Thorney How Reading Retreat
19 - 22 February 2027 · Grasmere, Lake District
A long weekend of books, beautiful surroundings, seasonal food and time to yourself.
Our Reading Retreat is set at the foot of Helm Crag, nestled at the end of the Easedale Valley, on the peaceful outskirts of Grasmere. It is a weekend for people who love books and would quite like a few days for themselves.
Come for the reading. Stay for the landscape, the food and the gentle rhythm.
A retreat at your own pace
This isn’t a weekend for filling every hour.
There are things to do if you want them: explore Grasmere, browse bookshops, wander through the landscape, join an optional walk, settle in for a long meal, or spend an evening talking books over drinks.
But there is no pressure to do any of it.
You can join the group for brunch and disappear with your book afterwards.
You can spend an afternoon exploring.
Or you can find a quiet corner and read until dinner.
There is no right way to do a Reading Retreat.
The weekend is deliberately unhurried, giving you the rare opportunity to slow down, read properly and enjoy being somewhere beautiful without having to make the most of every minute.
What’s included
Your personal reading selection
Before you arrive, we will ask about your reading tastes and the kinds of books you are drawn to.
In collaboration with The Book Brewery, an independent bookshop in Ambleside, a book selection will be curated especially for you.
Your home at the foot of Helm Crag
Stay at Thorney How, surrounded by the dramatic landscape of the Lake District, you will be immersed in a landscape of rugged fells, green valleys, stone walls, woodland and winding country lanes. It is a quiet place to retreat, breathe and take in the scenery, while still being within easy reach of Grasmere village.
It is the kind of setting where you can wake slowly, step outside with your morning coffee, settle down with a book by the fire or head out into the valley for a walk.
A place to make yourself at home, switch off and let the weekend unfold around you.
Beautifully appointed rooms
We have both twin rooms and private rooms available. Twin rooms are £625 per person and can only be booked by guests attending with someone they already know and would like to share with.
If you are attending alone, you can book a private room for £750.
All rooms are ensuite.
Food worth lingering over
Food is a big part of the weekend.
Relaxed grazing boards on the Friday evening.
A late Saturday morning brunch.
Saturday night supper of Wagtail pies, followed by Cartmel sticky toffee pudding.
Sunday begins with a relaxed continental breakfast.
Followed by soup and fresh bread for lunch.
In the evening, we will gather for a special storytelling meal prepared by The Lone Wolf Chef.
Thoughtfully prepared food and refreshments will be available throughout your stay.
Dietary requirements will be collected in advance so we can work with our catering partners to accommodate them wherever reasonably possible.
Time to read
There will be plenty of unstructured time throughout the weekend.
No compulsory workshops.
No packed schedule.
No expectation that you need to be doing something.
Just uninterrupted time with books and comfortable places to read.
Literary Grasmere
Grasmere is woven into the history of English literature and the landscape around it has inspired writers for generations.
You will have the opportunity to explore the village and its literary connections, including Sam Read’s, cosy cafés and places of interest. We will provide recommendations of our favourite places to visit, wander and settle in.
For those who fancy going further afield, there will also be the option to arrange your own transport into Ambleside and beyond.
Walks and the landscape
You can head out into the valley, take in the fells and enjoy the landscape at a slower pace.
For anyone who wants to get outside, there will be optional walks through the surrounding countryside, with a planned Sunday morning walk into Easedale.
The walks are entirely optional.
If your ideal morning involves staying inside with a coffee and a book, that’s absolutely fine too.
Small by design
Our retreats are intentionally intimate.
You can get to know people.
You can keep to yourself.
You can do a bit of both.
An outline for the weekend
Friday
Arrive from 5pm, enjoy a welcome drink and settle into your room. Then take some time to discover your curated reading selection before gathering for a relaxed evening and plenty of time to unwind.
Saturday
An unhurried morning, with a generous brunch.
The afternoon is yours.
Explore Grasmere, arrange a trip to Ambleside, take a walk, browse books and find somewhere for coffee.
Or simply read.
Later, we will gather for an evening supper.
Sunday
A gentle morning walk along into Easedale for those who would like to join.
Then the afternoon allows time to yourself.
In the evening, we will gather for a special dinner prepared by The Lone Wolf Chef: a storytelling menu to mark our final night together.
Monday
Checkout at 9.30am. Breakfast will be delivered to your room to enable you to take your last morning in Grasmere at your own pace.
Allow yourself one last wander through Grasmere or head into Ambleside before making your way home.
This is for you if…
You like the idea of slowing down properly.
You like the idea of spending a few days in the heart of the Lake District.
You appreciate time to pause in the landscape.
You love books but rarely get uninterrupted time to read.
You enjoy quality food made with local ingredients.
You want the option of company without the obligation of conversation.
Book your place on our February Reading Retreat
We cannot wait to welcome you.
Wondering what to expect?
Head to our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to the questions we get asked most often.
