Autumn Residential Retreat: October 2025

Autumn Residential Retreat: October 2025

Relax in the English Lake District and stitch in luxury in the company of fellow embroiderers

October 25 - November 4, 2025

Mellerstain House

Askham Hall

Multi-disciplinary

From £6,750

Deposit £500

With the Following Tutors

Kate Barlow
Kate Barlow
Zina Kazban
Zina Kazban
Phillipa Turnbull
Phillipa Turnbull

Retreat Overview

Join us from October 25th to November 4th 2025, for an unforgettable retreat at Askham Hall, nestled in the scenic English Lake District. Begin with a night in Edinburgh, followed by a private tour of Mellerstain House before settling into the cozy Askham Hall.

Enjoy expert embroidery tuition from world-class tutors Phillipa Turnbull, Kate Barlow, and Zina Kazban.

Delight in excursions to stately homes and to the English Lake District, and relax with evening lectures and informal stitching sessions. With full board accommodation and superb cuisine, this retreat promises creativity, relaxation, and inspiration in a wonderful setting.

Zina at a crewel workshop

The Details

Full Itinerary

October 25 - November 4, 2025

Day 1 - ARRIVAL
Retreat starts at 5pm in Edinburgh at Kimpton Hotel, Charlotte Square.

Day 2 - TRAVEL & EXCURSION
Depart hotel at 9am. Private tour of Mellerstain House. Arrival at Askham for afternoon tea.

Day 3 - TUITION
Workshops begin! Class with either Kate or Zina.

Day 4 - TUITION
Class with either Kate or Zina, followed by a lecture in the evening.

Day 5 - TUITION
Class with either Kate or Zina. Option to join Phillipa for a crewel work day class.

Day 6 - VISIT
Optional Lake District excursion.

Day 7 - TUITION
Time to switch projects! Class with either Kate or Zina.

Day 8 - TUITION
Class with either Kate or Zina, followed by a lecture in the evening.

Day 9 - TUITION
Class with either Kate or Zina. Option to join Phillipa for a crewel work day class.

Day 10 - TUITION
Free day with any tutor.

Day 11 - FAREWELL
Retreat ends at Askham Hall at 9am. Onward travel included to: Penrith Train Station, Edinburgh Airport, and Edinburgh Hotel (city centre).

Arrival & Departure

Arrival: The retreat will officially begin at 5pm on Saturday 25th October 2025 at our Edinburgh Hotel, where we will spend our first night. We recommend flying to Edinburgh Airport, which is a 30 minute taxi journey to the hotel (we will provide transfers from Edinburgh Airport and local train stations). We will then travel south to Askham Hall at 9am the following day.

Departure: The retreat will end at Askham Hall on Tuesday 4th November at 9am. Onward travel will be provided to Penrith Train Station, Edinburgh Airport and our original Edinburgh Hotel (city centre).

Tuition

We will be joined by three world-class embroidery tutors for this retreat, all of whom are working on new designs. Students will choose between Zina Kazban and Kate Barlow for the main teaching days, and will have then have the option to join Phillipa for a fun crewel work design.

With six days of tuition plus a free day with any tutor, there is every opportunity to progress your designs and hone new skills.

What's Included

Accommodation & Food
10 nights full board accommodation throughout, with 1 night in Edinburgh and 9 nights at Askham Hall.

Tuition & Kits
6 full days of tuition, workshop kits, loan of a frames, magnifying light and other equipment, refreshments during class, and a goody bag.

Excursions & Lectures
Stately home and castle visits, day out in the Lake District, lectures and informal stitching sessions, as well as optional walks and Lake District visits.

Travel
Coach travel to and from Edinburgh airport and necessary travel as per the programme.

Retreat Workshops

Rare Historic Designs

Mellerstain Bird with Zina Kazban

The subject of Zina’s class will be an early Victorian embroidery from Mellerstain House in the Scottish Borders. The design, embroidered in silk thread onto an evenweave linen ground fabric, features a native English bird (possibly a Chaffinch) perched on a sprig. The design is framed in a floral bower. Zina will guide students in recreating the design in a brightened colour palette.

Book of Psalms with Kate Barlow

This remarkable artifact, a 1600s Book of Psalms stitched in fine needlepoint and metal thread embroidery, will be the subject of Kate's class for this retreat. Students will receive a square design that can be used to sample the stitches. They will also receive the full book design (in a slightly larger scale than the original), which can either be stitched during the retreat, or afterwards using the sample square for reference.

Mellerstain Roundel with Phillipa Turnbull

On the final tuition day, students can choose to spend time with either Zina or Kate, or enjoy a day class with Phillipa to create a roundel from early-18th century crewel work bed hangings in Mellerstain House. Phillipa will be exploring the colours, techniques and design of the original bed hangings.

Mellerstain House

A Historic Family Home

The Baillie Family have resided on the estate where Mellerstain House stands as far back as 1437. This Georgian mansion house is famously celebrated as one of Robert Adams' finest works is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful houses in the UK.

In 1987, John Baillie-Hamilton, the 13th Earl of Haddington, placed ownership of Mellerstain in the hands of a charitable trust to ensure its future. Today, Mellerstain is home to John's son George, the 14th Earl, and his family.

During a private tour of the house, we will have a chance to hear about the history of Mellerstain and to visit some of the many antique needlework pieces held by the Trust.

Askham Hall

Discover the charm of Askham Hall, a luxurious destination nestled in the picturesque English Lake District. This historic country house dates to at least 1280 and has been the family home of the Lowther family since 1784. With elegant accommodation, exquisite gardens, award-winning dining, and scening walking trails, Askham Hall is perfect for an exclusive English country vacation.

What's Included

Accommodation & Food
10 nights full board accommodation throughout (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and refreshment break during class included)
Travel
Coach travel during the retreat as required by the itinerary. Transfers from local train stations and Edinburgh Airport are available on request.
Tuition & Kits
6 full days of tuition, 3 workshop kits, a goody bag, plus loan of frames, magnifying light and other equipment.
Excursions & Lectures
Evening lectures from external speakers and tutors. Visit to Mellerstain House, as well as optional trips to local places of interest.

Meet your tutors

Kate Barlow

Professional Embroidery tutor and Fellow of the RSN

Kate Barlow is a renowned embroidery artist celebrated for her expertise in a broad range of needlework techniques. With a deep passion for preserving and teaching traditional embroidery, Kate has dedicated her career to mastering the intricate art of hand embroidery.
Learn More About Kate Barlow

Zina Kazban

Professional Embroidery tutor and Fellow of the RSN

Zina is a graduate of the Future Tutors programme at the Royal School of Needlework. She has also trained at Ecole Lesage (Métiers d’Art CHANEL).
Learn More About Zina Kazban

Phillipa Turnbull

Founder of Crewel Work Company

The founder of the The Crewel Work Company, Phillipa has over 30 years of experience as an embroidery tutor. She leads a fun and relaxed session packed with Crewel Work tips and tricks to get you feeling confident with your needle.
Learn More About Phillipa Turnbull
The Crewel Work Company has once again provided a wonderful, fully immersive experience with the techniques, history and cultural activities of the artistry of hand embroidery. I’m always glad to travel with the Crewel Work Company.
Kerri A Autumn Residential at Askham Hall, 2024 participant
As always, Crewel Work Company Residential Retreats are great. Askham Hall was a delight, the Askham staff were great and the food was amazing. The Crewel Work Co team, Phillipa, Laura and Priti do a fantastic job setting up the retreat and overseeing everything. They were always available, knowledgeable, and helpful.
Nancy F Autumn Residential at Askham Hall, 2024 participant