What is a Golden Hinde embroidery retreat like?
Did you know that we hold Goldwork embroidery retreats 3-4 times a year with a variety of different themes? Our most recent goldwork embroidery retreat was on Monday 2nd March 2026 It was a week full of joy and laughter for the 15 people who joined us for our first stitching holiday of the year – Apple & Pear.
We welcomed our group to spend the week at Shallowford House, set within 9 acres of secluded gardens, lush woodland and meadows in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside.
Quality time, delicious food and expert embroidery support
Each day starts with a continental breakfast before the first goldwork embroidery lesson of the day. Embroidery techniques are taught with the use of a digital camera and a large screen to make the stitching visible for everyone. There’s no crowding around the tutor to try to see what is happening on a Golden Hinde retreat!
The first technique we taught at our Apple and Pear retreat was the jap circle, this can be a tricky technique especially at the start, the aim is to get your circle as perfectly round as possible. So starting off well and getting the initial stitches right and the beginning tight helps to set the foundation. We encourage you to practice jap circles, undoing what you have done if you are not happy. Trust us, your finished result will look better! We break up the morning with a coffee break and continue our embroidery project until lunch.
Lunch is a main course and dessert, cooked in house by the chef. We all sit together and this is a great time to chat to each other, make friends and enjoy the company. When lunch is finished we give you an hour or so of free time to do whatever you like. There are vast grounds to walk around in so many of the attendees choose to go for a walk, and stretch their legs – especially if the sun is shinning. The grounds also hold a small amount of animals, including Bruce the Alpaca, some goats, peacocks and rabbits.
During the afternoon we start our second session, which on some retreats may be an opportunity to introduce another technique, but on this particular project the Jap circle can be quite tricky so this was continued in the afternoon. We take another short tea break and then we continue until Dinner time.
At Shallowford, dinner is announced between 6-6:30pm by ringing a bell. Very helpful when you are so immersed in your sewing! main meal and desert. All served Homestyle.
After dinner (another delicious freshly prepared meal and dessert) we have another period of free time. Some people may choose to continue stitching as we socialise in the lounge but this is entirely by choice. We don’t pressure anyone to catch up, at a Golden Hinde retreat we recognise that everyone stitches at different speeds.
Filled with fun and laughter
We always like to have fun, and our embroidery retreats are often full of laughs and funny stories. We teach at least 1 technique morning and evening, repeating technique demonstrations as many times as people need, giving all the knowledge and encouragement that you need to complete your piece.
Quite often there are 2 of us at the retreat (depending on how many people we have on the retreat) so there is always someone to help, give encouragement or guide you with the project you are working on.
Want to join us on a goldwork embroidery retreat?
We hold 3-4 retreats a year, each one a different, unique project to choose from.
On some retreats you may have the flexibility to work on your own project, if you prefer. Our upcoming retreats are:
2026
– 27 April – 1 May Pin Cushion
– 8 June – 12 June Fabulous Flames
2027
– 2 March – 6 March 2027 Beautiful Butterfly letters
– 24 May – 28 May – Beautiful Goldwork Birds
– 5 July – 9 July The White Rabbit
– 27 September – 1 October Elegant Needlecase
We are so excited to share these projects with you, especially as 3 of them are brand new!