Retreat
All creative artists need a bolt hole, a retreat to escape to finish off that novel or a place with breathtaking views to inspire your next painting. If you have visited somewhere that you think should be featured on this page,

Breathtaking Orkney
Finldays Cottage in Breck, Orphir, Orkney is a wonderful place to stay. With stunning views, ample accommodation, log fires and beautifully decorated rooms, this is a real retreat. There is an office complete with desk and above it a window looking out to see, making this an idea writer's retreat. The master bedroom has seven separate windows and Scapa Flow can be seen from every one!
http://www.bhse.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm

Yorkshire Dales
8 Oliver Lane is a small listed back-to-back terrace originally built for mill workers. For any fans it is opposite the location used for “Auntie Wainrights Shop” in Last of the Summer Wine. It's a must for any artists on a budget. The rates are ridiculously cheap and even cheaper for writers and artists as low as just £7 per night!
http://mysite.freeserve.com/house_in_marsden

USA - Arizona / Utah Border
Well here is a place as far from anywhere as you can think and it's absolutely gorgeous. The place is called Lee's Ferry Lodge in Arizona USA (bordering on Utah). If you ask the waitress what people do in the evenings, apparently they just 'go look at the stars'. Everything closes around 8.30 - 9.00pm, so after that it's just you and your laptop, pen or whatever!
It's not far from the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, both of which are definitely worth a trip. From November onwards it may be covered in snow and some of the roads will be closed. In summer it gets very very hot!
Lees Ferry Lodge

Perthshire Retreat
Perched on top of a hill in Perthshire, where the buzzards call, there is a little cottage retreat for writers. Cheap and stunningly beautiful. Writers can hide away with an on site PA/Butler to help keep you focussed and fed!

Following the successful visit of two friends who had been unable to make space to do their cherished projects I decided to make this idea available throughout the year. Writers may book to stay at the cottage where I also work as a screenwriter and animator. I understand the subtle combination of freedom and disciplin required to push a creative project through.

As a registered hypnotherapist and artist making animation films I am well placed to help writers through their writing projects and the blocks which arise on the way.

This little cottage has open fires and is surrounded by fields with cattle and horses. With room for only 2 or 3 people it is a quiet but open and friendly place where you will be supported but have quiet and peace with a regular framework of meals, walks, swimming/sauna and cinema, setting a serious work pattern which is also healthful going on around you and you can to swap into or out of as you please.
  
There are internet fascilities, computers and writing software with printers telephone & fax machine for general use if required.

Priced at around £350 per week some spaces are available after August 2005 through to February 2006
Email enquiries to Marilyn  m@marilyndungey.co.uk
Details will shortly be lodged on the website www.marilyndungey.co.uk

 

French Hideaway
Lahon is a 19th century house with detached barn and private pool. Set in 10 acres, with a small wood, the house is surrounded by farmland - covered in maize and sunflowers in the summer - on the edge of the hamlet of Mouhous, twenty minutes north of Pau. Ideal for getting away and relaxing, Sandy and Neil invite you to share this calm environment.

http://www.breakaway-to-bearn.com/house.asp