7 Night Creative Writing & Walking in the South Downs

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Our first workshop will focus on developing ideas and finding inspiration for your written work(s). After lunch, there’s the opportunity to have a one-to-one session with your tutor or enjoy some free time before venturing out on your first guided walk. After dinner, you can join your writing tutor and listen to readings from their own work. 

To receive feedback from your tutor during the one-to-one session, please submit a piece of writing at least 14 days in advance of your holiday. This should be sent to creativewriting@hfholidays.co.uk including the date and location of your holiday in the body of the email.  All submissions should be up to 1000 words and sent in Word or PDF format. 

Walk: Thakeham and Warminghurst

Distance: 5 miles (8km)

Total ascent: 350 feet (120m)

In summary: From the house we ascend to the ridge and then make our way to Thakeham. We continue through open fields join a woodland track which takes us to Warminghurst. We return to the house via the outskirts of Thakeham.

Highlight: The peace and quiet of the woodland tracks.

The second workshop of the week focuses on building characters. Again, there’ll be time for one-to-one sessions, but the afternoon and evening are yours to use as you choose. Write, explore, chat with your fellow guests, or simply relax. 

Discover more about Abingworth Hall and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.

This morning’s workshop is dedicated to carefully crafting the plot and structure. The afternoon offers another opportunity to enjoy a guided walk in the inspirational landscapes of the South Downs. In the evening, join your writing tutor for another reading from their works.

Walk: Perrett's Copse and Wantley 

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)

Ascent: 200 feet (60m)

In summary: We walk along the ridge to the west of the House and then turn south for a short distance before turning eastwards to Wantley, just north of Storrington. From here we walk northwards to complete our circuit, re-joining the outward route for our return to the House.

Highlight: Views from the ridge are stunning.

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Today we turn our attention to the settings that your characters call home and the world your readers temporarily occupy. Free time is provided in the afternoon so you can further develop your writing or explore the local area independently using the easy-to-follow maps, routes, and information available in our Discovery Point. After dinner, the evening is relaxed and open for you to partake in any house activities or take a well-earned break from the creative process over a drink. 

Our final workshop focuses on the dialogue and interactions present in your writing and builds on everything we have discussed so far. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option of a short, guided walk from the house with your HF Holidays Leader. On our final evening together, there’s the opportunity for you to share a short snippet from your own writing with the group. Guests are asked to keep their readings to approximately 500 words to ensure everyone gets an opportunity.

Walk: West Chiltington and Thakeham

Distance: 6 miles (9.5km)

Ascent: 450 feet (140m)

In summary: Starting out west along the ridge, we soon turn north to West Chiltington. We return, via Thakeham – and possibly via the White Lion public house, to the Abingworth Hall.

Highlight: West Chiltington church was built between 1100 & 1150 and has a fine collection of frescoes.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.