Fine Embroidery retreat 14th - 17th November 2025
Summary
Fine Festive embroidery with Deborah wilding
Dates
Friday 14th - Mon 17th November 2025
Location
Court House Farm, Portishead, Somerset, UK
Includes
3 nights’ accommodation, all meals and refreshments, expert tuition, inspiring talks, studio time, activities, and local visits
Cost
From £1250 residential (see full pricing below)
£590 Non-residential option available (see below)
Embroidery with Deborah Wilding
14th - 17th November 2025
at court house farm and gardens, portishead
about the retreat
Create a festive keepsake
Spend time with a hand embroidery specialist in the beautiful surroundings of Court House Farm.
This November, embroidery artist and hand embroidery designer Deborah Wilding brings her knowledge and enthusiasm of the subject of hand embroidery to Court House Farm for a special festive retreat. Deborah is a professional embroidery artist and teacher specialising in historical embroidery and the traditional arts. With a focus on preserving and sharing these time-honored techniques she offers expert instruction and knowledge to students seeking to add a touch of elegance and authenticity to their projects.
Over this weekend retreat we will be getting creative with a festive embroidery to keep as a treasured reminded of this special time of year. Deborah have created a number of winter and Christmas themed kits suited for all levels of embroidery skill covering a number of techniques such as raised embroidery, surface stitching, goldwork and silk shading.
Cost & Booking Details
3-night residential retreat: 14-17th Nov 2025
Starts 2pm 14th and ends 11.30 am 17th
Residential Packages:
£1490 – Private ensuite room in Historic Manors
£1350 – Private room with shared bathroom
£1250 – Shared twin room (booked together, both participating)
£1350 - Private room with ensuite in Victorian Court Lodge (just over the road)
Booking deposit: £500- see link below
Balance due before the retreat
Terms and Conditions
Coming from abroad?
We’re happy to help you plan a stress-free arrival or extended stay. Just get in touch to discuss options for arriving a day early or staying a little longer.
Want to bring a non-participating partner along? Contact us for availability and pricing.
Non-Residential Places
A small number of non-residential spaces are available for local guests who wish to attend the retreat without staying on-site.
More information available here >>>
4-Day Pass: £590 - limited spaces
This includes:
All tuition, workshops & studio access with Deborah
Refreshments and chef-prepared lunches
(excludes evening meals, wine and Bed & Breakfast)
Deposit: £150 (non-refundable)
The balance will be due 6 weeks prior to the retreat.
What’s Included
Residential: 3 nights' accommodation in our Tudor and Medieval manor houses or new Victorian Court Lodge
All meals ( residential) : seasonal, chef-prepared breakfast, Elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner with selected wines
All tuition and materials (where stated) for Deborah’s workshops in embroidery
A talk by art historian
Daily optional mindfulness / gentle yoga sessions
Flower picking and arranging in our gardens
Excursions to Clevedon Pier or Brunel’s Suspension Bridge
Time to explore the local high street, marina and nearby estuary walks
Small group size to ensure personal attention and connection
creative itinerary
Hand Embroidery – Day by Day
Day 1/2: Getting started with your festive project
A gentle introduction to the retreat and your creative journey.
framing up the embroidery of your choosing, an explanation of techniques involved and preparation work if required.
Techniques tailored for all levels, from complete beginners to confident stitchers
Day 3: Hand embroidery techniques
Learn the fundamentals of how to approach an embroidery design and the order of work necessary to give the best outcomes
Develop your hand embroidery techniques with a chance to share tips and tricks to get the best from your stitching
Day 4: Hand embroidery final day- reflection & farewells
Celebrate your festive season creation and share your final thoughts on the experience. Take time to photograph and style your work around the manor and/or gardens
A Little About Court House Farm
Court House Farm is a cluster of historic farm buildings and a medieval and Tudor manor, nestled in a remarkably secluded setting with beautiful country gardens—hidden just off the high street in the coastal town of Portishead, Somerset. While no longer a working farm, it’s a creative haven—rich in history and full of charm.
Our flower gardens, outbuildings, and lovingly restored interiors offer a peaceful and inspiring location for creative retreats. You’ll have access to the Cow Shed—a light-filled, seasonal art studio converted from one of the original farm buildings is perfect for making, stitching, and gathering.
There’s time, too, to explore the gardens, browse independent shops, walk along the coast to watch the sunset, or visit nearby Clevedon with its much-loved Victorian pier.
about Deborah
Historical Embroidery Artist & Tutor
Deborah is a professional embroidery artist and experienced tutor, specialising in historical and traditional techniques such as goldwork, stumpwork, crewelwork and silk shading. With a deep respect for time-honoured craft, she brings expert guidance, creative warmth, and a calm, supportive teaching style to her workshops — making intricate skills feel both accessible and inspiring.
Love the idea of a retreat with Deborah but can’t make this date? register your interest in a future retreat so we can notify you of our listings