Dorset Writers Retreat
Discover Your Creative Spark at our Dorset Writers Retreat
Highlights
- 4-night exclusive writers retreat in the beautiful Mangerton House set in 17 acres of woodland and riverside gardens.
- Daily workshops with Joanna Quinn (fiction) or Manni Coe (non-fiction)
- Suitable for those at every stage of the writing journey – whether you’re just starting out or well under way.
- Wifi throughout the property and a printer
Trip Profile
Duration:
Best Time To Visit:
Tour Dates/Days:
Group Size:
Grade:
Tour Summary
Discover Your Creative Spark at a Writers Retreat in Dorset
Escape to the tranquil surroundings of Mangerton House for an exclusive four-day writers retreat, led by two of today’s most captivating literary voices: Sunday Times bestselling authors Joanna Quinn (fiction) and Manni Coe (non-fiction).
In beautiful surroundings near the historic town of Bridport, this retreat is an opportunity to devote yourself to your writing, whether you’re embarking on a new project or seeking fresh inspiration for a current one.
Limited to 12 participants, the retreat offers a rare chance for intimate workshops and personal guidance from authors who know the highs and challenges of the creative process.
Across these four days, Quinn and Coe will host inspiring and helpful hands-on sessions designed to help you sharpen your writing skills and develop your creative confidence, as well as supportive group workshops with your fellow attendees. The rest of the time is your own for nurturing your creativity.
The retreat is an ideal way to make progress with your on-going project or to start something new.
Mangerton House itself, with its charming architecture and expansive grounds, provides the perfect setting to pause, reflect, and create. Choose from a variety of room options: opulent suite with freestanding bath, King-size ensuite to cosy twin rooms.
The picturesque gardens and serene corners of this beautifully appointed country retreat invite contemplation, offering you space to refine your ideas or recharge with a walk by the river. Whether you’re lounging in the cosy sitting rooms, wood-fired hot tub or enjoying a moment of quiet on the terrace, Mangerton House is a place where creativity flourishes naturally.
In addition to the workshops, you’ll have the chance to hear from a surprise guest author in an evening talk, adding an extra layer of inspiration to the experience. And as you write, you’ll be following in the footsteps of literary greats—this is, after all, Thomas Hardy country, where the Dorset landscape has long influenced writers.
This luxe retreat in a tranquil Dorset valley is your chance to get away from it all, and experience a true rural getaway. Give your busy mind time and space to switch off and your creativity flow in the deep peace of Dorset.
Following a sold-out retreat in Andalucia, this is an unmissable opportunity to connect with your writing, and fellow writers, in one of England’s most literary locations.
Accommodation:
On a first come, first served basis
Room 1 – KING MASTER SUITE ensuite with freestanding bath in the main room
Room 2 – KING ensuite
Room 3 – TWIN ensuite (2 people)
Room 4 – KING ensuite
Room 5 – KING ensuite
Room 6 – KING with private bathroom in the corridor
Rooms 7 and 8 – THE APARTMENT – separate adjoining building with 2 bedrooms (1 KING, 1 TWIN) and shared bathroom (for 2 friends)
Room 9 – KING ensuite (in the barn)
Room 10 – TWIN – ensuite (2 people)
Full Board
About Your Hosts
Joanna Quinn is the author of The Whalebone Theatre, a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. Her novel was shortlisted for Best Debut Fiction at the British Book Awards, The Authors’ Club Best First Novel award, The Society of Authors McKitterick Prize and The Winston Graham Prize for Historical Fiction. It was chosen as a 2022 Book of the Year by The Times, The New York Times, Amazon, The Washington Post, Red magazine and Waterstones.
Joanna has also worked as a journalist and is currently completing her PhD in Creative Writing.
Manni Coe is founder and co-owner of Toma & Coe, and author of the Sunday Times Bestseller brother.do.you.love.me. The book was shortlisted for the British Book Awards 2023 in the category Non-fiction: Narrative. Waterstones selected the book as its Book of the Month in March 2024.
Manni’s love of travel and writing inspired him to create this Writer’s Retreat, so you can grow on your personal writing journey.
More Information
Itinerary
Monday 24th March 2025
Arrive 1-2pm
Late Lunch followed by Introductory Session
Evening Meal with wine
Tuesday
9-12 Morning workshop with Joanna Quinn or Manni Coe with mid-point coffee break
Afternoon for writing
Wednesday
9-12 Morning workshop with Joanna Quinn or Manni Coe with mid-point coffee break
Free writing time
8 pm Surprise Guest Author Speaker
Thursday
9-12 Morning workshop with Joanna Quinn or Manni Coe with mid-point coffee break
Afternoon for writing
Friday 28th March
Check out of room by 10am
Wrap up session
Depart lunchtime
Individual one-on-one sessions with Joanna will be scheduled nearer the time. Workshop outlines are available upon request.
The itinerary is subject to minor timing changes.
FULL BOARD – Breakfast, buffet lunch and 2-course evening meal. Wine is included for Monday’s evening meal. An honesty bar will be provided, or you can bring your favourite tipple and we won’t charge corkage!
Arrival:
1-2 pm on 24th March 2025
The nearest airports are:
Exeter (30 miles)
Bournemouth (40 miles)
Bristol (45miles).
London Heathrow is 128 miles distance.
The nearest train station is Crewkerne, approx. 13 miles.
Departure:
Lunchtime on 28th March 2025
Prices
Room – Price
1 SUITE – £1,700 pp
4 KING SUPERIOR ROOMS ensuite – £1,450 pp
2 TWIN ROOMS – £1,200 pp
2 Rooms in apartment with shared bathroom (for 2 friends) – £1,350 pp
1 King private bathroom – £1,350 pp
All rooms, except the twins, have double beds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the writers retreat for fiction or non-fiction writers?
It’s for both. Joanna Quinn is the bestselling author of The Whalebone Theatre and will lead the daily workshops. Manni Coe is the Sunday Times Bestseller author of brother.do.you.love.me, a memoir, and is on-hand for advice and guidance on crafting your non-fiction.
Will all the writing workshops be relevant to me?
When you sign up, we will send you a quick survey to complete so we can tailor the workshops to suit everyone’s needs.
Is wine/alcohol included in the price?
Welcome drinks, and wine for the first evening are included in the Full Board price. However, other wine or alcohol is not included. There will be an honesty bar available, or feel free to bring your own supply!
Is there private space for me to write?
Each room has its own writing desk. There is also the chance to explore the grounds and find yourself a quiet space to contemplate and write if that’s what you’d like.
Do I have to be an experienced writer or have started a work to join the writers retreat?
No, the Dorset Writers Retreat is for writers of all stages. Whether you have a germ of an idea or are part way through your work, or simply want time away to learn more about the art of writing, this is the retreat for you.
Reviews
★★★★★
This was the trip of a lifetime.
The time I enjoyed to create and write on my own in this majestic setting was balanced perfectly with workshops and connection with other writers from all throughout the world. Joanna poured her soul into her lessons to us and handled our work with care and precision. Manni shared openly from his works in the past, present and future, while deeply investing in each one of us. I will never forget my time here and I WILL – mark my words- be doing another one!
Transformational!
The Writers Retreat in Gaucin was truly inspiring and a real opportunity to learn how to improve our individual writing skills. Friendships were forged as stories were shared. It was a week I would repeat in a heartbeat.
Writing Retreat in Gaucin, Spain
Thanks to Toma & Coe, the writing retreat I attended was superb. Everything, including the inn, La Fructuosa, that we stayed at, the excellent meals, and the scenic views was orchestrated to perfection. Our days were well-organized with a blend of workshops led by Joanna Quinn, talks given by Manni Coe, private coaching, and time off to write, walk, and share our writing with fellow writers. It was an amazing week!
Express yourself through writing
I’ll never forget the week I spent at Toma and Coe’s Andalucian writers’ retreat. We came together for one week in the lovely village of Gaucin in Andalucia, Spain. It didn’t matter how far along you were in your writing project, or if you even had one at all. The sharing, the feedback, the encouragement in a safe and inclusive space, and the support that has continued even though the retreat has ended, was genuine and unforgettable. During the workshops and free creative time, we were able to freely express ourselves, and in turn, thrive. If you’re looking for a top-notch writers’ retreat, I’d recommend Toma and Coe without reserve.
Truly Exceptional Writers’ Retreat
I had little idea of what to expect from this Writers’ Retreat in Andalucia. But if I’d been asked to create my ideal cocktail of like-minded souls, expert tuition, and delicious food in an unpretentiously beautiful location, this would have been it. We were housed in the wonderful Hotel La Fructuosa in Gaucin, a jewel of a village high in the hills of Southern Spain. Rooms were completely individual, beautifully decorated with antique furniture and the views down to Gibraltar were unparalleled. The sun soon burned through the early morning mists revealing blue skies and sunshine warm enough to enable Al fresco lunches on the terrace … in November! Led by Joanna Quinn (The Whalebone Theatre) and Manni Coe (Brother. do. you. love.me) the retreat featured workshops dealing with various writers’ blocks, free time for writing and exploring the village and surrounds, and meals together, beautifully prepared by Daniel’s talented team. I cannot recommend the Writers’ Retreat highly enough and cannot wait for another opportunity.
Destination Guides
Share this trip
As Seen In
