Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a writer to come to Foxes’ Retreat?

Absolutely not! We welcome everyone who wants to spend time respectfully in the countryside of the Peak District. We have a self-contained three bedroomed apartment called The Hayloft, which you can use as a base to explore the local area. It has a fully equipped kitchen, a separate lounge and a bathroom all accessed from its own separate entrance.

Will everybody else already be a published author on my Writing Retreat?

No, not at all. The joy of writing is what brings us all together. The atmosphere at Foxes’ Retreat is one to nurture and develop at all levels - we have writers who are published, yes, and we have novelists who are on their third or fourth book and have chosen never to publish, but we also have brand new writers who are experimenting with ideas. For us is is all about the process and joy of writing.

Whoever you are and whatever you write, we will welcome you.

Do I have to do everything that is listed on your Retreats if I book?

Your Retreat time is yours to use to suit your project. Some people want to write all day, some people want long walks, some people want stillness, or yoga, and a few people want to take part in everything that is on offer. Any of these answers are the right ones - it is your retreat, after all. Please speak to us about tailoring your retreat to suit you.

Will I fit in if I come by myself?

We run inclusive and relaxed Retreats and online groups, to ensure that everyone feels that they can take from their experience with Foxes’ Retreat what they personally need from it.

We do encourage having a chat with us before booking anything, if it is your first time working with us, as you will get a feel for us by sharing a few minutes on a video call.

Can you cater for individual diets?

Oh yes! We have a full range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Everything is cooked from scratch, so we know exactly what is in it all to tell you. Our bread and cakes are all home-made too. Myszka is gluten, dairy, maize and potato intolerant, so we have lots of practice of adapting all sorts of recipes to suit all tastes.

We have the 5* rating for Food Hygiene, and agree menus with visitors before their arrival where possible, to make the experience enjoyable.

Can I get to Foxes’ Retreat without a car?

We have had people arrive on foot in the past, walking long distance trails, or simply escaping from the city. There is a train station in Uttoxeter and in Derby, as well as a bus service to the end of our lane (1 mile to walk to the house from the bus). Our local taxi service are super, but need booking ahead as they are a small family business. Having a car or a bike will make exploring the Peak District much easier for you, although there are many walks from the farm gate, so you can leave your car safely in our farmyard.

Do you offer bespoke group Retreats?

Yes, we cater for groups for special occasions. We can fit programmes around groups to suit their interests.

Will I write a novel in one stay?

It would need to be a long stay to write a whole novel! We have writers who come for peace and quiet for the editing process, or to ‘finish the thing off’. We also have writers who are stuck and come for a supported retreat, with 1:1 sessions booked in, to get them going with fresh inspiration with writing exercises around the kitchen table. Often we have two hour workshops on the first or second day of our Independent Writing Retreats, which means that you can choose to opt in to anything that appeals to you. There is a small extra charge for these workshops, as they are booked separately on a first come, first served basis, and are open to non-residents too.

What is the format for a taught residential Retreat?

We usually meet around 10:00 in the morning, after breakfast, and spend two hours in writing workshops. The afternoons are then yours to continue with your writing (Myszka on call for you!), or to stretch your legs in the Peak District. After dinner in the evening, everyone is welcome to join us around a fire in the garden, or cosily in the snug, to share our day’s thoughts, writing, or just to relax. Lunch and dinner are served in the main farmhouse kitchen or under the kitchen gazebo. Your breakfast items, and fresh coffee and tea will be waiting for you in The Hayloft kitchen, at a time to suit your writing routine.

Can I drink alcohol at Foxes’ Retreat?

Yes, if responsibly, but you need to bring this yourself, as we do not have a licence. We do not drink ourselves, but are happy for other to relax with a drink in the evenings.

Do you still do B&B like you used to?

We do, but we have made the decision to only take previous visitors, to ensure that we know who is coming to us. This is for our own peace of mind and to maintain the tranquil atmosphere that Foxes’ Retreat is so well known for. You will need to call us or email to arrange B&B - if you have stayed before, jog our memories!

Can I smoke at Foxes’ Retreat?

No, you cannot. This is our workplace and our home, and so it is not legal to smoke here. Please respect this. Not in the farmyard, not in the buildings. If you do smoke on the lane, we expect you to pick up cigarette stubs to ensure that the local wildlife, and our chickens are not poisoned by eating them! The same applies to vaping. Please do not leave non-disposable vapes for us to dispose of - we recycle here at Foxes and cannot condone these.

Terms and Conditions:

We have been ultra-flexible during the pandemic by not charging for postponing attendance or stays when guests’ circumstances changed at short notice. Going forwards, we want to remain as flexible as possible, but are making the following changes.

For Writing Workshops:

We will no longer offer refunds or an automatic transfer of your place to a future workshop unless you find someone to take up your space. We cannot find new attendees at short notice to cover the lost income. Online Writing Group subscriptions are non-refundable after the first session has been attended - ask for a taster before you commit, to get a feel for us and the way that our group works.

For Residential Retreats:

We do not refund for cancellations after full balances are paid, which is six weeks before your arrival. If we are able to fill your place, or you know someone who can take your place, then we are very happy to refund. We always try to ensure this happens. As a small business, we cannot run with late cancellations and continue to be offering such well priced, affordable retreats and workshops with late cancellations, as we are unable to fill spots at short notice. For this reason, we recommend travel insurance. Most Retreat companies offer a refund/transfer up to 90 days before arrival, we are aiming to maintain ours at 6 weeks as a goodwill gesture to our valued clients.

Photography: Often our guests like photographs to remind themselves of their stays here, and we do sometimes share these on our website, and on social media. We always ask before taking pictures, and ask that all guests do the same, on every single occasion. If you do not want your photograph to be used, please let us know either on booking or on arrival, and we will ensure that your wishes are fully respected.

Full payments for residential stays are due six weeks before you arrive. That is your guarantee of your place with us, and our guarantee that you will be coming.  The deposit that you paid to reserve your place is also non-returnable, as we have quite a lot of work and expenses if we have to try to fill your place at the last minute, and often these spaces get left empty.

If in doubt, please ask Myszka for clarification around your individual bookings or requirements.

These Terms & Conditions enable us to keep our prices stable and very reasonable for a personal and bespoke service, even in the face of the cost of living crisis which is driving up prices at a galloping rate!

Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate you all so much.