Each of our centres is an historic country house, set in a different part of the British countryside. Each is remote and peaceful but with a distinct character, from the gentle hills of Devon and Shropshire, to the dales of Yorkshire or the moorland slopes of the Scottish Highlands. Perfect places to get away from everyday distractions and concentrate on imagination and words. Be warned: this means there is no wi-fi, no television, and no mobile signals.

Accommodation
Centre accommodation varies, but all of our writers' houses have a mixture of single and shared bedrooms. Bathrooms are shared with up to three other students, but usually fewer. Each centre also has a living room and well-stocked library plus many other quiet spaces and, of course, wonderful landscapes to help you escape and focus on your writing. Standards are deliberately simple but comfortable and clean; our centres feel like homes rather than hotels and you are encouraged to make them your home for a week.

Courses do not rely on the use of a computer and it's worth noting that the computer facilities vary widely from centre to centre. There is no IT support available at the centres, but centre staff will do their best to fix any problems as soon as possible. You are welcome to bring your own laptop. The centres are equipped with facilities for disabled writers.

Food
Throughout your course, all your food and drink is provided. The Centre Directors - who, as well as running the centre with the Administrator, also programme all the courses - will be your hosts. You'll find they create a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere, where everyone helps themselves to lunch and breakfast, and every night students take a turn in different teams to cook one evening meal for the group. (Don't worry - the recipes and ingredients are provided and there's lots of help at hand.)

The cooking is a fun and important part of the Arvon experience - the preparing and sharing of food and ideas. Many of our previous participants talk fondly about this uniquely collective, creative spirit of our courses, and the chemistry of living and working with people from all walks of life. It is something you will carry with you long after the course has ended.

Image Gallery

View an image gallery for each of our four writing houses.