A New Season of Exceptional Retreats
Following a truly memorable few months of retreats so far in 2026, we are delighted to unveil our programme for 2027. Spanning three very different experiences across England and Scotland, next year’s retreats have been carefully designed to offer not only exceptional embroidery tuition, but also a chance to immerse yourself in remarkable places, historic settings, and inspiring company.
From the quiet elegance of Askham Hall, to a special summer gathering in our home town of Appleby, and finally an ambitious stitching journey through Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, each retreat has its own unique atmosphere and character while remaining rooted in the values that define our retreat experiences: generous tuition, beautiful surroundings, excellent food, and long, uninterrupted days devoted to embroidery.
Askham Hall — March 2027
8–14 March 2027
Tutors: Kate Barlow & Tracy Franklin
Returning for another year, our Askham Hall retreat remains one of the most refined and immersive experiences in our programme. Set within the beautiful Michelin-starred Askham Hall estate in the Lake District, this retreat combines 5 days of intensive embroidery tuition with luxurious accommodation and exceptional dining.
Students will work on carefully-structured projects under the guidance of Kate Barlow and Tracy Franklin, with plenty of opportunity for individual support and technical development throughout the week. The atmosphere at Askham is always one of quiet focus and creativity, making it an ideal environment for those wishing to fully immerse themselves in their stitching.
Accommodation packages range from shared occupancy through to Executive Suites, with pricing from £6,750–£11,950.
Tuition
Students will work on a single design during the retreat, choosing either Kate or Tracy’s project, and will remain with that tutor throughout the main stitching tuition.
However, the first day of stitching will take the form of a dedicated technique day, during which students will choose between Kate or Tracy depending on their experience level rather than their chosen project. Kate’s group will focus on beginner and intermediate techniques, while Tracy’s will be aimed at more advanced stitchers.
This introductory day has been designed both to help less experienced students build confidence and to provide more advanced stitchers with the opportunity to deepen and refine their technical skills before beginning their main project.
Appleby & Flakebridge Estate — July 2027
6–13 July 2027
Tutors: Deborah Wilding & Kate Barlow
Our new summer retreat for 2027 takes place just outside our home town of Appleby-in-Westmorland at the beautiful Flakebridge Estate, where historic stone buildings have been transformed into luxurious countryside accommodation.
Designed as a relaxed and restorative stitching retreat, this special week has also been timed to coincide with an important moment for the region – the unveiling of a major heritage project that our company has been closely involved in. During the week there will be a significant ceremonial event associated with this project, that we will be a part of.
Tuition
Unlike some of our more structured retreats, the Appleby programme has been designed as an open-project retreat, allowing guests to bring any embroidery from home they wish to work on while receiving expert guidance and support from Deborah Wilding and Kate Barlow throughout the week.
Accommodation ranges from shared cottage rooms through to private cottages and premium estate accommodation, with pricing from £6,750–£8,500.
This retreat will be repeated in March 2028
Glamis — Edinburgh & The Highlands
11–22 October 2027
Tutors: Phillipa Turnbull, Kate Barlow & Deborah Wilding
Our flagship retreat for 2027 will take guests on an extraordinary 11-night journey through Edinburgh and the Highlands of Scotland, combining luxury accommodation, heritage inspiration and immersive embroidery tuition.
Beginning with 5 days in Edinburgh before continuing north into the Highlands for a further 6 days, the retreat has been designed as both a stitching retreat and a cultural journey, with guests staying across two exceptional properties (The Bonhams Hotel in Edinburgh and The Douneside House Hotel in The Highlands) while enjoying a carefully curated programme of embroidery, excursions and shared experiences.
With three tutors leading the retreat, this retreat is a hybrid of our past tours (when Phillipa and Meredith would romp across the British Isles back in the day!), and our current programme of slower-paced retreat experiences, bringing together embroidery, heritage, travel, and landscape in a truly unique way.
Tuition
Students will work on specially-developed embroidery projects inspired by artefacts from the Burrell Collection and Glamis Castle, which will be taught by Phillipa, Kate Barlow and Deborah Wilding.
Accommodation packages range from shared luxury accommodation through to exclusive-use cottages and signature suites, with pricing from £8,950–£16,500.
This retreat will be repeated on 4-15 May 2028 and deposit holders who don't wish to book the October retreat have the opportunity to transfer their deposit to the May dates.
Looking Ahead
Together, these three retreats represent a very special year for us – each one distinct in atmosphere and character, yet all sharing the same spirit of creativity, craftsmanship and community that has become central to our retreat programme.
Further information regarding itineraries, room categories and booking dates will be published over the coming days and booking will commence on Monday 25th May. We very much look forward to welcoming many of you to these remarkable places in 2027 and to continue to forge new friendships across the embroidery world.
