• Announcement:

    We’ve had some issues with emails going to hotmail, outlook and related addresses. If you’ve recently made a purchase using one of these and not received a confirmation email, please get in contact with us – use an alterative email address for contact or purchase if you can.

Graphic with a picture of a red sandstone building, surrounded with text reading 'The BFS Writing Retreat 28th Feb-3rd March, Gladstones Library, Hawarden, Applications open now'

The 2025 BFS Writing Retreat

We are delighted to announce the 2025 BFS Writing Retreat will be taking place at Gladstones Library from 28th February to 3rd March. Join us for a weekend of writing in the gorgeous surroundings of Gladstones Library, whether you chose to work in the studious silence of the reading rooms, or the relaxed comfort of the common room – or even in your pyjamas in your own bedroom.

A library space. Arched windows are surrounded by wooden bookshelves filled with books. Wooden pillars hold up a balcony area. Work tables line the centre of the room, with armchairs in more relaxed groupings around the sides

The cost of the retreat is £300 for a single room, or £360 for a double. This includes dinner, bed, and continental breakfast for 3 nights. Please complete the google form here to express your interest. There are a limited number of spaces available – in the event that we have more applications than spaces, names will be drawn from a hat. Priority will be given to first-time attendees although people who have been before are welcome to apply.

As with previous years, the BFS will be funding one sponsored place on the retreat. Sponsorship will cover three nights dinner, bed, and breakfast in a single room. The successful applicant will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and any other food or drink required over the course of the weekend. This year, thanks to the generosity of one of our members, we are able to offer an additional sponsored place to a person from a traditionally under-represented background. To apply for one of these spaces, please fill in the form here.

A group of people sit on leather sofas around a traditional fireplace. They are talking and laughing. Arched windows are on either side of the fireplace and bookcases line one wall.

Applications will be open until midnight, Sunday 15th November and successful applicants will be notified the following week. Payment can be made in one lump sum, or in three instalments, but must be complete before the event.

If you have any questions about the retreat, please contact Shona at chair@britishfantasysociety.org

2 responses to “The 2025 BFS Writing Retreat”

  1. Sarah Carter avatar
    Sarah Carter

    I am very interested in joining this retreat to work on my horror screenplay

  2. Paul Arvo avatar

    If 2 of you are staying in a double room, is that 360 each? #confused