Rydal Hall
About
2026 TBC
Rydal Hall is set in over thirty acres of garden, woodland and natural beauty in the Lake District UNESCO World Heritage Site. This grand yet understated country manor affords uplifting views over the Rothay valley and, with the Fairfield Horseshoe and Nab Scar as a backdrop, Rydal Hall and its grounds are the perfect place to enjoy this beautiful part of the world. Imagine sitting in your cosy bedroom looking out over the Lake District finding inspiration in the same views that animated Wordsworth, Keats, Ruskin and Beatrix Potter.
With a choice of bedrooms and accommodation options the our offer will suit a range of budgets, whilst food, comfort and conversation will not be comprised. You will find a choice of places to get on with your writing, be it the old library, the grotto which overlooks the waterfall torrent(where Wordsworth found inspiration), the onsite pub, adjacent cafe and your own bedroom.
Writing is what we are here for and, as the schedule shows, we will get on with it in a practical and uncomplicated way. There are opportunities for feedback but no pressure to read out work-in-progress. The optional workshops and one-to-one coaching offer opportunities to explore craft and process, with an intention to both focus and accelerate your work and deepen your thinking. Our facilitators will provide advice and feedback on your writing, if that is what you wish, bringing different perspectives and approaches.
Jonathan will host this retreat along with facilitators who are experienced authors and coaches themselves. They will be able to support your specific project whether that is writing a blog, fiction or non-fiction book, memoir, article, dissertation, poems or journal.
Sir Thomas le Fleming and his family built the first Rydal Hall at St John's Knott in 1409. Although this site was defensible and remote it became too cramped as the family grew in importance. In 1600 William Fleming (the le prefix being dropped in the Tudor wars with France) built the Hall on the present site. Rydal Hall was passed down through the Fleming family and in 1757 the fourth baronet Sir Michael assumed the original family name of le Fleming. It was Sir Michael who built the Georgian south wing which is the modern front of Rydal Hall in 1789.
After the death of the last Squire le Fleming, the Hall was let from the 1940s. During the Second World War, it was used as a school. Later Rydal Hall was let as a hotel and then in 1963, it was let to the Diocese of Carlisle as a Retreat House as a place of hospitality, tranquillity and spirituality for all.
Thanks to the efforts of Right Reverend S.C. Bulley (Bishop of Carlisle 1966 - 1972) and after a protracted period of negotiation, in 1970 the Diocese of Carlisle purchased Rydal Hall and 30 acres of the surrounding land.
Cosy Accommodation
The bedrooms aresimply furnished with a feeling of peace and tranquillity.
Although there are no televisions in rooms they do have good WiFi, or simply take in the Lakeland views for that ultimate digital detox.
The Garden View rooms have astounding views over our Thomas Mawson award winning gardens and to the valley beyond whilst other rooms offer views of the surrounding woodlands or mountains.
There are many quirky and quiet spaces at Rydal where you will have the opportunity to relax and reflect- such as our oak panelled Library, intimate chapel or a visit to The Grot.
We're delighted to offer a choice of single beds, twin and double rooms.
Registration & Cost
To register and for any questions about the Retreat, write to miriam@pelumbra.com
The fees include:
· Writing workshops and advice sessions
· Accommodation for 4 nights/5 days
· All your meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
· Morning and afternoon refreshments
· Use of wi-fi, sitting rooms, library, gardens, and local know-how
Fees
Please note we will add VAT to the prices shown below.
Single room £1,000
Twin room (Single Occupancy) £1200
Twin room (Double Occupancy) £1800
Double room (Single Occupancy) £1400
Double room (Double Occupancy) £2200
Superior double room (Single Occupancy) £1500
Superior double room (Double Occupancy) £2500
Fees do not include airfare, travel insurance, additional accommodations or personal expenses.
Food
Our chefs will provide us with a mix of meat and vegetarian / vegan meals for the week.
Exploring the grounds at Rydal
Designed and built by renowned landscape architect Thomas Mawson, the formal gardens are a fine example of Arts and Crafts design in a wonderful setting. The Grot, or grotto, was built in 1668 by Sir Daniel Fleming and designed as a place to frame and enjoy the spectacular Rydal Falls. It is one of Britain’s earliest examples of a viewing station. William Wordsworth was particularly fond of the Grot, writing about it in one of his earlier poems ‘An Evening Walk’ and visiting with his nephew shortly before his death.
