Come to beautiful Marazion on the south west coast of Cornwall, and spend a few days reading, eating cake, drinking tea or coffee or wine (or all three!) and relaxing with a few like-minded literary ladies!
A reading retreat is like a vacation for your mind — a deliberate break from the noise and busyness of everyday life to immerse yourself in books and reflection. And is one of the most relaxing things you can do!
No pressure, just enjoy and relax.
And read.
WHY COME ON A READING RETREAT?
You can -
- escape for a few days to yourself.
- disconnect and slow down. In our always-online world, a reading retreat offers rare quiet. No endless notifications or multitasking; just stillness, paper and words, and thought. It's a way to reset your attention and rediscover deep focus and deeper joy.
-reconnect with the joys of reading: with no guilt or interruptions!
- catch up on your TBR pile (to be read) and/or enjoy the books you were given for Christmas. When else will you read them!
- think deeply and reflect. Books can provoke a healthy introspection. On retreat, you have the mental space to sit with big ideas, journal about them, or discuss them with others — rather than rushing on to the next task.
- change your environment: a new setting helps you see things differently. The act of going somewhere specifically to read can make the experience feel special and intentional.
- nourish your mental health. Quiet reading time can reduce stress, lower anxiety, and improve empathy and focus. A retreat offers a restorative pause — especially for those who feel overworked or creatively depleted.
WHAT MAKES OUR READING RETREATS SPECIAL
A few days by the sea, looking straight out at St Michael’s Mount.
Cosy reading corners - rocking chairs, sofas, squishy arm chairs, fabulous views, warm snuggly throws, places to curl up and read. Most with great views across Mount’s Bay. Read in a large bath of bubbles; by candlelight; with a window open to the sea ….
Drinks (of all kinds!), snacks and comforts available all day whenever you need them.
Home made meals - simple breakfasts, warming soups for lunch, cakes for tea, wonderful suppers with good conversation.
Time for discussions on your books, for journalling prompts, for reflection.
Comfy beds in glorious rooms; choose from double ensuite to twin to cabin beds.
Local walks, across to the Mount at low tide, along the South West Coastal path to Penzance or to Perranuthnoe, over the fields to Ludgvan ……
And no shopping, washing up, cooking or catering, no chores, no feelings of guilt, shoulds or have to’s.
All you have to do is read, relax, enjoy!
Dates currently available are late January and February 2026.
Choose a weekend - Friday to Sunday (3 days, 2 nights) or a midweek - Monday to Thursday (4 days, 3 nights)
Come alone or bring a friend or even a group of friends. Bring your Book Club and all read the same book and discuss together.
Book all the places for a group and there is a 15% discount on the total price.
Prices start from just £380 for a 3 day 2 night retreat. Email us for full details Retreats are from 4 - 10 people.
To see more pictures of Ocean Villas, the bedrooms and fabulous bathrooms, click on the menu at the top of the page.
Email us for full details of dates and prices
A typical 48 hour reading retreat might look like this as we balance solitude and reading alone, discussing together, and resting.
Friday: arrive from 2pm. Settle in, read. 4pm enjoy tea and cake, introductions, share your reading goals. More time to read, rest and enjoy a drink before supper.
After supper, time to read, to rest and to reflect. A cosy evening with candles, twinkly lights and snuggly throws.
Saturday: breakfast, then a quiet morning reading (no phones, no chatter). Optional mid-morning walk* or journaling, followed by lunch. Or a walk after lunch *
Afternoon reading or nap time and then evening discussions about the reading done so far, as we share supper. Followed by either a Cornish gin tasting or a Chocolate (single origins) tasting.
Sunday: Morning reading; optional walk; coffee …
Prosecco Brunch & final reflections
Pack up and head home about 2pm, relaxed and rested and read-up!
* St Michael’s Mount village is open and free during the winter, whenever the tide is low enough for you to walk over and back. The house and gardens are closed in the winter months.