ACCOMMODATION AND

ACCESSIBILITY

GET READY

There are two shared and 12 single rooms.

Each room has a writing desk. Bathrooms
are shared with up to four other students,
but usually fewer. We provide sheets and
towels for you.
The centre has a hearing induction loop
and the main work/living space is fully
accessible. One of the single rooms is
wheelchair accessible. The centre can
accommodate a personal assistant.

TRAVEL TO/FROM
TOTLEIGH BARTON

We strongly encourage you to travel to

Totleigh Barton by public transport. The
nearest train station is Exeter St Davids,
which is just over an hours drive away from
Totleigh. Please contact us at least a week
before the course starts if youd like a taxi to
collect you from the station. The pick-up
point is immediately outside the main
station exit at 3.30pm. You can share the
fare with others travelling to Totleigh,
paying the driver on arrival. We can also
arrange for a taxi to take you back to Exeter
St Davids on Saturday morning at 10am.
When youre booking your return ticket,
please bear in mind that it takes at least
an hour to get from Totleigh to Exeter.

TOTLEIGH
BARTON
Tra

River Torridge

Highampton

Hatherleigh
A3
86

A3072
Holsworthy

A386

Great
Torrington

ck

To step over the threshold

into Totleigh Barton has
always been to step into
a world of writing.
Penelope Shuttle

BY CAR

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Sheepwash

To get the most out of your course, we

strongly recommend that you familiarise
yourself with some of the tutors work
before you arrive it will make a world
of difference. If, during the week, youd
like your tutors to read work that youve
already written, please bring two printed
copies. Its unlikely that theyll have the
time to read more than a few pages, but
that can be enough to give them a sense
of your writing style and how to advise you.

A3072

Okehampton

From Okehampton, take the A386 towards

Hatherleigh. At the roundabout outside
Hatherleigh, turn left and take the A3072
to Highampton, where you need to look
for the right-hand turning for Sheepwash
(on a sharp, left hand bend). After about
a mile, turn right to Totleigh, immediately
before the bridge over the River Torridge,
and down a narrow lane, signposted
Totleigh. After about 3/4 mile, on a long
rise, youll see the Arvon sign at the start
of a track on the left. Drive carefully along
the road which is raised above the field,
and make sure not to leave the track, as
you may get stuck. The house is at the
very end of this track.

Totleigh Barton
Sheepwash
Beaworthy
Devon EX21 5NS
Telephone
01409 231 338
Email
totleighbarton@arvon.org
Blog
www.arvonblog.org/totleighbarton

TOTLEIGH
BARTON

www.arvon.org
The Arvon Foundation is a registered charity
(Charity No 306694) and a company limited
by guarantee (Registered in London No 1086582)
Made by me&him with word-design

www.arvon.org

WELCOME TO ARVON
Since 1968, Arvon has offered people time
and space to write. In beautiful countryside,
with expert tuition and the support of other
like-minded writers, you can feed your
imagination and let your stories flourish.
We welcome all: beginners, published writers,
schools and groups.
Totleigh Barton is a 16th-century manor house in one
of the most peaceful and beautiful parts of Devon.
Surrounded by farmland, its two miles from the village
of Sheepwash, with walks along the River Torridge nearby.
The Centre Directors will be your hosts in a relaxed and
friendly atmosphere. This is not a hotel it is your home
for a week. Youll find many quiet places to write in the
house and garden and a well-stocked library.

ABOUT THE WEEK

TELEPHONES AND TECHNOLOGY

Youll be writing, eating, cooking and living

together with a group of up to 15 other writers.

At all Arvon houses theres no internet

connection or wifi available so youll have
nothing to distract you from writing! Totleigh
Barton has poor mobile phone reception.
You may get better reception if you take a short
walk up the hill. Theres a payphone in the
house. If family and friends need to reach you,
the direct number is 01409 231377. There are
four basic computers and a printer you can use,
but we encourage you to bring your own laptop
if you have one. Do bring a USB memory stick
if you want to use our computers or transfer
work from your own computer to print.

On Monday, please arrive between 4.30pm

and 6pm. The first meeting usually starts at
6pm. Dinner is prepared for you, and served
at 7pm. After dinner, the tutors will give you
a general introduction to the course.
Most Arvon weeks follow this structure
(although retreats are a little different):
Each morning the tutors lead workshops to
help you explore writing ideas, forms or
techniques.
In the afternoons youre free to do your own
writing. Youll have at least two one-to-one
tutorials (about 20 minutes long), one with
each tutor, to consider your writing in more
depth.
In the evenings the tutors and mid-week
guest tutor will read from their own work.
On Friday evening the group gets together
to share and celebrate everyones writing.
The week comes to a close on Saturday
morning. You should arrange to leave
by 10am. Make time for fond farewells!

FOOD
All your food and drink supplies are provided,
except for alcohol, which can be delivered on
request early in the week from a local wine
merchant. Were firmly committed to buying
seasonally and locally produced goods.
Our menu reflects this. If you have any dietary
needs because of ethical, religious or medical
reasons, were happy to cater specifically for
you when you book, please let us know.
Every day, youll help yourself to breakfast and
lunch. Each evening, a different team of writers
takes turns to cook dinner. The recipes and
ingredients are provided, theres lots of help
at hand, and its a great way to get to know
your fellow writers (so fear not.) Cooking
teams also take a turn to do the washing-up.

STAFF
Mary Morris is the Centre Director at Totleigh
Barton. She organises the annual programme,
and manages the house, alongside Eliza Squire,
the Assistant Centre Director and Erica Fisher,
the Centre Assistant. Sue Walker is the
Administrator she looks after course bookings
and grants. The office is open 9.30am 5pm
weekdays. If you have any queries about your
course, travel arrangements or specific medical,
dietary or access needs, please dont hesitate
to call us on 01409 231338.

THINGS TO BRING

Two pairs of shoes: indoors and outdoors

Waterproof jacket
A hairdryer if you need one
Warm clothing we have a wood-burning
stove and central heating, but a big old
country house can get cold!
Paper and pens
USB memory stick
(if you would like to print your work)
Laptop if this is your preferred writing
method, not essential
Cash for taxi fares, alcohol or tutors books
Basic toiletries