Winter creative: a shared space, for BAP creatives of all kinds

Thursday 7 – Sunday 10 February 2019 - Kent/Sussex UK
Winter creative: a shared space, for BAP creatives of all kinds

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Edells, deep in the heart of the countryside with a handy train station direct from London at the bottom of the field (45 minutes) is a large “bohemian” Victorian house, sleeping 10. It was built by the Talbot family to live in while they constructed a stately home on the other side of the Falconhurst woods, in the tiny village of Markbeech. It was the childhood home of Flora Smith 03 and is now run for magical stays and retreats. For the BAP year 2019, and in tune with “find your epic” Edells is reserved for a very special weekend available only to BAP Fellows.

This informal, non-guided, creative space is centred around a large kitchen & dining room, several log fires, a huge sitting room, a library of books collected by Flora’s family over a 50 year span of passionate reading, lots of corners to write in, lovely grounds and woodland tracks for walking / running - and the family’s Steinway piano is available for a composer/musician if required (in adjacent building). Space for 10 Fellows.

Edells, Markbeech, Near Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 5PB. 45 minutes direct train from London Bridge to Cowden station, Kent. Magical house, magical rate for BAP only at £150 per person for the 3 nights (£50 pp, per night) - includes £15 per person donation to BAP.

Thursday 7 February arrive from 3 pm. We will collect you from the station (2 minutes) or give directions how to walk up through the woods (10 minutes). If you prefer to drive, there is parking available.

7.30pm - welcome dinner, hosted by Flora round the kitchen table (dinner and wine all included in the price). Please let Jo know if you have any food requirements / allergies. Thereafter it’s a general shared use of the kitchen as and when people are hungry. The hens provide plenty of free eggs. The Edells team provide all bedding and towels, and will lay the fires every day. There’s also a traditional pub, The Kentish Horse, 10 minutes’ walk.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday – just as the mood takes you.

Sunday 10 February at 1pm – Big winter soup for those who want it (included in the price), and last departures by 4pm.

What they say:

Writers retreat (tutor: Susannah Waters) September 2018: “The house is amazing: atmospheric and comfortable, a home from home, with a kitchen full of every piece of equipment you could need, plenty of hot water and open fires to cuddle round. As a group of writers we had plenty of space and peace when solitude was needed, as the house and garden are full of cosy nooks and private corners. After long days writing, talking, eating and drinking, retiring to bed brought the extra pleasures of dark night skies, countryside silence and crisp white bedding - so everyone slept well. Edells is a truly superb house.”

Cancer research scientists retreat, September 2018: “Edells is a very special place. The house is full of history and every room has a story to tell. We came as a group of 16 scientists and had a great time. The garden is beautiful and there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding area on good day!