Mon 10 Aug
|Chateau de Sacy
Creative Writing Masterclass with James Scudamore
Sought-after writing tutor and Booker-nominated author James Scudamore will help hone your fiction skills over five days of workshops and 1-2-1s. Your own room, feasts, yoga and outings in our captivating Picardie surroundings all part of the fun
Time and Place
10 Aug 2026, 14:30 – 16 Aug 2026, 11:50
Chateau de Sacy, 1 Rue Verte, 60190 Sacy-le-Petit, France
What's Happening
CREATIVE WRITING MASTERCLASS
We are thrilled that the award-winning, Booker-nominated author and experienced writing tutor James Scudamore, admired by the varied likes of Hilary Mantel and Irvine Welsh, is joining us this August. He will lead a series of themed workshops at the château exploring different ways to hone the craft of your fiction. Topics will include Voice, Character, Setting, Point of View, Plotting and Getting Published. Whether you’re already in the middle of a project or wondering how on earth to start one, these daily workshops and one-on-one sessions will suggest practical strategies and helpful techniques to help unlock your confidence and creativity.
On the final, celebratory evening, there will be group readings.
All bedrooms have a desk and there are other peaceful spaces to work in – the salon, the barn, the gardens, the studio
YOGA
The beautiful old barn makes a perfect space for pre-breakfast Vinyasa Flow yoga classes, run for all levels by popular Sacy regular Megane Thiboust. These will clear your mind and prepare you for the focus of the day ahead.
FOOD AND DRINK
Meals will be Ottolenghi-inspired, largely vegetarian, nutricious and locally sourced where possible. We can cater for various dietary restrictions on request.
Each participant will pair up with another to prepare one dinner, with ingredients and recipe supplied and help at hand.
Coffee, tea, fruit and snacks will be available throughout the day in a separate communal kitchen.
Wine will be served with dinner.
ACCOMMODATION
We offer a range to suit different budgets - from a furnished bell tent in the orchard that can be shared with a friend, to an en suite with windows giving on to both sides of the garden. All the rooms are private. You can find out more about each option here or by clicking on the images below.
OUTINGS
Thursday To the fascinating Armistice Museum, site of the train carriage where the Armistice of both World Wars were signed. After lunch in the riverside town of Compiegne, we will spend the afternoon at its magnificent château, built by Louis XV and remodelled by Napoleon.
Saturday Optional outing to a medieval convent where the Poor Clares once lived and toiled, and to the picturesque town of Senlis.
FREE TIME
Walk through the nearby woods to the Chapelle Saint Catherine, a spot visited by Joan of Arc
Swim in a large, gorgeous lake surrounded by wildlife
Explore the countryside on our boneshakers, ie bikes
Learn to walk our tightrope
Play table tennis or French billiards
Dive into the theatrical dresses, suits and hats of the Dressing-up Room
Or just relax and soak up the atmosphere at the château
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Six nights in your own room or furnished bell tent at the château
(sheets, towels and toiletries provided)
Five writing workshops
Two 1-2-1 sessions with James
Four yoga classes, with equipment provided
Lifts to and from the station
Welcome cocktail
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at the château
Wine (within reason) at dinner
Coffee, tea, juice, snacks at all times
Use of the communal kitchen
Run of (most of) the house, gardens and outdoor buildings
Use of our boneshakers, ie bicycles
Wifi
Parking space
Outings to local lake and places of interest
Travel advice
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Travel costs
Airport transfers
Travel Insurance
Visa fee if required
One lunch away from the house
Entry tickets on excursions
TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST WRITING RETREATS
'Came here with no ideas and nothing on paper and left with a concrete plan and words on paper. Gained many kilos as a result of the great comfort food.' Marieke Heikens
'Great week, help, inspiration and women in an unforgettable setting. Thank you!' Kate Slater
'What a week! What a house! Thank you for an incredible experience and the out of this world food. Loved the dressing-up room. Special.' Emma Louise Gallic
Find out more about our tutor James Scudamore and the schedule here. More about each room here.
BOOK YOUR SPOT
Apartment
This large, carpeted double has its own loo and shower, excellent wifi, comfortable armchair, wardrobe space, alcove bed, marble fireplace and adjacent communal kitchen. It can be booked for one participant or two booking together.
From £1,299.00 to £2,399.00
£1,299.00
+£32.48 ticket service fee
£2,399.00
+£59.98 ticket service fee
Blue Room
The picturesque blue rooms have a striking, ancient patina with a tiled floor, desk, a marble fireplace, marble washstand, and an annexe with a daybed to store clothes. Shared loos, bathroom and shower room are along the corridor. The rooms can be booked for one participant or two booking together.
From £1,099.00 to £1,999.00
£1,099.00
+£27.48 ticket service fee
£1,999.00
+£49.98 ticket service fee
End Room
A delightful room full of light on the first floor. It has a large, curtained-off single bed, tiled floor, fireplace, two windows and desk. Shared loos, bathroom and shower room are along the corridor.
£999.00
+£24.98 ticket service fee
Gambetta Room
A very large, atmospheric room under the eaves.. It has a carpeted floor, good wifi, desk, clothes rail, full-length mirror and chaise longue. The shared loos, bathroom, and shower room are down a flight of stairs. Can be booked for one or two of you together
From £999.00 to £1,899.00
£999.00
+£24.98 ticket service fee
£1,899.00
+£47.48 ticket service fee
Archive Room
A large, basic but romantic room under the eaves.. It has a carpetted floor, wifi, desk, clothes rail, full-length mirror and contains many historical objects. The shared loos, bathroom, and shower room are down a flight of stairs. Can be booked for one or two of you together
From £999.00 to £1,899.00
£999.00
+£24.98 ticket service fee
£1,899.00
+£47.48 ticket service fee
Mansarde
A cosy, carpetted room with twin beds, clothes rail, skylight and desk. The shared loos, shower and bathroom are down a flight of stairs. Can be booked for one participant or two booking together.
From £899.00 to £1,699.00
£899.00
+£22.48 ticket service fee
£1,699.00
+£42.48 ticket service fee
Bell Tent
The furnished, 4m Bell Tent is pitched in the orchard and has a single bed (another may be added), bedding, a rug, low table, desk and camping lights. You will have use of the shared loos and shower in the house. The tent can be booked for one participant or two booking together.
From £899.00 to £1,699.00
£899.00
+£22.48 ticket service fee
£1,699.00
+£42.48 ticket service fee
Total
£0.00