Ascot, London Retreat

Prior to the sewing retreat you are offered a complimentary 20min zoom call with Izzy (your sewing instructor for the weekend) to discuss your project and any specific goals you'd like to achieve.

Saturday

• Arrive at 10am with welcome drinks and biscuits.

• 10-12:30pm Sewing time, supported by sewing instructors.

• 12:30pm Enjoy lunch in the dining room.

• 1:30-5pm Sewing time, supported by sewing instructors.

• 5-7pm Free time. Enjoy a stroll through the hotel’s woodland walk up to the walled gardens, or enjoy a round of Tennis on one of the outdoor courts.

• 7pm Meet for pre-drinks in the bar.

• 7:30pm Enjoy a delicious three-course evening meal hosted in our own private dining room. It is a lovely opportunity to relax, enjoy some wonderful food, and share stories from the day's sewing in an intimate, elegant setting.

Sunday

• 7-9:30 Breakfast in the dining room.

• 9:30-12:30pm Sewing time, supported by sewing instructors.

• 12:30pm Light lunch in the dining room.

• 1:30-4:30pm Sewing time, supported by sewing instructors.

• 4:30pm Before we depart, we gather for a lovely celebration of everyone's progress. It is a wonderful opportunity to share the projects you’ve worked on and talk through your sewing journey over the weekend. Seeing everyone’s unique style and fit come to life is always so inspiring!

This is an all-inclusive sewing retreat. Overnight accommodation, refreshments and meals are included, along with all of your sewing time in the sewing room.

• Overnight stay on Saturday in a standard double room.

• Refreshments, lunch, a three course evening meal, bed & breakfast included.

• Complimentary IzzoSew Studio paper sewing pattern of your choice on arrival.

• 10% off any purchase from Minerva from the date of booking until one week after the retreat.

• 10% off luxury hand crafted scissors from William Whiteley & Sons.

The only items that are excluded are drinks with the evening meal, and any additional room service.

This sewing retreat is hosted at The Royal Berkshire, an historic country house hotel, originally built for the illustrious Churchill family three centuries ago. Set amidst 15 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds, the Royal Berkshire blends striking Queen Anne architecture and uncountable heritage details with modern comfort, offering a charming and inspiring setting for your retreat.

The retreat includes an overnight stay in a standard double room in this beautiful venue, with a three-course evening meal in a private room and breakfast in the morning before the second day of sewing begins.

Our retreat offers flexible booking options. Should you wish to share a room with another friend during the retreat, bring your partner, or stay an additional night, please refer to the ‘Ticket and payment options’ for further details.

Guests will receive:

• Tea and coffee throughout each day, in a dedicated cafe break out space.

• A two course buffet lunch each day.

• A delicious three course evening meal in a private dining room with the group and breakfast the following morning before the second day of sewing begins. Please note that drinks are not included.

The sewing room is set up with everything you need to successfully sew your project. Three overlockers, irons, scissors, cutting mats, notions and sewing machines are all available to use.

You will want to bring the following:

• Your sewing project (fabric, notions, thread, pattern etc.). If you’re a complete beginner, we can discuss a suitable project for you to sew and where to source your fabric from during your zoom call, or via email prior to the retreat, so that you can arrive ready to start your sewing journey.

• Your own sewing machine and tools if you'd like to. This is optional, although we find most people prefer to bring their own tools and machines. Complimentary sewing machines can be provided on request (just let us know on the booking form).

Izzy and Sophie will be on hand to support you throughout the entire weekend.

Izzy is an experienced pattern designer and the founder of IzzoSew Studio. She brings a wealth of knowledge in garment construction and design. Sophie is a qualified teacher with a university background in fashion design, combining her technical expertise with a genuine passion for education.

Both are incredibly encouraging, friendly, and eager to assist you with everything from complex fit adjustments to fine-tuning your technique and style choices. They are dedicated to helping you achieve a professional finish you can be proud of.

Twin room occupancy retreat ticket

Coming with a friend and want to share a twin room? Please purchase both tickets together in one order and then enter code ‘ASCOT-TWIN’ to receive a £170 discount. This is a saving of £85 per person.

Bring your partner

Your partner is very welcome to join you for the weekend. They can enjoy shared accommodation with you, dinner with the group on Saturday night and breakfast the following day. The additional cost is £100. Simply let us know on your booking from.

Additional nights

An extra nights' accommodation (bed and breakfast) on the Friday or Sunday can be added on for an additional £205 per night if required (subject to availability). Just let us know on your booking form if you would like to include this.

Payment Plan

Should you prefer to pay for the sewing retreat in monthly instalments, this can be arranged. A 15% deposit is required on booking the retreat. Select the retreat date and add it to your cart. Enter the discount code PAYMENTPLAN15 at checkout, which enables you to make the 15% ticket deposit. Once we receive your booking, we will email you with a monthly instalment schedule which will be calculated based on the number of months until the retreat. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for further details.

Note: Any additional costs will be charged separately by invoice.

For our guests traveling from further afield, we invite you to turn your retreat into an unforgettable London adventure. Ascot is perfectly positioned to enjoy the serene beauty of the Royal County of Berkshire while remaining a stone's throw from the vibrant, creative heart of the capital.

For the Sewing Enthusiast London is a treasure trove for those who love fine textiles. We recommend a dedicated day to explore:

• The Heritage of Liberty London: A visit to the iconic Regent Street store is a must. Wander through the timber-framed halls to browse their world-famous Tana Lawn™ and silk collections.

• The Textile Hub of Goldhawk Road: For a more eclectic adventure, visit the vibrant stores in Shepherd’s Bush. It is a wonderful place to find high-end designer remnants and unique haberdashery.

• The V&A Museum: Located in beautiful Kensington, the Victoria and Albert Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of dress and textiles. Their rotating exhibitions are a constant source of inspiration for our own pattern drafting and style decisions.

• The Fashion and Textile Museum: Nestled in Bermondsey, this boutique museum is a lovely way to spend an afternoon immersed in contemporary design.

Royal Heritage & Natural Beauty If you wish to soak up the local history near our venue, you are spoiled for choice:

• Windsor Castle: Just a short journey away, discover the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It has been a royal home for 40 monarchs and offers a breathtaking look into British history.

• Windsor Great Park: Directly on our doorstep, explore 4,800 acres of ancient royal landscape, including the stunning Savill Garden—lovely for a mindful morning walk.

• Hampton Court Palace: Step back into the Tudor world of Henry VIII. The palace gardens and the historic Royal School of Needlework (housed within the palace) are particularly inspiring for makers.

• Kew Gardens: Explore the most biodiverse place on Earth. Only 40 minutes away, these Royal Botanic Gardens offer a peaceful escape and incredible floral inspiration for your next fabric choice.

Local Highlights

• Ascot Racecourse: Experience the sophistication of the world’s most famous racecourse, located just five minutes from the hotel.

• Brooklands Museum: For those with an interest in technical history, explore the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, including the historic Concorde.