Wells Cathedral
A Feast of the Senses:
Explore how what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch inspires our writing and turns into stories in charming Wells, England
Registration Open Now!
2027 Dates: May 8-15th
“What an amazing workshop Debbie and Charlotte led in England. The gorgeous medieval city of Wells spawned new creativity in my CNF work. That creativity took new flight, nurtured and guided by master teachers Charlotte and Debbie as I dipped my toe into fiction writing for the first time. I loved working alongside the other writers in our group, experimenting and workshopping throughout the week. The Let’s Go Write gathering in Wells was unforgettable. I hope to return next year.”
Courtney Gulbro, Huntsville, Alabama
Come write with us in Wells, a lovely small English city full of warmth and charm. It has inspired us and our students since 2022 and we’re excited to return in 2027 for another workshop there, with a brand-new theme!
This year, we’ll be exploring the senses, and what they have to offer for our stories. We’ll use these sensory topics to enhance and expand upon the traditional techniques of creative writing, including characterization, description, dialogue, plot, and theme. Class assignments will be applicable to a work in progress or a brand-new project. All skill levels welcome.
We provide detailed information on how to get from London’s Heathrow airport (or other arrival points) to Wells. Then we’ll spend Saturday getting acclimated and getting to know each other, with a festive dinner at home or at a restaurant, depending on the group’s choice.
The Schedule
Saturday May 8: Arrive in Wells. Check-in is at 4 PM, though over the years we have learned to arrive a day or two early in order to settle in. We’ll spend Saturday evening getting acquainted and acclimated, with drinks and finger food at a location to be announced.
Sunday May 9: Sight. On our first workshop day, we’ll start with the obvious, what we see. Ancient structures, white swans, green hills, cobblestones, the bustling high street, bi-weekly outdoor markets, clusters of uniformed school children and more.
Monday May 10: Sound. Cathedral bells, bird song, the British accents of citizens walking the high street, an organ recital, or the cathedral choir at Evensong. Music is in the air here!
Tuesday May 11: Smell. Sniff out your story? Why not. Smell is evocative, flooding our brains with memories at a mere whiff. Tantalizing whiffs of food cooking at the outdoor market, and maybe petrichor—that indefinable smell of a first rain. Oh yes, and tea, of course. But tea is not everything! Wells has a couple of great coffee shops also. And there will be the wonderful aroma of bakeries, too.
Wednesday May 12: Taste. Fish and chips! (And mushy peas!) Quinine water! Halloumi cheese. Flapjacks! (They aren’t what you think.) A sip of wine (or a hearty British ale) after a good day’s work. Wells is host to several world-class Italian restaurants, so pasta, garlic and risotto will also delight your tastebuds.
Thursday May 13: Touch: The feel of a fine British woolen. The rough texture of an ancient wall, or the soft moss growing on it. Or how about the soft breeze or gentle raindrops on your skin? And of course, the feel of paper as you write, or the keyboard as you type.
Friday May 14: Put it all together. We’ll talk about what we’ve learned and how to take the magic of the workshop back into our everyday lives, say goodbye to our new friends, and depart renewed and reinvigorated.
Along with focusing on the above, we’ll also ponder:
A sense of place
A sense of history
A sense of wonder
A sense of character
A sense of story, because, of course!
The creative writing workshop will follow our usual format, with a bit of the feast of the senses of the region for added spice. Each morning we’ll meet from 9:30 to 12:30 for the “class” portion of the experience – a writing workshop format of mini-lectures from Debbie and Charlotte, in-class story writing exercises, and discussion of the pieces each of you will submit. (Yes, we will give you writing assignments at the end of class each day.) We’ll also assign a book or two for you to read ahead of time. In class we’ll discuss how the assigned books relate to our writing.
The location
And all of this will take place among friendly like-minded writers in Wells, a captivating city nestled in the green hills of Somerset. Wells has it all—a glorious cathedral (the “most poetic of English Cathedrals,” according to various internet sources), the Bishop’s Palace with peaceful gardens and a moat graced by elegant swans, a lively high street, and the Vicars’ Close, said to be Europe’s oldest residential street with original buildings intact.
Did we mention the town crier? The swan whisperer? The pubs and cafes and excellent restaurants? New Age mecca Glastonbury is nearby, as is Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for Roman baths dating to 60 AD, and then in the Georgian era a spa town with buildings of golden stone. It’s also the setting of the Jane Austen novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
And you’ll find also: accessible trails winding through gorgeous green countryside, the ancient megalith of Stonehenge a few miles up the road, and attractions like the Wooky Hole Caves, a one-million-year-old limestone cavern system. While you’re at it, you might want to visit nearby Cheddar Gorge, too. These and the other wonders of Wells will nourish your writing—and possibly change your life.
The Details
Cost:
Price is $3250.
A deposit of $500 saves your spot.
Early-bird special: Register with deposit by November 1, 2026, and you pay only $3100. Or pay in full by November 1 and pay only $2900. (No other discounts apply.)
Returning weeklong workshop students get an additional $100 off.
Price for a couple both taking the workshop is $4000, or $3800 if you register with deposit of $750 by November 1.
If a partner or companion wants to come and not participate in the workshop, a small supplemental fee will be charged.
Payment in full is due by February 1, 2026.
The price of the program covers lodging, tuition, breakfast and four dinners. Lunch and other dinners are flexible – a mix of meals at home and in restaurants– with the cost shared among participants.
What’s included:
Seven nights lodging in Wells.
Six morning workshops.
Breakfast and four dinners.
Evening gatherings to discuss writing, travel, and more.
One-on-one coaching session with Debbie and/or Charlotte.
Optional activities included in price:
Swan whisperer lecture
Writing community—connection with other writers that will last beyond your workshop experience.
“The encouragement and camaraderie os a group of aspiring writers; the guidance and support of two experienced workshop leaders; and all of this in a beautiful small city full of warmth and charm and stories of its own going back over many centuries. Creativity, fun, and excitement—what more could you want? This was my fourth year with Debbie and Charlotte in Wells and I can’t wait to get back there again in 2026.”
Jenni Gainsborough, Vancouver, Washington
For all of our workshops, we promise you the following:
Discussion of your work every day
Individualized attention and assignments
Dedicated time to write
Craft lectures
Expert advice on how to improve your writing
Connection and community with other writers
Good food and drink
Charming, historic locations
You won't have to share a room (unless your partner comes along)
How to apply: Send us a short statement (250 words or fewer) about where you are in your writing now and why you would like to join the workshop and what you hope to get out of it. The program is limited to eight participants.
What to expect: Please bring a computer with word processing capability. The houses where we stay have internet access; you will be expected to send your writing to other class members each day via email. We will discuss student writing as a group, focusing on each day’s subject matter. We encourage constructive discussion of how to improve the writing.
Physical fitness: Okay, we won’t make you do pushups or run a marathon, but you should be aware that there will be stairs, there will be hills and there will be walking. It’s not terribly strenuous, but be advised.
Cancellation policy: The $500 deposit is not refundable. Once you have paid the balance of the cost, we will provide a full refund (less deposit) if you cancel before March 15. If you cancel thereafter there is no refund unless you find a replacement student for us.
Travel insurance: It’s relatively inexpensive; we strongly recommend you purchase it. Allianz is one company we’ve used; MH Ross Advantage plan is recommended by our travel agent friend.
Let us know you’re interested on our contact page or by contacting chardixon@comcast.net or dguyol@aol.com
