“Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible”
- Katherine May, Wintering
Celebrate light in the darkest season
When the world demands endless productivity, nature calls us into an older wisdom. Winter is a time for deep transformation—while growth seems absent, roots are deepening underground and seed beds lie dormant, ready for spring. We too may have parts of ourselves needing rest and renewal, gathering energy for our own new season to emerge.
Join Agnes Becker, artist and science communicator, and Ruth Sneath, forest school guide, for a mid-winter retreat in the peaceful woodlands of Ickwell, Bedfordshire.
Together, we'll walk the winter landscape with wild journals in hand, gather around fires we've made ourselves, and reflect on what we're ready to release and what seeds we want to tend. You'll leave with new skills in wild journaling and fire-making, a deeper connection to the land, and permission to dream about the year ahead without resolution pressure.
Dear one, this is your invitation to step off the treadmill, warm your hands by the fire, and remember that transformation happens in the dark and the light will return.
LIMITED TO 10 PLACES
Ickwell Conservation Reserve is designated a Historic Park by Natural England and a recognised county wildlife site. Its nine hectares are filled with lakes, streams, meadows and woodland.
"I really felt immersed in nature"
"The day was such a joy. The variety of knowledge shared, discussion, creativity and settings made it feel like a real escape. Agnes is wonderful at putting people at ease and sharing her incredible knowledge in an accessible way. I really felt immersed in nature for the day. It was also lovely to walk away with a goody bag and something I had made. It ticked all the boxes - I can not wait for the next session."
- Penny on Agnes Becker's spring retreat participant
Retreat programme
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Welcome and grounding with warming drink
Ruth and Agnes will welcome you to Ickwell Conservation Reserve with a warm drink and an introduction to the site and a reflection on and what it means to find transformation in mid-winter.
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Wood | Wild woodland walk & drawing
Agnes will guide you through a wild journalling drawing exercise that will reignite your playful, creative spirit and get you seeing the life stirring in what might look like dormant trees. During the mindful walk Ruth will share knowledge of the different trees around us.
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Fire | Fire making
Ruth will guide you through making your own fire from natural materials.
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Alchemy | Stories, nourishment and reflection
We will enjoy warm drinks, cakes or soup and winter fairytale stories around our fires. We each burn what we want to release into the fire and dream up seeds of ideas for the year ahead to nurture during dark months.
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Closing reflections
We share key insights and feelings at the end of our time together before closing the retreat.
About your hosts
Agnes Becker (left) is an an artist, science communicator and creator of We Are Stardust - a place where art and science collide to enrich your experience of and relationship with our messy, beautiful universe.
Ruth Sneath (right) is the creator of the Secret Garden Forest School. Ruth works to increase access to and knowledge of the natural world through projects such as forest schools, tree planting, training, delivering the National Curriculum in nature, developing eco-schools and community engagement.
What the retreat will gift you
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Deeper seasonal connection
You'll leave with an enhanced relationship with the winter landscape and natural cycles.
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Wild journalling skills
You'll learn how to start wild journalling - making marks WITH nature on the page - without the fear of perfectionism with Agnes Becker.
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Fire making skills
You'll learn how to make a fire from scratch with natural materials with trained Forest School guide Ruth Sneath.
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Renewed perspective on winter
You'll leave seeing winter as a necessary time for transformation and creativity.
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Gentle vision for the year ahead
You'll start sowing seeds for a more thoughtful approach to year ahead without the harsh New Year's resolution pressure.
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Community
You'll have met like-minded individuals also seeking seasonal wisdom.
"Enlightening and enjoyable"
'The forest school training session was very informative, learning not only about the environment but also the safe and proper use of tools and ideas for crafts in a practical hands on session. Ruth’s knowledgeable and enthusiastic teaching gave me the skills to use unfamiliar tools and the confidence to teach others to do the same. A really enlightening and enjoyable session.'
- Bo, College Lecturer on Ruth Sneath's training
Gift yourself a day in the mid-winter woods exploring fire and alchemy.
Wood, fire and alchemy | A mid-winter retreat
Directions to Ickwell Conservation Reserve
The reserve is a 25-minute drive from the centre of Bedford and easy to find just off the A603 in the village of Ickwell.
Questions
What do I need to bring?
Wear warm, waterproof and comfortable clothing and shoes.
All drinks, cakes, drawing materials and fire making materials will be provided.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds will only be given if the event has to be unexpectedly cancelled so please buy with intention.
What if the weather is bad?
Please know that this is an entirely outdoor-based event. If the weather forecast looks to be very bad we will seek to reschedule the event, and will issue refunds to those who cannot make the new date.
Will dietary requirements be taken into account?
We will get in touch in advance for dietary requirements and will endeavour to meet your needs where possible. In some cases we may need to invite you to bring your own food.
I don't know anything about earth and roots - is that OK?
This retreat is perfect for anyone - seasoned nature lover or beginner - who is curious to know more about the earth and our reciprocal relationship with the more-than-human. Come spend a playful, joyful day nurturing your kinship with the trees and life in the soil.
Is the venue accessibility-friendly?
Unfortunately the space at Ickwell is not wheelchair friendly. We are always on the lookout for more accessible venues and hope to offer retreats at a wheelchair friendly space in the future.
Is there parking at Ickwell?
Yes! There is plenty of parking at Ickwell.