Wildflowers Retreats

Writing & Walking retreats for LGBTQ+ women in Hebden Bridge, Calder Valley and surrounds.

Introducing Wildflowers Retreats – the perfect escape for LGBTQ+ women looking to combine their passion for writing and walking in the stunning surrounds of Hebden Bridge and the Calder Valley. 

Writing with Caroline Mitchell. Coming from a BAFTA and NTA award winning writing team, Carrie has over twenty years experience as a professional screenwriter and is passionate about sharing these insights in daily two hour informal writing workshops suitable for complete beginners to those a little further ahead.

Walking with Sib. With miles of fabulous and dramatic landscapes to explore, the Calder Valley is a wonderful setting to inspire your writing with the area boasting a deep literary heritage from the diaries of Anne Lister (aka Gentleman Jack) to the works of the Bronte sisters and Sylvia Plath. Included in our easy to moderate daily afternoon walks will be visits to Shibden Hall and the Bronte parsonage as well as the moorlands that inspired so much raw creativity.

Staying in a tranquil, woodland setting just a few minutes walk from the train station and the LGBTQ+ friendly town of Hebden Bridge, the accommodation is spacious and comfortable offering doubles or single room options all with en suite facilities and with breakfasts, lunches and two evening dinners all included. All our food will be sourced from our wonderful local bakers, greengrocers and zero plastic waste shops.

Hebden Bridge and the Calder Valley have welcomed people from the LGBTQ+ community for many years with Hebden Bridge itself characterised as the ‘the lesbian capital of Europe’ due to the numbers of LGBTQ+ women who have made this beautiful part of the world their home. This vibrant town hosts many community events throughout the year including its own Happy Valley Pride week in the summer and an independent Film Festival held in its community owned cinema. There is a world famous live music venue at The Trades Club as well as a local theatre and many wonderful independent shops, bars and restaurants.