Review: My Writing Retreat at Write Within, Machynlleth
(I stayed at this cabin for free in return for a review, however, all opinions are my own)
For many writers, an essential part of the creative process involves filling up their own creative cup. This is certainly the case for me, so I was delighted when Julia from Write Within reached out to invite me for a retreat at her Writers’ Cabin.
Located in the small welsh town of Machynlleth, just a short drive away from the coast in mid-Wales, the cabin was custom built close to Julia’s own home.
Accessible via a private gate, the cabin has a lovely wraparound garden to walk through on the way down. I’d always thought of the countryside as a quiet place to escape the noise of day-to-day urban life, but the landscape here is alive with the buzz of wildlife. Walking through the garden, I could hear the sound of birds calling to one another and the soft bleating of lambs from the farm just down the way.
The quaint wooden porch at the entrance to the cabin feels like something from an American movie, with its comfortable rocking chair and table and chair set providing plenty of space to spend time outside. I can imagine this makes a great spot to while away the long summer evenings.
Upon entering the cabin, it was immediately clear to me that this cosy space had been created with great care and contained everything I needed for a long weekend away. The main living area is located on the right hand side of the cabin, and is furnished with two comfortable chairs (with one that can be folded out into a bed), a proper writing desk and an ergonomic chair.
There were lots of little treats waiting for me on the desk - a packet of Welsh shortbread biscuits, vouchers for a local bookshop and coffee shop, plus a prescription from the Poetry Pharmacy (you can read my review of their Oxford Circus store here). Their original branch is located just over an hour’s drive away, across the border in Bishop’s Castle.
The centre of the cabin has a small but well stocked kitchenette, with an electric hob for cooking, toaster, and kettle ready to prepare endless cups of tea. The fridge had kindly been filled with a few essentials, including a bottle of local milk, and the cupboards contained all of the crockery and utensils that we needed to prepare a hearty meal.
As a writer herself, Julia knew to include a variety of tea bags to help fuel our creativity, and the desk was filled with all of the stationary I could possibly need.
The edge of the kitchen has a small square table with two bar stools, offering a separate place for two people to eat together that’s away from the desk and chairs.
On the left side of the cabin you’ll find the cosy bedroom. Its high bed allows for ample storage in the drawers underneath, and the shelves behind the headboard hold a variety of books written by the cabin’s previous residents. I really enjoyed looking at the carefully chosen items that lined this space, which included a gorgeous antique typewriter and vials of poetry.
The bed itself was super comfy, with a thick duvet and soft linens that gifted me with several nights of excellent sleep.
The bathroom is located 30 seconds away from the main cabin, down a little path in a separate block that also houses the sauna. I was pleased to find that it didn’t resemble anything like an outside toilet, with warm running water and proper plumbing.
Each stay at the retreat includes a complimentary sauna session, with the day and time to be agreed with Julia in advance. This is a wonderful spot to relax with a large window that offers tranquil views of the private garden. We booked our session for the second evening of our stay, which was much needed after an afternoon spent walking through the nearby Hafren Forest.
I’ve been very busy lately and just haven’t had the time or headspace to properly sit down and enjoy reading a book. As an activity that fills my creative cup, this was one of the priorities for my stay, and I was able to read the entirety of The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki.
It was a fantastic read demonstrating everything that makes me love Japanese translated literature.
Outside of walking, reading and writing, the cabin is perfectly located for book shopping! The town has four of its own bookshops to explore, making it a literary destination all in itself.
My stay at the Write Within Writers’ Cabin was absolutely wonderful, and I look forward to returning some time in the near future.
To find out more information and to book a stay at the cabin, take a look at the Write Within website. As an experienced creative coach, Julia is also able to offer bespoke coaching sessions to visitors for an additional fee.
For more information about the many fabulous bookshops in Machynlleth, make sure to read my article on the Write Within blog here (to come).
Other locations to Visit in Wales
How to Visit Dylan Thomas’ Boat House