Natural dye & embroidery retreat 13- 18 May 2026
embroidery Retreat with Deborah Wilding
Dates: 13 - 18 May 2026
Duration: 6 days/ 5 nights
Tutor: Deborah Wilding
Hosts: Helen, Mick & CHF team Kirstie, Victoria, Sophie, Paris)
Venue: Court House Farm, Portishead BS20 6PU, UK
Experience level: Suitable for all levels
Small group for focused tuition and connection
Includes
5 nights’ accommodation, all meals and refreshments, expert tuition, inspiring talks, studio time, activities, and local visitsCost
From £1990 residential (see full pricing below)£990 Non-residential option available (see below)
about the retreat
This May, artist and hand embroidery specialist Deborah Wilding brings her passion for natural colour and stitch to Court House Farm for a very special spring retreat. Drawing inspiration from her work with The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, Deborah will guide you through the gentle alchemy of natural dyeing — showing how the plant materials around us can be transformed into exquisite colour for embroidery. From flowers gathered in the garden to pigments made from saved kitchen scraps, you’ll discover how simple techniques can yield an extraordinary palette. Working with natural fibres such as linen, silk and wool, Deborah’s thoughtful teaching will open up a slower, more connected way of making — one rooted in nature, tradition and creativity.
Costs & Booking
Residential (5 nights, all inclusive)
Arrival: 2pm, Wednesday 13 May 2026 for afternoon tea and gather at 3pm for induction & studio session with Claire
Farewell: 11.30am, Monday 18 May 2026
£2,550 — Own ensuite room in the historic Manor
once our allocation of rooms are filled in the manor we use our Court Lodge accommodation (Victorian house just at end of drive) All rooms are ensuite£2,350 — Own room, shared bathroom (2 sharing)
£1,990 — Shared twin room (price per guest)
Reserve with a £500 non-refundable deposit - see our terms & conditions for details
we welcome non-participating guests to join us with a paying guest - price for room & food will be quoted on request
For those with longer to travel we offer additional nights without catering - price quoted on request
Non- residential option Join us with a 6- day pass - see below
Costs & Booking cont.
Non-Residential — 6-Day Studio Pass
For those creatives who live locally and can travel to us daily we offer a 6-day pass. On-site parking available.
Venue: Court House Farm, Portishead BS20 6PU, UK
Cost: £990
Arrival: 2pm, Wednesday 13 May 2026
Daily workshops: 9.30am – 4.30pm + talks - 14-17 May 2026
Farewell: 11.30am, Monday 18 May 2026 - we would welcome you to join us for some time to reflect on the experience, share the work created and say farewells
Includes: all tuition & workshops, studio access, and lunches (excludes accommodation, bar and evening meal).
Reserve with a £250 non-refundable deposit - see our terms & conditions for details
what you’ll learn
An introduction to natural dyes and hand embroidery – explore Deborah’s creative process and begin your own journey using nature’s colours.
Hands-on experiments with hand-dyed materials – try simple dyeing techniques and set up your own solar dye jar to take home.
The fundamentals of natural dyeing – learn how to create dye baths for threads, understand how environment and materials influence colour, and explore over-dyeing to achieve layered tones.
Embroidery with natural fibres – begin an embroidery on linen fabric using linen threads from Studio Flax, Bristol, with kit options to suit your level and interests.
Creating with colour – prepare and dye threads, experiment with silk and linen, and discover how different fibres absorb and transform natural colour.
Bundle dyeing with flowers – use found petals and natural extracts to make your own hand-dyed silk scarf.
Developing your stitched piece – refine your embroidery with naturally dyed threads, learning techniques for texture, tone and design.
Celebrating your work – photograph and style your creations around the manor and gardens, and share your creative journey with the group.
about court house farm
Court House Farm in Somerset is a place to rest, restore, and create. Our retreats combine expert tuition with the charm of a historic setting – from the walled gardens to the light-filled Cow Shed studio. Accommodation is in the Tudor & medieval Manor House and Court Lodge House, offering comfort and character in equal measure. Guests often describe their time here as “a nourishing escape,” where creativity flows as freely as the conversation.
What’s Included
Tutor-led workshops and dedicated time to develop your practice
Morning mindful movement or gentle stretching sessions (optional)
Art history/ relevant talks for inspiration
Access to Court House Farm’s gardens, grounds, and communal spaces
Local excursions, seasonal walks, or gallery visits
All meals and refreshments by our wonderful retreat Chef & team
(residential (day guests join us for Lunch & refreshments))Accommodation in the Historic Manor House or Court Lodge (residential)
Materials where stated, ‘Kit’ for workshop, full list of materials required sent after booking
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