3–8 May 2026 · 6 days / 5 nights
Past retreat
Join textile artist Jayne Emerson for No Rules — A Textile Retreat, a five-night creative adventure celebrating freedom, experimentation and joy.
Textile Retreat
The retreat
Join textile artist Jayne Emerson for No Rules — A Textile Retreat, a five-night creative adventure celebrating freedom, experimentation and joy. Working in our light-filled studio spaces, you’ll explore a playful mix of textile and surface techniques — from gel printing, pleating and collage to needle felting and hand stitch — blending and layering materials in unexpected ways. This retreat is an ideas incubator: an invitation to follow your instincts, notice what brings you joy and rediscover your own creative language. Whether we gather in the cosy Winter Studio at The Lodge House or open the doors of the Cow Shed studio to the spring air, the week will unfold in colour, conversation and curiosity — a chance to experiment freely, share inspiration and reconnect with the pleasure of making.
What you’ll do
• How to develop your own creative aesthetic and visual language
• Techniques for gel printing, pleating, paper collage, needle felting, hand stitch and textural layering
• How to build mood boards, colour palettes and inspiration layouts unique to you
• Ways to mix and reinterpret textile techniques in unexpected ways
• How to curate your experiments into meaningful compositions and samples
• The confidence to let go of “shoulds” and embrace play, discovery and imperfection
As a residential guest, expect delicious fresh food created by our wonderful chef Kirstie, as well as tea, coffee and more throughout the day, and the bar is open for you from 6pm.
Jayne Emerson
Your tutor
Jayne Emerson is a mixed-media textile artist and tutor known for her bold, exploratory approach to making. With a background in fashion and textile design, she brings a wealth of technical skill and an instinctive sense of play to her teaching.
Jayne’s workshops are known for their energy and inclusivity — spaces where “rules” are joyfully bent or forgotten altogether. Her work spans embroidery, feltmaking, collage and surface design, always guided by curiosity and the belief that creativity flourishes when you give yourself permission to experiment.
In their own words
Booking
This retreat has already taken place. Get in touch and we’ll let you know as soon as the next one is announced.
Reserve your place
3–8 May 2026 · 6 days / 5 nights
Past retreat
Register interest in the next oneA question before you book? Get in touch.
Life at Court House Farm
Characterful bedrooms in the medieval and Tudor manor houses, each furnished with vintage finds and rich fabrics.
Resident chef Kirstie cooks seasonal, generous meals to bring everyone together at the end of each studio day.
Walled gardens, the orchard and quiet corners for sketching, reading or doing nothing at all between sessions.
You might also enjoy
2–7 August 2027 · 6 days / 5 nights
With Kaffe Fassett & Brandon Mably
from £3,250 · £500 deposit
Find out more
25–30 April 2027 · 6 days / 5 nights
With Jane McCall
from £3,250 · £500 deposit
Find out more 9–14 May 2027 · 6 days / 5 nights
With Jayne Emerson
from £3,250 · £500 deposit
Find out more
