Creative Writing Retreat

Retreat Programme

The Retreat starts at 6pm on Saturday 14th August with an introductory session followed by a candlelit dinner at 7pm. You are welcome to check in to your room from 2pm on your day of arrival.

The Retreat will officially close after lunch on Friday 20th August, although a writing room will still be available to you should you wish to continue writing in the afternoon.

Join tutor-led writing sessions

You can start your day by joining fellow participants at the optional tutor-led writing exercises. If you wish to make the most of the opportunities available, there are plenty of chances to share ideas and experiences, but the days are yours for self-directed work on your own projects in this inspirational setting.

Optional writing workshops are held in the mornings, 9.00-10.00am

Stunning environment

Located just a short distance from Cambridge, Madingley Hall, renowned for its award-winning cuisine, is set in quiet and idyllic grounds. The picturesque gardens (designed by the famous ‘Capability’ Brown), are perfect for strolling in and letting the imagination wander; the historic Hall is conducive to quiet study. Bedrooms are all en suite, with writing desks and free wi-fi; a quiet room will also be available to all writers.

1:1 supervisions

If your writing would benefit from some fine-tuning and professional feedback, why not sign up for a 1:1 supervision with one of our specialist tutors? For an additional fee of £65 per hour you can book supervisions with any of the following ICE Creative Writing tutors. These supervisions are optional and it is advisable to book in advance (we will send you details of how to do this when you sign up), however there may be opportunities to book supervisions once you are here.

SARAH BURTON in writing fiction (for adults or children) or non-fiction

Sarah's publications are diverse, including two critically acclaimed biographies, Impostors: Six Kinds of Liar (2000; translated into Korean, Japanese, Czech and Spanish) and A Double Life: a Biography of Charles and Mary Lamb (2003; shortlisted for the Mind Book of the Year award); a children’s book, The Miracle in Bethlehem: A Storyteller’s Tale (2008), and a page-to-stage guide, How to Put on a Community Play (2011). Her spoof, The Complete and Utter History of the World By Samuel Stewart, Aged 9, was published by Short Books in 2013. She also writes short stories and has written and produced seven community plays. Sarah teaches on a wide range of creative writing courses at ICE and established and was Course Director of the Masters programme until 2017.

JEM POSTER in writing fiction, non-fiction or poetry

Jem Poster is Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing, Aberystwyth University. He is the author of two novels, Courting Shadows (2002) and Rifling Paradise (2006), as well as a collection of poetry, Brought to Light (2001), and has recently completed volume 3 of the six-volume Oxford University Press Edward Thomas: Prose Writings (2018). He has been Chair of the editorial board of Wales’s leading literary journal, New Welsh Review and Programme Advisor to Cambridge University’s MSt in Creative Writing; he is currently an Affiliated Lecturer of Cambridge University’s Institute of Continuing Education, and Director of its Summer Programme in Creative Writing.

ELIZABETH SPELLER in writing fiction, non-fiction or poetry

Elizabeth’s novels include The Return of Captain John Emmett (Orange Book of the Month, Richard & Judy pick) and At Break of Day (CNY State One Read 2015 in the US). They are published in eight countries. Her non-fiction includes Following Hadrian (Hodder/OUP US) and a memoir, The Sunlight on the Garden (Granta). She was short-listed for the Forward Prize for Poetry and provided the libretto for Michael Berkeley's work Farewell, written in memory of Sir Paul McCartney's wife Linda. She has taught at Cambridge, Bristol and Birmingham Universities. She was Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Warwick and is currently completing a further novel for Virago. She teaches on the Certificate, Diploma and MSt Creative Writing courses at ICE.

CRAIG BAXTER in writing for stage, screen or radio

Craig is a dramatist writing primarily for the stage but also for screen and radio. Most recently: Eight Days That Made Rome (Channel 5, October Films), Little Big Band (school musical), Jigsaw Pieces (Junction Cambridge), Lady Anna: All at Sea (Park Theatre, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Bath Theatre Royal), Pictures of You (Cambridge Science Festival), The Man Who Walked Through Walls (Perse Girls), Somniloquy (Hotbed Festival, Soho Theatre), Let Newton Be! (Faraday Institute, Cambridge, El Paso), Re:Design (Darwin Correspondence Project, Madrid, Berlin, Istanbul), Like Confessing a Murder (BBC Radio 3), Monogamy (Riverside Studies, BBC Radio 4). His play The Altruists won the fourth international Stage Script Competition for Best New Play About Science or Technology. Craig is a supervisor on the Creative Writing MSt at ICE.

What our students say

‘This has been a very special, inspirational and guiding experience. A real privilege to be in this hall with such amazing tutors and colleagues. Did I die somewhere? Have I gone to heaven?’  - Mark Parkhouse

‘The retreat is my 4th time coming. Every time just as special. I have got and always get so much out of this. The one-to-ones were marvellous and helpful as always and my writing, my confidence in my writing and my social confidence is stronger each time.’ - Penny Tarrant

’The organisation, tutors and staff were genuinely interested in making sure I had a most brilliant experience. I got expert feedback and edited 13 chapters of my 1st draft. Bravo! The grounds are excellent too!' - Sabine Adeyinka

'I would recommend this to any writer - novice or experienced - a real sense of community.' - Romola Parish

'Warmly held. Great group of people, so very enjoyable and conducive to productivity.' - Susie Harris

'The morning sessions tackle some of the key issues writers face, and produce tips that can really help. The opportunity to have one-to-one sessions with experienced writers is invaluable. I was planning to achieve a great deal on the retreat, and I achieved even more than that.' - Helen Baker

'I live in central London and am used to sleeping to the sound of police sirens but I very quickly got used to the valuable peace and quiet prevalent here and of course loved working in your impeccably beautiful gardens. I brought two stories with me to finish and finish them I did.' - Jane Carmedy

'Everything was beautifully arranged and the Staff in Madingley Hall were wonderful and gracious.' - Meera Prahlad

'All in all it has been an amazing experience: surprising and life changing.' - Blanka Pesja

Dietary requirements

If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies please inform our Admissions Team on ice.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746262 if you have not already advised us of your requirements.

Additional requirements

ICE is committed to providing equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality. We aim to support and encourage under-represented groups, promote an inclusive culture, and value diversity.

Further information about student support.

Entry requirements

No academic qualification is required of applicants, and the Retreat is suitable for students who are new to the subject.

All teaching is in English (unless a foreign-language course). If your first language is not English, you need to satisfy yourself that you have the required near-native command of the language to get the maximum benefit from studying with ICE.

This Retreat takes place at Madingley Hall, home to the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education.

As a writer on Retreat at Madingley Hall, you will enjoy award-winning meals in an atmospheric and inspiring setting. Lunches will be served in our elegant Dining Hall and every evening you will come together as a group and meet for a candlelit dinner in the historic panelled library - the Stuart Room - which is also where the optional morning tutor-led sessions take place.

About Madingley Hall

Built in the 16th century, Madingley Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, and is set in eight acres of landscaped gardens designed in the 18th century by ‘Capability’ Brown. It is just four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and only 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports.

Getting here

We operate a free shuttle-bus service which runs between the Railway Station and Madingly Hall.

For more information see How to find us or contact the reception desk at ICE.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in single, twin or double study bedrooms in the Hall, with attractive views over the woods, gardens and courtyard. 

Each room has internet access, digital television and a direct-dial telephone, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities and a safe for your valuables. Rooms are centrally heated and all have en-suite facilities.

A special lift gives access to two rooms adapted for wheelchair users, and all areas on the ground floor can be reached once inside the building. If you would like us to make any special provision for your stay, please contact us beforehand and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

We are usually able to offer accommodation before and after your course should you wish to extend your stay. Please indicate if you would like to stay an extra night when booking your place.