Block printing retreat with
annika reed

21st- 26th September 2025
Court House Farm and gardens, portishead, UK

about the retreat

Unplug, Create, and Immerse Yourself in the Art of Block Printing

Step away from screens and the pace of everyday life, and into a slower, more meaningful rhythm—one shaped by ink, pattern, nature, and connection.

Join award-winning printmaker and designer Annika Reed for a five-night creative retreat at the beautiful and historic Court House Farm in Somerset. Set within a peaceful garden oasis, yet right in the heart of the seaside town of Portishead, this is a space where old stone walls, winding paths, and centuries of character invite you to slow down and reconnect with your creativity.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced maker, you’ll be gently guided through each stage of the block printing process—from drawing and carving to printing your designs onto fabric. You’ll create bespoke homewares, including your own lampshade, while learning how to turn everyday inspiration into art.

But this retreat is about more than just making—it’s about being.
Expect cosy corners, beautiful historic interiors, nourishing chef-cooked meals, and the kind of thoughtful, fulfilling company that sparks both conversation and creativity. We’ll also take time for peaceful walks, garden moments, and a visit to Clevedon’s famously picturesque pier.

Come for the printmaking. Stay for the inspiration, the people, and the joy of creating something that’s truly your own.

What’s Included?

• Five nights' accommodation in a beautifully restored medieval manor (c.1300s) or adjoining Tudor house (c.1500s)

• All meals fully catered by a private chef, including breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner with selected wines

• All materials and tools for block printing, fabric work, and lampshade making

• Daily guided mindfulness sessions or yoga (optional)

• Talks from a History of Art expert, designed to inspire and deepen your creative process

• Flower picking and arranging in our seasonal cutting garden

• Visit to local landmarks, including Brunel’s Suspension Bridge and Clevedon Pier—reputedly the prettiest pier in England

• Excursion to a local market or shopping destination for a taste of the area’s charm

• Opportunities for evening walks to the nearby estuary to catch breath-taking sunsets

• Time and space to connect with like-minded creatives in a relaxed, nurturing environment

Itinerary

Block Printing – Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival, Inspiration & Drawing

A gentle introduction to the retreat and your creative journey.

• Settle in and meet your fellow makers over a warm, welcoming meal

• Guided introduction to the history of Court House Farm and its gardens

• Explore the grounds for inspiration—nature, architecture, and heritage motifs

• Afternoon drawing session with mark-making and creative exercises

• Techniques tailored for all levels, from complete beginners to confident creatives

Day 2: Carving & Printing

Time to turn inspiration into design.

• Learn the fundamentals of repeat pattern and block design

• Develop your own motif and transfer it to a lino block

• Begin the carving process with expert guidance

• Start printing onto fabric, exploring colour, texture, and layout possibilities

Day 3: Lampshade Making & Layered Print Techniques

Bringing your designs into the world of homewares.

• Print the fabric for your very own 30cm drum lampshade

• Learn how to assemble and finish your bespoke piece

• Explore advanced techniques: reduction woodcut or white-line woodcut

• Experiment with layering colours and building multi-step prints

Day 4: Pattern Play & Home Textiles

Expand your creative language and explore scale.

• Push your designs further with new layout and composition approaches

• Print onto larger home textiles such as tablecloths, napkins, or cushions

• Continue experimenting with scale, repetition, and layered techniques

• Final group showcase to celebrate everyone’s creative journey
  
  Day 5: Photography & goodbyes
  Celebrate your work and share your final thoughts on the experience. Take time to photography and style your work around the manor and/or gardens

A little about Court House Farm…

Court House Farm isn’t a working farm — not in the traditional sense, at least! It’s a beautifully restored cluster of historic buildings, with roots that go all the way back to pre-Domesday times.

The two main houses — one medieval, one Tudor — date from around 1350 and are surrounded by a handful of charming outbuildings. (Yes, you might find yourself making art in the cowshed — but rest assured, it's cow-free and spotlessly clean!)

We have four acres of gardens to explore, including a small flower farm, and we’re nestled right in the heart of the estuary/ seaside town of Portishead, Somerset. There’s a lovely little high street, a picturesque marina, stunning coastal walks — and some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll see.

During your stay, we’ll also enjoy a few light-hearted interludes — perhaps a visit to nearby Clevedon, our neighbouring seaside town, home to what might be the prettiest pier in England. And of course… there will be plenty of flowers.

For more images and information, do take a look around our website — we’d love to share more of this magical place with you.