Cloth: A Textile Retreat with Matthew Harris
3rd- 8th August 2025
Court House Farm and Gardens, Portishead, somerset, UK
CLOTH | art textiles RETREAT
Dates
Sunday 3rd August – Friday 8th August 2025
Location
Court House Farm, Portishead, Somerset, UK
Includes
5 nights’ accommodation, all meals and refreshments, expert tuition, inspiring talks, activities, and local visits
Cost
From £2150 (see full pricing below)
Non-residential option available
about the retreat
Join renowned textile artist Matthew Harris for a deeply inspiring 5-night creative retreat in the historic setting of Court House Farm, Portishead, Somerset. This immersive workshop-led retreat invites you to explore drawing, mark-making, and textile construction through playful and experimental processes. With expert guidance, chef-prepared meals, and time to relax among likeminded creatives, this retreat is designed to spark new ideas and bring joy to your creative practice- new or established.
What’s Included
Accommodation in a stunning medieval manor (1300sAD) or adjoining Tudor Manor house (1500sAD) the opportunity to stay in a beautifully renovated country house, steeped in history
Fully catered, chef prepared meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with selected wines and all refreshments.
Expert teaching from Matthew Harris including talks, workshops and guided studio time
Daily guided mindfulness sessions / low key yoga! (optional)
Inspiring and engaging talk from History of Art professional
Flower Picking and Arranging in our beautiful flower garden
Fulfilling conversation with likeminded individuals
Visit from a textile trader bringing mouth-watering vintage textiles to purchase from her expeditions in France.
A local visit to a nearby cultural spot, Brunels suspension bridge, and / or the nearby Clevedon Pier- the prettiest in England!
Time to potter to the shops or walk to the nearby Marina or estuary to see the beautiful sunsets.
Itinerary
To Cut On Fold
To ….. To….. To ….. To ….. To ….. To ….. To ….. To….. To ….. ?
Adventures in drawing and making for textiles
“Play continues to be a big factor in my studio, because that’s how one allows oneself to move in directions which one could not have foreseen.” — Richard Serra
Matthew’s workshops focus on adventurous, playful ways to generate visual and tactile inspiration for textiles. You will explore processes such as drawing, painting, stencilling, collage, and more to create a library of visual material inspired by observation and Serra’s verb list.
Day 1 — Drawing & Gathering
Immersive observational drawing exercises using line, shape, colour, pattern, and texture to gather visual material.
Days 2–4 — Response & Development
Playful experimentation with Serra’s verbs — roll, crease, stretch, knot, etc. — to manipulate both visual imagery and fabric. Techniques include stitching, appliqué, construction, and deconstruction.
Day 5 — Show & Tell
Final morning session to share your work, photograph your creations in the beautiful setting, and say farewells.
About Court House Farm
Court House Farm is a cluster of historic buildings nestled in the heart of seaside Portishead, Somerset. Though no longer a working farm, the site retains its charm, dating from pre-Domesday with the current manor houses built in the 1300s and 1500s. The surrounding four acres include a flower farm, rose garden, and inspiring studio spaces (yes, even the cowshed—clean, rustic, and full of character!).
Portishead’s coastal walks, marina, and charming high street are just a stroll away. Expect a magical blend of history, creativity, and comfort.
Cost / Booking Details
This is a 5-night residential retreat
Date: 3rd–8th August 2025
Pricing (Residential)
£2550 – Own ensuite room
£2350 – Own room, shared bathroom
£2150 – Shared twin room (for two attending guests)
Contact us for details if you wish to bring a non-participating partner.
Deposit: £500 (non-refundable)
Balance due: 8 weeks before the retreat
Payment: By Bank Transfer or PayPal (PayPal fees apply)
All course fees are non-refundable unless we cancel, in which case full refunds or alternate dates will be offered.
If you’re traveling from abroad or wish to arrive early/stay longer, please reach out to discuss arrangements.
Non-Residential Offer
Join us as a day guest if you’re local
What’s Included (Day Guests)
Half-day arrival session on 3rd August, 2–5pm (Introductions + Afternoon Tea)
Four full workshop days 4th–7th August with Matthew Harris
Morning session and Show & Tell on 8th August, 9–11:30am
All materials and studio use
Chef-prepared lunches and refreshments
Access to relaxing optional activities (yoga, flower picking, etc.)
Cost: £990
Deposit: £250
Balance due: 8 weeks prior
(Evening meals, wine and accommodation not included.)
About Matthew Harris
Matthew Harris creates works in both paper and cloth, employing painting, cutting, and hand-stitching techniques. His improvisational process transforms observational drawings into layered, tactile textile pieces.
He has exhibited widely across the UK, Europe, the US, and Japan. His work is held in the Crafts Council Collection, the Whitworth Museum, the International Quilt Museum (Nebraska), and more. Notable projects include Scorched for the Bristol Beacon Concert Hall and Field Notes, a collaboration with composer Howard Skempton.
Matthew lives and works in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Learn more and visit Matthews website
testimonial
“You have no idea the treat you are in for when you book a stay at Court House Farm. Your hosts Helen and Mick are delightful, warm, hospitable and just fun to be around. The passion with which they fully renovated Court House Farm is obvious from the beautifully furnished main house and manor house to the gorgeous flower and rose gardens. The feel of this place is magical as they have thought of everything for your comfort and enjoyment during your stay. Court House Farm is the best blend of staying in a beautiful historic inn mixed with hosts as welcoming as family.”