Writers often have a favourite spot to write to avoid the dreaded writer’s block, and luckily for us, many of our favourite author’s spots are still standing and listed.
Here, we look at seven of our favourite writer’s retreats.
1. The writing hut of Henry Williamson in Georgeham, Devon
For many writers, the ambience in which they work matters.
This writing hut was built by Henry Williamson in 1929 from the proceeds of ‘Tarka the Otter’, and he went on to write more than 50 novels in this simple yet characterful writing sanctuary.
2. T.S. Eliot’s seaside shelter in Margate, Kent
Some locations are used only fleetingly. T.S. Eliot was in Margate for three weeks in the autumn of 1921 as part of a rest cure following a mental breakdown.
In a letter, he wrote that he had started work on the poem ‘The Waste Land’ during his stay, some of which we know was written in this shelter.
3. George Bernard Shaw’s garden hut in Ayot St. Lawrence, Hertfordshire
Dubbed ‘London’, the name of George Bernard Shaw’s writing hut was chosen so that his staff would not be lying when they said he had ‘gone to London’.
He wrote numerous plays here, including ‘Pygmalion’ in 1912.
4. Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top near Sawrey, Cumbria
Beatrix Potter enjoyed country holidays and decided to buy her own rural retreat, Hill Top.
She often wrote here and illustrated this house in many books, including ‘The Tale of Tom Kitten’, ‘The Tale of Samuel Whiskers’ and ‘The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck’.
In 1908, she left the farm to our friends, the National Trust, in whose care it remains today.
5. Vita Sackville-West’s tranquil tower near Cranbrook, Kent
While some writers prefer humble huts, Vita Sackville-West chose this impressive tower at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent.
Best known for her works ‘The Edwardians’ (1930) and ‘All Passion Spent’ (1931), the novelist and poet had the tower elegantly restored to provide a room from where she could write.
6. Virginia Woolf’s writing workshop in Lewes, East Sussex
This picturesque writing shed lies in Virginia Woolf’s rural retreat garden in the Monk’s House, East Sussex, which she used from 1919 onwards.
During this time, she published works including ‘Night and Day’ (1919) and ‘Mrs Dalloway’ (1925).
7. Lawrence of Arabia’s country cottage in Wareham, Dorset
T. E. Lawrence’s last home seems an appropriate site to end with.
Lawrence lived at Clouds Hill cottage between 1925 and his death in 1935, when he wrote his last works whilst receiving regular visitors, including Thomas Hardy.
Today, the cottage is open to the public and remains precisely as he left it.
Further reading
That’s a great article Henry. And I bet its fun working for English Heritage. I do most of my writing in my armchair in my front room. You can come and take a photo of me if you like.
Fun to see this collection – and I’ll take the tower, please!
Interesting article and I am planning a move to another house nearby with a room that overlooks a playing field, then a steam railway and then the Bristol Channel! Kensal Green Cemetery in West London has a chapel under the wing of English Heritage and when my daughter died in 1990 the funeral service was held there. Its very plain on the outside but has a good interior and looks out onto an avenue lined with older graves and tombs that I have quite often seen in BBC programmes as its not far from the old tv studios at Shepherds Bush.
So glad I signed up with this website! Enjoy all that comes my way. Have to go to Hill Top!!!
What a wonderful list. Love that George Bernard Shaw called his hut ‘London’.
Hill Top or the elegant tower, please. “London” looks a bit claustrophobic.
Reblogged this on Sleepy Book Dragon and commented:
Does anyone have their own Writers Retreats? What makes it perfect for you to write?
Reblogged this on BRIDGET WHELAN writer and commented:
I was due to hold a one day workshop in Virginia Woolf’s home in the autumn, buit have been forced to put out. But I can tell you that Monks House is worth a visit. The writing room and gardens are enchanting and inside it feels as thouigh she has just popped out…
Reblogged this on MARSocial Author Business Enhancement Interviews.
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog….. An Author Promotions Enterprise! and commented:
AUTHORS – In case you feel you need one 😀
these are fabulous. thanks for sharing them. i think every writer needs a ‘retreat’ even if it is in a room or a corner in their own house, their bed, or their garage. i love beatrix potter’s and lawrence of arabia’s here the best –
Aren’t these all wonderful. Makes me want to clear out our shed and furnish it. It’s big enough. These are all inspiring. 🙂
Beautiful and interesting. What more can one say?
Thanks for this lovely post.
Was not that inspired by Clouds Hill. It’s bloody dark, and the living conditions were pretty rough.
Charles Dickens’ Swiss Chalet should also be on this list. The chalet was presented to the author in 1864 by his French actor friend and arrived at Higham Station as probably one of the first ever ‘DIY’ flat packs. The author wrote several novels in this chalet when it was sited at his home, Gad’s Hill Place in Higham. The chalet is now located in Rochester, Kent.
Really interesting. Next time I lack sufficient inspiration and motivation I will get along to Margate.
awesome spoken…….
So fascinating that writers have the same attitudes. I also write in a same seaside garden house.