A Writers’ Retreat in the Catalan Mountains
La Garriga de Castelladral: a farmhouse of medieval origins restored as a charming eco-hotel, set in a forest with magnificent views of the Catalan mountains. It boasts excellent menus from locally sourced foods, a private spa in the former winery, an outdoor (unheated) pool, and a large, spiral pathway in the grounds. www.masialagarriga.com/ca/
This ‘untaught’ retreat - a blend of optional and community sessions with extended periods to ‘Go Write!’ during the day - will focus on the ‘doing’ of the writing process. The staff will take a supportive role: they will invite morning ‘check-ins’; offer short workshops on subjects for life-writers of all narrative forms; be available for individual ‘Tea and Talk’ consultations in the late afternoon; and convene manuscript readings in small groups on the candlelit terrace in the evenings. And when we are not writing or discussing our writing? We might gaze at the mountain-views, swim in the pool, take a meditative walk along the spiral pathway in the grounds, enjoy forest-bathing, or simply busy ourselves, doing nothing, in this beautiful, quiet, restful place in the warmth of Catalonia’s Summer sun. And, for those who wish to wander further afield, there are places-of-interest to visit in the locality:
https://www.masialagarriga.com/en/charming-hotel/30/activities/2/places-of-interest.html
This programme is offered in association with the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science
£1775 GBP inclusive of VAT for dinners with a glass of wine and overnight accommodation for four nights in individual, spacious, excellently appointed, ensuite bedrooms, each with a writing desk and a terrace or a balcony with views of Monserrat, the farmhouse and its natural landscape; plus morning and afternoon refreshments and lunches on five days.
Partners are very welcome to join our party and can be accommodated at an additional cost of £725 GBP inclusive of VAT.
Cancellations received on or before the 1st of March 2026 will be refunded in full minus an administration charge of 10%. 70% of fees will be refunded for cancellations received after 1st of March but before 15th of May. No refunds will be made for cancellations on or after 19th May. Cancellations must be received in writing to office@fordyceacademy.org.
From/to Barcelona Airport: a one-hour taxi ride for circa €150 euros for a group of up to eight.
Dr Kate Cowie (Dean) and Heather Berthoud with Dr Paul Taylor-Pitt and Emma Pearson. They are all experienced in the craft of making meaning of lived experience in writing, and they are all published in a variety of articles, chapters, books and other contemporary forms of life-writing.
Group size: 12 - 16. (A small number of discounted places may be available on application.)