BESPOKE
Writer's retreat
Join me for a three day, one-to-one writing retreat in the heart of York, UK — an alternative to group writing retreats where everything is shaped around your creative needs.
Imagine three days of distraction free writing, overflowing inspiration and deep support from a writing mentor + teacher.
Here are a few ways a 1:1 writing retreat can support you:
Have an existing writing project?
If you’re in the midst of a novel, memoir, poetry collection, or any other writing project and you're feeling stuck or uncertain, a one-to-one retreat can help you to find your way.
Together, we’ll identify and navigate your writing challenges. I can provide fresh insight and, of course, lots of personalised feedback and support. You’ll leave with renewed focus, practical strategies for moving your project forward, and the confidence to continue your writing journey with clarity, energy, and inspiration.
Trying to start a new writing project?
Sometimes the hardest part of writing is getting started. This can be a challenge for both experienced writers, who may feel the pressure to follow up a previous success, and new writers, who are uncertain about how to begin their first project.
Perhaps you have ideas swirling around in your mind but you're struggling to decide which one to choose. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by expectations—internal or external. A one-to-one retreat offers the space to untangle these uncertainties, explore possibilities, and experiment with different approaches without judgment.
Want deep creative rest and to foster a consistent personal writing practice?
Maybe your goals are nothing to do with publishing professional work and more about carving out a sanctuary for your creativity, slowing down, and finding calm in the midst of a busy life.
Over three days, you’ll be able to explore writing as a restorative practice—without deadlines, pressure, or expectation. You’ll discover a safe container to explore your feelings, rediscover joy and your creative curiosity. You’ll leave feeling grounded, restored and energised with strategies to continue to nurture yourself, even when life is challenging.
We’ll co-design your writing retreat to create the space that you need. You won’t need to fit in with anyone else’s timetable. You’ll have time to rest as well as write and you’ll return home with new enthusiasm for your creative practice.
Why you’ll love the fairytale city of York
The historic and atmospheric city of York is just a two-hour train ride from London, and the gateway to the moors and dales of the North Yorkshire National Parks, with their spectacular scenery, friendly people, picturesque towns and fantastic food.
In York, there are curious things to see at every turn. Explore York’s snickelways and secrets, and its many layers of history, which have inspired so many writers over the centuries. You’ll never be short of inspiration.
Walk the city walls, take a boat trip along the River Ouse or treat yourself to the finest North Yorkshire has to offer in the wonderful cafés and restaurants.
For writers and creatives, York is more than a destination—it’s a living, breathing muse. Every alleyway, historic building, and quiet corner offers a spark of imagination, a story waiting to be discovered, and the perfect backdrop for reflection, writing, and deep creative work.
What your Writer's
Retreat might look like
Every one-to-one writers retreat is bespoke, but a typical schedule may unfold something like this:
Day 1
Arrival & Settling In
Arrive in the beautiful city of York and walk or take a short taxi ride to your accommodation. (York is compact, welcoming, and easy to navigate.)
We’ll meet in the evening and head to a special writing venue, where we’ll spend a couple of focused hours working with the activities we’ve agreed in advance.
Afterwards, you might enjoy dinner in one of York’s excellent restaurants, or use the evening to continue writing in your own time.
Day 2
Mentoring Day
We’ll meet for our next one-to-one mentoring and writing session, reviewing new work you’ve produced and exploring prompts or exercises tailored specifically to you and your project.
We’ll take a break — perhaps walking the city walls or sharing lunch — allowing space for conversation, reflection, and fresh insight. The rest of the day is yours, with plenty of uninterrupted time to write, rest, or explore the city.
Day 3
Closing Session
On our final day, we’ll meet for a closing writing session to review and celebrate the progress you’ve made and to gently plan your next steps.
There will be time to enjoy more of York or to venture further afield into the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, nearby towns, or along the coast — carrying your renewed clarity and creative energy with you.
Hear from other retreaters!
‘Sophie is a brilliant writing coach.
She is very intuitive and has a way of identifying what’s needed to strengthen your work very quickly. She helped me to do more writing in three days than I’ve ever done before.”
Walter Mérida, MeridaLabs
‘I would highly recommend Sophie as a book coach.
She instils self belief and confidence and she has the gift of encouragement!”
Rebecca Garnett
Sophie Nicholls is an inspiration!
She has been a part of my writing journey for several years now, and I have trusted her with my ideas and writing. Sophie is an outstanding teacher with deep domain knowledge of the craft of writing. She is kind, gentle and nurturing.”
Peter Shah, Peter Shah Strategic Solutions
FAQs
Can you book my accommodation for me?
No. I will make lots of suggestions and then you’re free to choose something that best fits your budget, tastes and circumstances. We can even make sure that you have your booking firmed up before agreeing your retreat dates.
Can I do this retreat with a friend?
Yes, I’m happy to design something that works for two people travelling and staying together. However, I will need to work with you individually on your own personal writing, so please bear in mind that you’ll need to plan for individual writing sessions for each of you in your retreat timetable
Is York an accessible city?
Let’s talk! Some parts of York are very old with cobbled streets and high kerbs. Some buildings are not wheechair friendly. I want to ensure that my retreats are accessible to everyone and I can advise you about where to stay and how to ensure you can get the most out of your experience.
What is your cancellation policy?
All cancellation requests for paid bookings and events must be made in writing and sent via email to sophie@sophienicholls.com
Cancellation fees will be deducted from the full price on the following basis:
- More than 6 months from the retreat start: 100% refund
- Outside 90 days from the start: 75% refund
- Between 89-30 days from the start: 50% refund
- 29-7 days from the start: 25% refund
- Within 7 days from the start: no refund.
Because of the bespoke nature of the retreat and the time I spend preparing it, it is not possible to transfer your booking to another person.
It may be possible for me to hold your fees as credit towards a future retreat.
If the retreat has to be cancelled due to circumstances beyond my control, I will refund your money in full.
Do I need to prepare for the retreat?
The emphasis is on rest, fun and exploration, so I won’t assign any pre-work. However, we’ll discuss any reading that you might find helpful in our initial planning Zoom call.
What do I need to bring?
Please bring your favourite writing materials – notebook and pens, not just your laptop. You may also like to bring comfortable walking shoes and clothes for our unpredictable Yorkshire weather.
What happens after the retreat?
Ever been on a retreat to find that, all too soon, you’re back in everyday reality, grappling with the same old problems and ‘stuckness’?When you return home, I’ll follow up with a personalised plan designed to help you to integrate what you’ve learned into your everyday life.
How do I get started?
Ready to find out more? Complete this short welcome questionnaire designed to help me to get to know more about you and your writing. If I think that my one-to-one writing retreat is a good fit for what you’re looking for, I’ll ask you to pay a deposit of £250 and we’ll schedule a Zoom call to plan your itinerary and discuss possible dates. You’ll then book your accommodation and travel and I’ll ask you to pay the remainder of the retreat fee.
Ready to write, reflect, and be inspired?
Complete this short welcome questionnaire designed to help me to get to know more about you and your writing. If I think that my one-to-one writing retreat is a good fit for what you’re looking for, I’ll ask you to pay a deposit of £250 and we’ll schedule a Zoom call to plan your itinerary and discuss possible dates.
You’ll then book your accommodation and travel and I’ll ask you to pay the remainder of the retreat fee.
Investment: £1,250