Summer 2026 Retreat at
Wern Y Cwm Farm
Step into a slower pace of life and join us for a truly special few days of creativity, connection, and rest at the beautiful Wern Y Cwm Farm. This year’s retreat theme is: The Storyteller’s Journal A gentle, creative journey where you’ll build a journal filled with your own memories, stories, and meaningful moments. Over the course of the retreat, you’ll create a collection of pages using a mix of paper, fabric, and natural elements; bringing together techniques such as layering, stitching, collage, and hidden journaling. We’ll begin by creating your own handmade journal, fabric or paper, which will become the home for your work throughout the retreat. From there, each workshop will guide you through different ways of telling your story, whether through treasured photographs, written reflections, or tactile fabric pieces. This retreat has been thoughtfully designed to flow gently, allowing space for both creativity and rest. There will be time to: Take part in optional workshops Work on your own projects Enjoy peaceful walks in the surrounding countryside Relax in the hot tubs or natural swimming pool Sit, chat, and create alongside like-minded crafters A highlight of the retreat will be a gentle sharing circle, offering an optional space to reflect and connect with others in a meaningful way. Workshops are offered as optional extras, so you are free to shape your time exactly as you wish, whether that’s joining every session or simply enjoying uninterrupted creative time. This is more than a crafting retreat, it’s a space to slow down, reconnect, and create something deeply personal to take home with you.
Where Is The Retreat Held?
Wern-y-Cwm sits high up on the slopes of the Skirrid or Ysgyryd Fawr, which means the Great Split Mountain. It is technically part of the Brecon Beacons or Bannau Brycheiniog, but at the most eastern tip, on the border of Monmouthshire and Herefordshire. Its a wonderful location with high-quality facilities providing guests with the most relaxing escape. It is easily accessed from the M4, and has good transport links with Abergavenny Train station close by.
What Is Included?
The Summer Retreat will run from: Monday 13th July (3pm) – Thursday 16th July (3pm) What’s included: Three nights’ accommodation at the beautiful Wern Y Cwm Farm Your own dedicated crafting space throughout the retreat Day One: Buffet evening meal Day Two: Buffet lunch Day Three: Buffet lunch Day Four: Buffet lunch Refreshments served throughout each day Catering arrangements: Meals will be provided during the daytime retreat sessions, with a buffet lunch each day and a welcome evening meal on Monday. Breakfast and evening meals (Tuesday and Wednesday) will be self-catered within your accommodation, with a relaxed shared approach for evening meals to encourage a sociable and enjoyable dining experience. Access to hot tubs, outdoor natural swimming pool, and sauna sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday Free parking Free Wi-Fi in the accommodation Please note: Optional workshops will be available and charged individually. Massage treatments with the venue’s in-house therapist are also available to book separately at an additional cost.
Workshops
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We’re so excited to share that this year’s retreat will follow our beautiful theme: The Storyteller’s Journal A gentle and meaningful creative journey where you will build a journal filled with your own memories, stories, and treasured moments. Our workshops have been thoughtfully designed to guide you through a variety of techniques, including paper crafting, fabric work, layering, stitching, and the use of natural elements. Each one is designed to help you create something deeply personal at your own pace. We’ll begin by creating your own handmade journal, choosing either a paper or fabric approach. This will become the foundation for your work throughout the retreat, with each workshop building on your journal as your story unfolds page by page. You can expect a beautiful selection of optional workshops led by: Angela Kerr Bella – Bella’s Crafty Studio Special guest Phyllis Joseph Rachel – RachandBella Crafts Each workshop is relaxed, inspiring, and accessible, whether you enjoy mixed media techniques or prefer a slower, more mindful stitching approach. Workshops are offered as optional extras with limited spaces, giving you the freedom to shape your time exactly as you wish. You are very welcome to join every session, or simply enjoy uninterrupted creative time. There is no pressure to complete everything. This is your time to craft, rest, and enjoy the experience in a way that feels right for you. You might choose to spend your time crafting, chatting with like-minded creatives, taking a walk in the beautiful surrounding countryside, or relaxing in the hot tubs and outdoor pool. The full workshop list and booking details will be released shortly.
To book your place at our retreat, click here.
Retreat Pricing & Accommodation Options
Our Summer Retreat is a 4-day creative experience (3 nights), designed to give you time to relax, connect, and fully immerse yourself in your crafting.
We offer a range of accommodation options to suit your preference:
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£510 per person – Eloise Glamping Experience
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£550 per person – Shared (multi-occupancy) room
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£590 per person – Single occupancy room
Room availability is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
This includes:
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Three nights’ accommodation at Wern Y Cwm Farm
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Your own dedicated crafting space throughout the retreat
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Buffet meals during daytime sessions and arrival evening
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Refreshments served throughout each day
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Access to hot tubs, natural swimming pool and sauna sessions
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A thoughtfully planned creative retreat experience
Catering
To help keep costs manageable while still enjoying shared mealtimes together, this year we will be introducing a more flexible, community-style approach to catering.
Buffet meals will be provided during daytime retreat sessions
Breakfast and evening meals will be self-catered within your accommodation
Guests will be invited to contribute one prepared dish or dessert to share across the group during the retreat
Full details will be provided ahead of the event to help you plan with ease.
Reviews
Nigezza Creates - Gez
I recently attended the most wonderful Rach & Bella crafts retreat, and it was everything I could have hoped for and more. From the moment we arrived, the relaxed atmosphere made it easy to unwind and settle in. The venue itself was absolutely beautiful – the kind of place that instantly makes you slow down and breathe a little deeper.
The days were filled with crafting alongside a group of like-minded, inspirational people. There’s something truly special about being surrounded by others who share the same passion for creativity. Ideas flowed, skills were shared, and every project seemed to spark another. The whole experience felt encouraging, uplifting, and wonderfully energising.
When we weren’t crafting, there were plenty of little moments to enjoy. A lovely walk nearby gave me the chance to stretch my legs and take in the peaceful surroundings. Later, some of us relaxed in the hot tub, chatting and laughing as the day wound down. Evenings were full of conversation, plenty of laughter, and a few glasses of wine shared among new friends & old friends.
It was the perfect balance of creativity, relaxation, and connection. I came away feeling inspired, refreshed, and already looking forward to the next one. If you ever get the chance to attend a Rach & Bella crafts retreat, I can’t recommend it enough.
Ronnie, South Wales
5 stars for RachandBella craft retreats. If you have ever thought about going to a retreat and are nervous about going on your own, there’s no need. A warm welcome awaits EVERYONE and you’ll soon begin to feel part of the Rachel and Bella crafty family. You can attend workshops, if you wish (for a small fee), or you can just do your own thing, whatever takes your fancy, there’s no pressure. You will have such a relaxing time, crafting, meeting like minded people and chatting to everyone who will soon be close friends. I have been on all 9 of RachandBellas retreats and every time I go home, I’m eagerly waiting for the next one, so I can be with my ‘crafty family’ again. I cannot recommend highly enough.
Rose, S Wales
The spring retreat at Springs House, Cheltenham was a very enriching experience.
The house is in a lovely rural, but easy to get to setting. For such a large victorian property it was surprisingly warm and cosy. The rooms were comfortable and spacious and the bed whilst a bit on the hard side for me, was comfortable enough. The shared bathroom was enormous.
The retreat itself was every bit as enjoyable as previous retreats. Great workshops, fantastic camaraderie, space to move around in, much laughter and love shared between us all.
I especially enjoyed making the slow stitch pin cushions and starting my slow stitch wall hanging.
I provide my own food as I am GF, this time sharing the responsibility with two others worked well.
I always come away from these retreats energised with lots of ideas and keen to crack on with more crafting.
Here is a photo of my slow stitch wall hanging which is still at the planning stage, as inspired by Rachel's workshop. A homage to Edith Holden.
Our Crafters Say
"There’s something truly special about being surrounded by others who share the same passion for creativity. Ideas flowed, skills were shared, and every project seemed to spark another. The whole experience felt encouraging, uplifting, and wonderfully energising.."
Gez - Nigezza Creates