrown in. The environment was gorgeous and the surroundings provided plenty of inspiration. The evening dinners were convivial. The stay was fantastic value l compared to other writing retreats I'd researched. I'd definitely like to come back.” Sabina, London, UK, May 2026

“I found the DYBI course completely inspiring. It helped me turn an idea I liked but wasn't enthused by into something I was excited to write, thanks to the supportive group, Natalie's insightful feedback, and the focused activities that helped me understand what I needed to do. I now feel able to turn my dream of writing a book into a reality!” - Carina , Southampton, UK, Nov 2025

'What a beautiful place to stay. We immediately felt at home here, surrounded by peace, nature, and quiet. The house is full of charm, with authentic wooden beams and a warm, calming atmosphere. We ate outside on the terrace almost every day, exercised in the fresh air, and took countless walks through the authentic countryside. At night, we marvelled at the star-filled skies, the silence of the old trees, and the distant sounds of cows. From the window or from the terrace we regularly saw deer passing by – truly magical." Maarten, Amsterdam, NL, Aug 2025

“I was surprised by how effective and constructive the DYBI workshop was. I expected it to be useful and interesting but it was remarkable how the weekly sessions really pushed me (us all) to improve and develop not just our ideas but our writing. The programme has given me a real sense of motivation and encouragement . I would recommend this programme to all, whatever stage your writing is at.”Susan, Switzerland, Nov 2025

'The place is beautifully kept, spotlessly clean, and full of thoughtful touches that make it feel instantly welcoming. The setting is peaceful and private, yet still close to everything you need in Crediton and the surrounding countryside. The hosts clearly take pride in providing a warm, comfortable experience, and it really shows. ' Kim, UK, Feb 2026

"This course is absolutely invaluable. It was probably the best and most enjoyable experience I've had. I never imagined that I would get so much from it. I've learned so much from it that was relevant to me and my specific style of writing." Find Your Voice 2025 attendee

'The cottage is wonderfully built with an incredible view of the stars from the bed. The scenery is like a storybook. Wake up with a herd of sheep and pass a cozy night next to the fireplace. Finally the hosts are so generous and kind, they made the stay unforgettable.' Victoria, Jan 2026

“Natalie is a brilliant teacher. She is kind and wise and always encouraging. I learnt so much.” Linda Findlay, Find Your Voice, 2026

'Absolutely stunning location and the barn was very spacious and comfortable. Great large bathroom with a powerful shower with a bath. The bedroom has a very comfortable bed and a great view looking out over fields. If you want peace and a place to get away from it all, this is the place. To cap it off, the log burner heats the whole barn to make it extremely cozy. Cannot recommend highly enough.' Mark, Jan 2026

"It was an impulsive decision to sign up for the DYBI course and I'm so glad I did. I felt stuck with my writing and unsure of how to get my book idea to a place where I was excited by it. Now, thanks to Natalie's valuable feedback, the structured exercises, and being part of a warm and encouraging group, I have learned so much about story-telling and that spark of excitement I had has turned into a bright flame!" C Buckley, 2025 Develop Your Book Idea attendee

"This course will push you out of your window of tolerance and help you to grow. The course was friendly, and welcoming, and I got to meet some amazing people." Marcia Banham, 2025 Develop Your Book Idea attendee

"Natalie helped me to discover my own unique voice and mine the rich seam of my own experiences for writing. Thank you, Natalie!" Mira Ho

“Simon and Natalie were very kind and helpful hosts. The place was spotlessly clean, with everything thoughtfully provided.
It was wonderful to do yoga early in the morning next to the balcony in the little valley area it’s located in, surrounded by birdsong and silence. We enjoyed a gorgeous walk around Fingle Bridge and Castle Drogo, which was absolutely stunning, and even had a refreshing wild swim in the river there — highly recommend!' Mandy, Aug 2025

"Natalie helped me to discover my own unique voice and mine the rich seam of my own experiences for writing. Thank you, Natalie!" Mira Ho

"The course has left me eager for more, I suspect I may be looking for support of this nature again soon as the encouragement provided by participating in a small group is invaluable." Find Your Voice 2024 attendee

"Natalie helped me to feel the freedom to unwrap my voice and dare to share." Susan Dudman

"I absolutely loved it. I felt heard and respected and loved the feedback and seeing how it improved my work." Fiona Houston

"I loved the course with Natalie. She made me feel like I could do this. I have come away feeling encouraged as a writer." Diane Woodrow

“Never before have we wanted more: books to read, ideas to seed, and workshops with Natalie.”…Sasha Busbridge, Find your voice, 2026.