Those early post-Christmas months at the start of the year can be bleak for many of us, but in January 2026, I finished the month on such a high, as I had just completed my first all-inclusive residential art retreat, and oh boy did it go well! Beyond my dreams.
Having never hosted an event like this before, I was nervous about bringing together such a diverse group, but the way everyone connected and grew artistically truly amazed me. I had 11 guests who arrived on a Friday from very different walks of life, with different levels of artistic experience. Many were familiar faces, and some new faces joining us also. All left that weekend with the same feeling: that rare luxury of having time, space and encouragement to focus on creativity, friendship and enjoyment — without distraction.
It wasn’t about escaping life. It was about pressing pause in the best possible way.
Set within three beautiful adjoining Character Cottages on North Hill, Exmoor. These Picturesque cottages are run by Lucy Green and her team. The accommodation was warm and comfortable, the food by the talented chef Annie Davey, (yes the artist Leo Davey’s wife), was delicious and thoughtfully prepared to all tastes and dietary requirements, and the atmosphere was warm, relaxed and welcoming.
Lucy and I designed the experience to allow everyone to focus entirely on creativity, conversation and enjoyment, without having to organise a thing.
One guest summed it up perfectly when they said, “Nothing ever felt like too much trouble.”
After settling in, we all gathered before supper in the one cottage named “The Old Sweet Shop” for an informal glass of fizz, and I introduced everyone attending the retreat. I gave a ‘show and tell’ of the weekend project, titled ‘Where the Land Meets the Sea,’ which captured my year’s creative works on abstracting the local landscapes. I talked about how simple lines and marks are used to inform, develop and generate ideas in the style of a landscape. In my talk I wanted to encourage the belief and confidence in oneself, that with some guidance, the letting go of preconceived ideas of how art should be, and some little tricks, we can all create artwork.
I set up a working studio at the spacious and well-equipped village Hall in Timberscombe and arranged taxis to ferry us back and forth, so no one had to even worry about driving there.
Guests spoke warmly about the clarity of instruction, the quality of materials supplied, and the way everyone received equal attention and encouragement. What stood out most in the feedback was confidence. Several guests described a new sense of confidence in what they created — some for the very first time — and left with artwork that now has pride of place at home. One guest, who had never painted before, proudly showed off their finished piece and said, ‘I never thought I could do this.’ Moments like these made the retreat truly special.”
That sense of achievement, shared and celebrated within the group, became one of the defining joys of the weekend for me.
During our 3-night, 4-day stay, we ate amazing food, drank fizz, and enjoyed conversations and laughs around the dinner table. We celebrated Burns Night with an authentic Scottish poem read by a Glaswegian in his beautiful accent, participated in an Arts quiz, and even visited the Paper Mill at East Quay Arts Centre in Watchet on Saturday morning.
I leave you with a lovely message (one of so many) from Jan
“Dear Gary, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the retreat in Minehead at the weekend. It was just first class from the moment we arrived until we left on Monday. The accommodation was so comfortable, spotlessly clean and very welcoming, driving up the hill to see all the lights on in the cottages was like a picture postcard. The food was remarkable and plentiful and of the very best quality. Nothing felt like it was too much trouble Lucy and the team are to be thanked and congratulated.
Then we come to the artistic endeavour, as always you led the way with careful instruction ensuring every level of ability was given equal attention. Having a workstation set out at the hall in Timberscombe was great and the materials provided gave me inspiration. It was wonderful to mix with like-minded people and share stories and life experiences. I was so proud of the work I produced, and it currently has pride of place in our sitting room. This not something I have achieved before.
I really hope to be able to join you next year and see familiar faces and visit some more fabulous places.
Kind regards
Jan”
