Your writing destination in the heart of Norwich
Located on the historic site of Dragon Hall, home to 1,000 years of stories, the Dragon Hall Cottage is the ideal choice for writers and translators seeking the time and space to focus on your writing.
Whether you’re hoping to start a new writing project or finish a manuscript, a retreat can be an important investment in your craft and an opportunity to get away from it all. With a Dragon Hall Retreat, you will have a quiet and convenient base from which to focus or to explore what Norwich and the National Centre for Writing has to offer.
Five and twelve night Retreats available, for single or dual occupancy.
Applications for 2026 are open now. Deadline: 17 November 2025.
‘The retreat was incredible. I have never had the opportunity to solely focus on my work for that amount of time… To have no responsibilities from home or work was a true gift’
What does a Dragon Hall Retreat include?
- Private accommodation* in the Dragon Hall Cottage; a 19th century brewers cottage that was fully renovated in 2018 into a two-bedroom house.
- The Cottage has free high-speed Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchen, a dishwasher, a fridge-freezer and laundry facilities.
- Professionally cleaning midway through your stay, with a change of linen (12-day retreats only).
- A convenient location in the heart of Norwich city centre, just five minutes from the train station.
- A welcome hamper on arrival, filled with locally sourced goods.
- A Cottage handbook with a guide to the city and local attractions.
- Invitations to National Centre for Writing events taking place during your stay (see What’s On for details).
- Stay solo, or with a literary friend (Cottage has two seperate bedrooms).
Your accommodation
The cottage is red brick two-storey house dating from the late 19th century. Originally, it was the family home for the head brewer from the brewery next door to Dragon Hall. The building was fully renovated in 2018 and now provides self-contained accommodation for creative writers and literary translators in residence.
The kitchen-diner includes cooking and laundry facilities, and the bathroom has a shower. Downstairs there is a sitting room with a sofa and armchairs, two desks, and a mini library with books by local authors and former residents. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, with windows overlooking the garden. Please note that the stairs up to the bedrooms are rather steep, in typical Norwich style.
There is terrace outside the front door featuring a herb garden which leads to the Dragon Hall garden.
Types of retreat
We welcome single or joint occupancy of the Cottage from writers and translators. Anyone with an interest in creative writing or literary translation – in the broadest sense – can apply.
The Cottage has two bedrooms. You can apply for solo occupancy or share the space with a collaborator.
Retreats are available in 12 or 5-day durations to suit your needs.
A 25% non-refundable deposit is required upon confirming your booking.
Please note, you will be required to cover your own travel and living costs.
Five-day retreat (Monday to Friday)
Single occupancy : £750
Double occupancy : £1,125
12-day retreat (Monday to Friday)
Single occupancy: £1,200
Double occupancy : £1,800
NCW Alumni enjoy an exclusive discount of 10%.
I made new writing friends and was invited to the studio and home of a local artist. It was an honour to be considered the ‘Writer in Residence’ at NCW.
Available retreats in 2026
Five-day retreats
2 – 6 February 2026
4 – 8 May 2026
11 – 15 May 2026
1 – 5 June 2026
8 – 12 June 2026
15 – 19 June 2026
22 – 26 June 2026
3 – 7 August 2026
10 – 14 August 2026
17 – 21 August 2026
24 – 28 August 2026
12-day retreats
2 – 13 Febraury 2026
4 – 15 May 2026
1 – 12 June 2026
8 – 19 June 2026
15 – 26 June 2026
3 – 14 August 2026
17 – 28 August 2026
Check-in days are Mondays, check-out days are Fridays. These can be flexible, and you can specify your preferences when applying.
If you have questions or wish to enquire about Autumn 2026 dates, please contact [email protected].
Apply for 2026
Applicants are asked to complete a simple form, explaining why you would like to take part in a Dragon Hall Retreat.
Applications are currently open – Deadline: 17 November 2025 for 2026 dates.
Assessment
Applicants will be assessed by NCW staff based on the following criteria:
- Timeliness: Why is it important to you to undertake this Retreat now?
- Location: Why is it significant to work in Norwich?
- Need: What will the retreat help you to achieve?
The Cottage was better equipped than home, easily accessible and central enough that I was able to walk to most places.
Why a Dragon Hall Retreat?
Norwich, UNESCO City of Literature
In 2012, Norwich became England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, joining an international network of creative cities. Today, Norwich remains the English destination for poets, novelists, biographers, playwrights, translators, literary critics, historians, environmentalists and philosophers. A place for writers as agents of change. It is a national hotspot for publishers outside of London, home to the University of East Anglia, British Centre of Literary Translation and a vibrant contemporary programme of literary events across the city.
A City of Stories to explore
Norwich is a city steeped in history and culture. Explore the historic Elm Hill, visit the bustling market to discover food from across the world, check out dozens of independent cafes, pubs, restaurants and more; all within comfortable walking distance from the Dragon Hall Cottage.
Before your Retreat, the NCW team send a curated overview of cultural attractions and activities in the city.
Conveniences and comforts
The Butterfly Café can be found opposite, and our staff favourite Café Club is within walking distance of the Cottage at the top of King Street. Stroll across the Lady Julian or Novi Sad Friendship Bridge to reach gyms, Norwich station, a supermarket and numerous shops at Riverside Retail Park – all within a 10-minute walk.
Free tickets for NCW Events
Dragon Hall is home to a vibrant programme of events. You will receive a complimentary ticket to all talks, performances and tours at Dragon Hall during your stay (excludes NCW Academy, workshops, and online events).
Monthly Dragon Hall Socials provide a great opportunity to meet local writers and creatives, share ideas and extracts from your current projects.
Expert and friendly team
The National Centre for Writing’s team are based on site at Dragon Hall, providing a friendly team on hand to help with anything you may need.
We are happy to provide you with information and advice about your writing career, signposting next steps and opportunities available via NCW, our national and international collaborators.
Support NCW, a leading literary charity
Your retreat supports National Centre for Writing. As a registered charity, all income from Retreats is reinvested in our community programmes, historic site, and talent development schemes for writers and translators. Our goal is to nurture the writers of tomorrow today, through a range of programmes and projects, to ensure a multiplicity of people and voices, regardless of background, can pursue their love of words in a professional or personal context throughout their lives.
Everyone was extremely helpful and connected me to relevant people in the community’.
More information
Payment
You will be invoiced for your retreat following acceptance of your place.
A 25% non-refundable deposit is required upon booking.
The remaining balance can be paid in a single payment (due six weeks before your retreat start date at the latest) or two equal instalments.
- Instalment one is due one month after confirming your place.
- Instalment two is due six weeks before the start date at the latest.
Contact us
If you have any questions about Dragon Hall Retreats, please contact us by email or telephone (01603 877177, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm).
Accessibility
The Cottage is located at Dragon Hall, located on King Street. It is a short walk from Norwich Station. More information about getting to our Literature House, and access on our site, can be found here.
About Dragon Hall
The Cottage is part of Dragon Hall; a 600-year old site of exchange and stories, now a contemporary Literature House home to the National Centre for Writing. Learn more.
Events
Please note Dragon Hall is a public cultural and heritage site. Events may take place onsite during your stay. If you join us for a Retreat, you will receive a free ticket to all talks, performance and tours at Dragon Hall during your stay (excludes NCW Academy, workshops, and online events).
Dragon Hall is also a popular wedding venue, and a wedding may take place during your stay. These take place in the main building and in the garden, weather permitting. They always finish by midnight. We hope the revelries won’t disturb you.
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