Set in the heart of the South Downs National Park, this 4-day artists’ retreat takes place at Gayles Retreat Centre, with wide views over Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters. Secluded grounds sit between Friston Forest and the sea, offering a landscape that feels both spacious and deeply present.
This retreat is ideal if you would prefer to stay closer to home and keep to a smaller budget, while still taking time to step away from daily routines. It is an invitation to breathe, walk, draw and write, allowing thoughts to move freely as you explore the surroundings. The atmosphere of the place is ever present throughout the experience.
Working on a small, portable scale, you will be gently supported as you respond to the landscape. Sketchbooks and basic materials are provided, so all you need to bring are your favourite tools and sturdy shoes. Each drawing exercise begins with guided meditation and simple qigong practices to help you settle in and find your flow.
There will also be time to follow your own direction, whether that means finding a quiet spot to work, walking, or simply observing. Each day offers space to notice, connect, rest and reflect, while celebrating the beauty, physicality and surprises of the environment.
Friday 10th July - Arrival around 4pm
Daily Timetable
Teaching sessions include studio warm-ups, demonstrations of materials as needed, guided meditation, landscape walks for drawing, time for reflection and writing where appropriate, and prompts for both drawing and writing throughout the day.
There will also be time to be alone, read, draw, relax, explore, or swim in the outdoor pool or the sea, which can be reached on one of the walks.
Monday 13th July - Departure around 3pm
Early bird: £550 if booked by 31/12/25
Deposit: £100
All materials, vegetarian food and shared accommodation are included in the price.
Accommodation is based on sharing, with limited single or twin room availability on a first come, first served basis for a £100 supplement.
If you need to pay in instalments, please contact Katie personally.
The deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel one month before the retreat date, you will receive a full refund. After that point, no refund is possible.
Gayles is located off the A259, midway between Eastbourne and Seaford, and just a mile from the village of East Dean. It is around an hour and a half from central London and just over half an hour from Brighton, with easy access by car or public transport. The Coastliner Bus between Brighton and Eastbourne stops at the end of the lane. Lift shares and local pick-ups can be coordinated nearer the time.
Most accommodation is in comfortable, light and airy dorms. There are also 3 rooms in the farmhouse available for single or double occupancy for a £100 supplement. Camping is available, with a tent provided and set up for you; you will need to bring your own bedding. Camper vans are also welcome in the parking area, with use of the studio bathroom.
All food is home-cooked by Derry, who runs the centre with his wife Roz, and much of the produce is grown on the land. Expect simple, delicious vegetarian lunches and dinners, with eggs, porridge, muesli, yoghurt, fruit and toast for breakfast. Some dietary needs can be catered for where possible, and dietary requirements will be collected nearer the time.
This is not a silent meditation retreat, though you are encouraged to step away from your phone and enjoy quiet, contemplative moments during your stay. Meditation and qigong are part of the course structure, offering a mindful way to prepare for the drawing work and tune into the senses. There will be times for quiet individual work as well as group gatherings.
Please pack for an English coastal summer, including walking boots, a raincoat, sun hat, sunscreen, swimsuit and towel, slip-on shoes for indoors, and a map of the area if you have one. If you plan to camp, please check with Gayles regarding bedding.
On Saturday, there will be a long walk along the Seven Sisters coast path to Cuckmere beach and the river mouth, whatever the weather. The walk takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes each way there and 50 minutes back. If conditions are good, lunch will be a picnic and drawings will be made on the beach. If not, the group will walk and continue working in the studio on return. Other walks will be local and under 2 hours.
Materials provided include rucksack stools, drawing boards, clips and tape, paper in A4, A3 and A1, an A5 concertina sketchbook, an A6 notebook, rags, kitchen roll, bin liners, plastic sheets for the studio floor, studio tables, books for inspiration, and yoga mats and cushions.
Basic drawing materials will also be available, including charcoal, pencils, graphite, charcoal/graphite powder, black and white chalks, coloured chalks, oil pastels, Posca pens, inks, brushes, water brush pens, water pots, carbon paper, coloured paper, tissue, tracing paper, coloured pens and pencils, erasers, scissors, sharpeners, a craft knife with cutting mat, pritt stick, masking tape, stapler and bulldog clips.
You do not need to bring anything, though you are very welcome to bring your own materials if you wish. There is no need to buy anything specially.
Jul 10-13, 2026
4 day event
Daily Schedule:
Designed for guests who value comfort, practicality, and a relaxed shared stay, this accommodation offers a welcoming base for retreat participants and small groups alike. There is one single room and one double room available, along with four camping spaces for those who prefer a more flexible option.
The recently renovated dormitories, The Studio and The Playroom, provide spacious accommodation for up to seventeen people. Both spaces are thoughtfully equipped with toilets, showers, and washing areas, as well as facilities for making hot drinks, helping create an easy and comfortable atmosphere throughout your stay.
Guests can rest on good-quality, sturdy single and bunk beds, each with individual storage drawers for added convenience. Duvets, pillows, linen, and towels are all provided, so you can arrive with less to pack and settle in with ease.
Katie
Price
£595.00