Have you ever dreamt of having the time and space to truly lose yourself in a good book?
Imagine an uninterrupted weekend dedicated entirely to reading – no distractions, no chores, no planning. That’s exactly what our reading retreats offer. We take care of everything, from meals to the little details, so you can simply relax.
Picture a hygge haven: comfy sofas by a crackling log burner, a warm blanket over your knees, complete peace – and books waiting to be enjoyed.
Spend your days reading without interruption, while delicious, freshly prepared meals and snacks appear just when you need them. Curl up, switch off, and sink into your story.
If you wish, you can also join gentle guided walks, a Pilates class, stand-up paddleboarding, or a relaxed wine tasting. Share conversations, books, and laughter with a small group of like-minded people – and maybe leave with new friends as well as new favourite reads.
“The staff at Lower Marsh Farm were the embodiment of openness, friendliness, warmth, and kindness. It was as if I had found a second home among these wonderful people.”
Maëlys R, November ’23
What is on offer?
4 nights stylish comfortable accommodation, nestled on a peaceful estate with extensive grounds of over 40 acres including woodland, river frontage (great for wild swimming), tennis, games room and a Salt Marsh Nature Reserve. Optional group activities and walks – join as much or as little as you want!
All meals (with the exception of one pub lunch) which are freshly made by our cook, featuring seasonal, tasty and satisfying menus. Many of the ingredients are regeneratively grown right here on the farm, so every meal is nourishing and healthy. Meals and snacks appear just when you need them, leaving you free to curl up with your book and switch off.
These retreats are limited to around 10 guests. We keep the groups small on purpose, creating a peaceful, unhurried atmosphere with plenty of space to read and unwind. Also helping make the experience feel welcoming and intimate rather than overwhelming.
Enjoy a complimentary book from a curated selection based on your preferences provided by our co-host, Emily from Black Cat Books. Meet a literary guest of honour at dinner.
~ Relax in stunning Cornish location
~ Meet new friends
~ Cosy up in front of a log burner with a book from our library
~ Play some board games or perhaps some tennis?
~ Group Walks for some fresh air in beautiful surroundings
~ Try a new Experience, may be SUP or wild food foraging?**
~ Soak in a hot tub, swim in the pool*
~ Sleep in luxury Egyptian Cotton bed linen
Accommodation options
King-sized double bed, log burner, outside fire pit set in meadows with fantastic rural and river views. Access to shared hot tub. Upgrade to Chenoweth Yurt which has an outside log-fired bath with gorgeous views down to the river and across to the church.
Large comfortable barn conversion, securely fence garden and shared electric hot tub. There are 4 bedrooms in Kingfisher Barn, with a large open plan living area with log burner, blankets and super comfortable sofas for loooong reading sessions!
Super luxurious bathroom, large securely fenced garden, private log-fired hot tub, spacious open-plan living area with log burner and comfy corner sofa.**** Book as your own private sanctuary or bring a couple of friends. Occupancy can be booked for 1 to 3 people.
Gothic Victorian style, ground floor cottage with securely fenced garden, private electric hot tub. Step-free access, super cosy log burner and sofa, views over country-side. Book as your own private sanctuary or bring a friend / partner. Occupancy can be booked for 1 to 2 people.
“Nothing was too much trouble for Olivia and her crew. It was a wonderful, fun filled 5 day experience with fabulous food for vegans, veggies and meat eaters. I believe that this and the setting is unlikely to be equalled. Have already booked for next year!”
Brian C, October ’24
Check Availability & Book
Choose your preferred dates below – this will show you the accommodation available for those dates and you can then book. If you have questions or prefer to book over the telephone, please do call us on 01579 212 100. If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message with your name and telephone number and we will call you back as soon as we can.
Thursday 1st to Monday 5th October
When can you begin your adventure?
Indicative Itinerary
Thursday
- Arrival from 3pm, time to settle into your accommodation, enjoy some tea and cake before a short orientation walk at 4.30pm
- Select your complimentary book from a curated selection based on your preferences provided by our co-host, Emily from Black Cat Books.
- Dinner at 7.30pm
Friday
- Breakfast from 9 – 10am
- 10.30am – guided walk
- Lunch at 12.30pm
- 4pm – optional extra activity such as a Pilates or Yoga class
- Dinner at 7.30pm
- Bar open from 6.30pm until 10pm
Saturday
- Breakfast from 9 – 10am
- 10.30am – guided walk
- Lunch at 12.30pm
- Optional extra activity such as Stand-up paddleboarding class, Watercolours workshop, etc
- Massage treatments can be booked during the afternoon
- Dinner at 7.30pm, with literary guest
- Bar open from 7pm until 10pm
Sunday
- Breakfast from 9 – 10am
- 10.30am – group self-guided walk…..possibly with a literary twist up on Bodmin / Dartmoor or a beach visit
- Pub Lunch – on a self-drive or taxi basis
- Massage treatments can be booked during the afternoon
- Dinner at 7.30pm
- Bar open from 6.30pm until 10pm
- Fire circle toasting marshmallows – after dinner, weather permitting
Monday
- Breakfast from 8 – 9.30am
- Depart by 10am
The holiday itinerary is indicative and subject to change (for example due to weather, tide times and guest numbers, Stand-up paddleboarding is only available during warmer months).
Indicative menu
Breakfast – Selection of cereals with milk or yoghurt, Fruit salad, Sourdough bread, butter, jams, Eggs (from the farm), sausages / bacon, individual yoghurt pots topped with crunchy granola and berry compote.
Packed Lunch – Pasta salad with boiled egg, Carrot, pepper & cucumber sticks, Hummus, Courgette & lemon cake.
Dinner – A main dish such as lasagne, tagine or curry plus a pudding such as chocolate torte, Cherry Bakewell cheesecake or Apple pie.
Drinks – Tea, coffee, water, apple juice, cordials are all included (and available throughout the day). If you want alcoholic drink/s with your dinner, we will have a small selection available to purchase from our bar and you are most welcome to bring your own (there is no corkage fee).
Meals will be served in our shared dining space seated around a communal table.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I want to bring my dog, what are my options?
Kingfisher Barn is a dog-free zone for these retreats but book any of the other accommodation and yes, you can bring your dog. Bulrush Barn and Orchard Cottage have fenced dog-secure private gardens. If you fancy staying in one of the yurt cabins, these are set in open meadows and we can lend you a dog tether. We can provide dog towels, feeding mats and bowls, poo bags and have a selection of beds. You will need to bring everything you need for your pets comfort, especially their food 🙂. You will need to keep your dog under control (free roaming poultry!) and pick up their poo for disposal in the bin provided. Dogs are not allowed on your bed (unless you bring your own bed linen and blankets) and should be washed down before being brought into your accommodation after a muddy etc walk.
How many guests will there be?
These retreats normally have up to 10 guests. We deliberately keep the groups small to encourage a tranquil atmosphere so that everyone can enjoy plenty of peaceful reading. This also helps the group feel less overwhelming to join :-).
I have dietary restrictions and / or preferences, can you cater for me?
Please let us know and we will try to accommodate your needs – we cannot accommodate trace allergies such as to nuts. Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan are all not a problem. Specific dislikes
We specialise in vegetarian and vegan food so if this is your choice please rest assured your meals will be interesting and not just a second thought.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Booking deposits are non-refundable and the balance is due 6 weeks prior to your arrival date. We do not provide holiday insurance and would recommend you take out your own cover from the point you make your booking. In certain mitigating circumstances, we may as a gesture of goodwill, offer to move you to an alternative one of our holidays.
About Lower Marsh Farm, Cornwall / Devon border
Lower Marsh Farm, in the stunning Tamar Valley on the border of Cornwall and Devon, is the perfect getaway from busy life set far from the madding crowd yet within easy access of all that Cornwall and Devon have to offer which includes beaches, moorland walks and gorgeous gardens.
Silver award winner in the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2017 / 2018 Self Catering Property of the Year category and awarded Highly Commended in their Wildlife Friendly Tourism Business Award category, you will be staying in one of the best locations in Cornwall. Find out more about our awards and what people say here.
The facilities at Lower Marsh Farm include:
Over 40 acres of grounds to explore including Salt Marsh Nature Reserve, river frontage, beach, woodland, pastures and also an orchard,- Tennis court (rackets and balls provided),
- Hot tubs,
- Games room with table tennis, a wide selection of welly boots that can be borrowed for country and even beach walks,
- Basketball hoop,
The farm is managed in an eco-friendly sustainable manner and you can find out more about this here – we are happy to explain how this works during your visit. On the farm there is wildlife galore including deer, badgers, otters, owls, bats and numerous ground wading birds plus chickens, ducks, Highland Cows and a dog!
~~~~~~~~
Taylor H said “Would recommend 100%.” Oct ’22
Things to do locally
There are a fantastic selection of beaches to visit, walking routes, places to dine out and days out for everyone – you can find out more here.
We can also offer our guests discounted tickets for the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
~~~~~~~~
Vanessa G said “Absolutely fantastic place to stay.” Oct ’22
~~~~~~~~
* – open seasonally, normally from mid-March to late October. ** – subject to sufficient numbers of bookings. **** – The living room is above the shared dining space and some noise will travel during meal times, bar opening and wine tasting.