Write Within
- Premier host
- near Machynlleth, Powys, Wales
- See on map
- Sleeps: 2
- Bedroom: 1
- Bathroom: 1
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
Write Within is a blissfully cosy, purpose-built retreat for anyone in need of focus, inspiration – and pampering! – for a writing project, such as the book you were born to write, or that PhD thesis with the ominous deadline.
The hand-built, eco-friendly cabin couldn’t be more magnificently placed: screened by trees among tranquil Welsh nature in Machynlleth, close to Snowdonia National Park and set within the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere.
Inside awaits a wealth of writerly delights, including a literary agent’s oak desk with glorious hill views, well-chosen art and accessories, and a curated bedhead shelf adorned with inspirational books. Stationery is provided, along with a complimentary bottle of bespoke pills from the Poetry Pharmacy to help kick-start your creative practice.
Practicalities are generously taken care of, too: there’s super-fast satellite Wi-Fi, plug sockets (including USB) galore, and expert insulation to keep you feeling perfectly snug. Your desk-chair has been ergonomically designed for writers, while facilities include a supremely comfy double bed, a well-equipped kitchenette, and a separate, spa-inspired shower room.
And that’s not all. In-between writing sessions and word counts, you’ll have the chance to unwind with a complimentary sauna session, surrounded by views of the Tarren mountain range for a little extra inspiration!
Write Within is the brainchild of Julia Forster, a published author and a writer development specialist who knows exactly what writers need to feel comfortable and motivated (within months of opening, the cabin was selected by The Sunday Times as one of the seven best UK writing retreats for aspiring writers). You will have the option of booking a coaching session with Julia during your stay, and/or embarking on a nature walk with Brad Carr, a local fine-art photographer and storyteller.
Of course, you can also savour precious moments of downtime in the cabin’s large, private garden. A yoga mat is provided for morning sun salutations, or if you’ve brought the car, take a refreshing excursion to Eryri, otherwise known as Snowdonia National Park. You could also head into the town, resplendent with bookshops to browse and a bustling Wednesday market.
Keep readingAt a glance
- A purpose-built cabin for writers, constructed by local craftspeople and peacefully secluded among Welsh nature in Machynlleth, with magnificent mountain views for inspiration.
- Bring the car, or come by train and have groceries delivered for your stay.
- The cabins sleeps up to 2 guests, with a double bed and a pull-out sofa.
- Self-contained facilities include a kitchenette and a spa-inspired shower room, with a complimentary session in the scenic sauna included in your stay.
- There is a large private garden to relax in, and ample scope for forest walks close by.
- Optional author coaching and guided nature walks can be booked separately.
- Snowdonia National Park is just 10 minutes away by car, or visit the town for book-shopping and Wednesday market-browsing.
Features
Adults Only
Facilities
Living/writing space with pull-out sofa, lounge-style chairs, oak desk and ergonomic office chair, desk fan, kitchenette with breakfast bar and two stools, under-counter fridge, sink, kettle, cafetiere, toaster, microwave, 2-ring induction hob, cooking/dining equipment, supply of milk, tea/coffee, chocolates, double bed with curated bedhead bookshelf, heating, hot water bottles and Welsh woollen blanket provided in winter, separate spa-inspired shower room with walk-in shower, flush toilet, sink, towels, soap, dressing gown, supply of spare toiletries, electric sauna, wooden veranda, large private garden, outdoor seating and table, yoga mat, private gated entrance, off-road parking.
Local activities
Nature walks, photography, wildlife-watching, stargazing, outdoor adventure, market, bookshops, historic sites
More information
For those leaving the car at home, there are excellent public transport links to Machynlleth, and plenty of scope for energising walks in nature. You can pre-order groceries for your arrival, and you’ll be welcomed with a few essentials: a bottle of local milk or plant milk, tea bags and ground filter coffee, and delicious vegan chocolates.
As if all this loveliness wasn’t quite enough, some of the proceeds from your retreat will help fund Julia’s writer development collaborations, hosting authors who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access a writer’s retreat.
Your own stay will be sumptuously grounded in life’s simple, yet all-too-rare, pleasures: pure natural beauty, inner peace, and the uplifting sense of achievement that comes from writing what you needed to write.
Things to note
3-night minimum stay. Self-led writing retreats can be booked for 3 nights (Friday to Monday), 4 nights (Monday to Friday), 7 nights (Monday to Monday or Friday to Friday) or 10 nights (Friday to Monday). Additional sauna sessions can be booked separately, along with author coaching (weekday stays only) and guided nature walks. Note that while the owners live 60m away on the site, the cabin is screened by trees for seclusion. The shower room, toilet and sauna are housed in an adjacent building, down a short flight of steps just 15 yards from the cabin.
Images © Robert Hughes – Our Corner of the World / Brad Carr / Emma Meese / Julia Forster
Current Offers
10% off Host Unusual stays, until 31 December 2026 - enquire for discount!
Where you'll be staying
near Machynlleth, Powys
What the guests of Write Within say
“What a perfect home-away-from-home, full of light and personality. It’s certainly a cosy space that still packs a punch; I was never without a corner to curl up in, a desk to upend my thoughts across or space to shake it all out! And (as is famously hard to come by in your average holiday home) a writer’s chair that is actually designed to have a long creative marathon in, and will take care of your back. The only thing standing between you and your writing will probably be the views – so beautiful they’re almost TOO distracting 😉 Anyone who needs to borrow a ‘room of ones own’ to create in, look no further.”
“Absolute bliss for writers who have difficulty focusing amidst the buzz and busy-ness of life. The cabin is perfectly isolated in the Welsh countryside, with stunning views of the valley (Julia provides you with directions for walks closeby, which I very much appreciated!) Julia and Tom are so thoughtful and responsive – I don’t drive, and they even offered pick up and drop off to the train station. You have absolutely everything you need, from dedicated writing spaces, to a healthy collection of coffee and teas to fuel your writing. Despite the isolation, the wifi is very good (something I was worried about), so it’s very easy to crack on with research.I had so many plans for what I would accomplish on my retreat, but the novel ended up taking its own direction. That’s the magic of the cabin – it gives your mind the space to see things from a different angle. Will definitely be booking again.”
“This place is absolutely magical. PERFECT for writing, but also for any kind of creative or resting retreat, or for exploring the gorgeous Dyfi valley. Write Within *is* a cabin, but everything is perfectly engineered, not a draft or a spidery corner in sight – there’s no sense of roughing it here. The cabin is beautifully equipped, including a full, usable kitchen, with a decent hob and microwave and lots of utensils – perfectly possible to cook a proper meal in comfort. The whole place is beautifully and cosy designed, in a lovely quiet spot but with the hosts close at hand if you need anything. And the sauna thrown in as an extra just totally makes it. I’ll be back!”
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