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

Delight in excursions to stately homes and the Lake District, complemented by lectures and informal stitching sessions. With full board accommodations and enriching experiences, this retreat promises creativity, relaxation, and inspiration in a stunning setting.

Zina at a crewel workshop

The Details

Full Itinerary

October 25 - November 4, 2025

Day 1 - ARRIVAL
Retreat starts at 5pm in Edinburgh

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, who are working on new designs for this retreat! Students will join Zina Kazban and Kate Barlow who are offering two new flagship designs, and will 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

Two Rare Antiques As Inspiration

Mellerstain Bird with Zina Kazban

The subject of Zina’s class will be an early Victorian embroidery discovered in the collection at Mellerstain House. The design, embroidered in silk thread onto silk material, features a Sparrow perched on a sprig, framed in a bower of flowers and foliage. Zina will guide students to create the beautiful bird and surrounding floral decoration using the original as inspiration.

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 sessions during the Askham Retreat. Your will work on a square section of the front of the design and be taught all the techniques featured across the book binding.

New Design from Mellerstain House 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 creating a memento from the unusual crewel work bed hangings with ‘false quilting’ in Mellerstain House.

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 Adam’s finest works and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful houses in the country.

Today Mellerstain is home to John Baillie-Hamilton, the 13th Earl of Haddington, who in 1986 placed the ownership of Mellerstain in the hands of a charitable trust to ensure its future.

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

Askham Hall

Discover the charm of Askham Hall, a luxurious vacation destination nestled in the picturesque English Lake District. This historic country house hotel offers elegant accommodations, exquisite gardens, and award-winning dining. Perfect for relaxation and adventure, guests can explore scenic walking trails, indulge in spa treatments, and experience the rich heritage of the surrounding village of Askham.

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 itinerary. Transfers from local train stations and airport are available on request. Group transfer to Manchester city centre or airport on departure.
Tuition & Kits
6 full days of tuition, 3 workshop kits, loan of a frames, magnifying light and other equipment, and a goody bag.
Excursions & Lectures
Evening lectures from local speakers as well as from our tutors. Visit to Mellerstain House, as well as optional trips to local landmarks and towns 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 Residential Retreats are great. Askham Hall was a delight, the Askham staff was great and the food was amazing. The Crewel Work 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

Escape to the Country!