White Birch Manor.
21st -23rd April 2026
Bookings are now CLOSED for this retreat.
Beautiful bedrooms
Light filled communal spaces
Spectacular Gardens and Grounds
About White Birch Manor
Nestled away in the English countryside lies a reading retreat unlike any other. Founded by a librarian and a lifelong reader, this Read Rest Retreat reading retreat was created for book lovers who cherish quiet moments, timeless stories, and the gentle luxury of slowing down.
White Birch Manor has been known locally throughout history as Fieldhouse, and there are historical records that date the property back to the 13th century. However, local history talks of this Grade 2* listed manor house having been on this site since at least the 11th century, as this is when King Henry II is said to have visited for secret liaisons with his mistress, the ‘Fair Rosamund’. The house was already in existence and the family home of Rosamund’s family for many decades pre-dating this.
The copse of silver birches planted in a perfect circle after the Wood Between Worlds in the Narnia books sparked the change of name to White Birch Manor only recently as each owner puts their own stamp on its history.
Nestled in seven acres of private formal gardens with its own orchards and meadows to explore on the banks of the River Severn in the enchanting Forest of Dean, White Birch Manor is a haven of peace and tranquillity. The manor house itself retains much of the original fabric of the building. Original doors, floors, windows and the huge exposed cruck beams in the kitchen. It’s a cosy and welcoming house packed with character and history. There are ten comfortable and unique bedrooms to choose from, and three lounges for reading and lots of nooks to curl up in!
White Birch truly is a one off and we are delighted to invite you to our reading retreat at this very special location.
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Have we got a Reading Retreat planned for you!
Our first Read Rest Retreat at White Birch Manor is three days of wonderful relaxation and reading.
A warm welcome awaits you at White Birch Manor. We’ll show you around this historic house, so you know where everything is, and show you to your room so that you can settle in and explore. Your goody bag will also be waiting for you. Tea and cake will be ready to be tucked into on your arrival before we have an informal chat about books, which Claire will lead.
And then we have dinner…prepared by our private chef just for you. All of us seated at a huge table in the heart of this magnificent house. Lots of chatter and book talk and getting to know each other. You are then welcome to drift off to the privacy of your own room or stay in one of the three lounges to chill out and chat, have a dip in the hot tub or toast marshmallows by the fire pit under the stars.
Day two starts with a delicious breakfast prepared by our chef, followed by time to curl up and read, walk along the river, explore the seven acres of grounds at WhiteBirch, or a one-to-one chat about books with Claire. Throughout the morning, there will be tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks available in the two guest kitchens.
We’ll have a light lunch (dinner will be big!) and then you have the afternoon free for reading and relaxing or taking in some fresh air. Throughout the afternoon, there will be tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks in the two guest kitchens. There will also be warm scones, clotted cream and homemade jam served. You certainly won’t be going hungry!
Our guest author, Veronica Henry, will be with us from 6pm for pre-dinner drinks, to meet you all and talk about her latest novel. This intimate guest author experience will be one to remember, and of course, there will be the opportunity for book signings! Veronica will also be joining us for dinner giving you time to chat to her in a lovely informal setting.
Day three starts with another delicious breakfast, followed by more reading time to really soak up the literary experience or to explore the local area a little more. Throughout the morning, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and snacks will be available in the two guest kitchens. We’ll gather together at midday before heading in for lunch at 12.30 pm. And then from early afternoon it’s time for us all to make our way home and reflect on what a wonderful few days we’ve had and the memories made.
Meet our guest Author…Veronica Henry!
Veronica Henry is a true titan of the fiction world, having published over twenty novels that have been translated into twenty-five languages over thirty territories.
She began her career typing scripts on the BBC Radio 4 drama The Archers, which taught her that everyone needs an escape from everyday life. From there, she became a script editor for Central Television, working on broadcasting legends Crossroads and Boon. When she started her family, she became a freelance scriptwriter, writing hundreds of hours of television drama, including Heartbeat and Holby City.
She also writes lifestyle features and short stories for newspapers and magazines, including Women and Home, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Good Housekeeping and Simple Things.
She regularly speaks at literary festivals, libraries, WIs and charity events, talking about her career and the inspiration for her novels.
She lives by the sea in North Devon and starts most days with a walk on the beach with her beloved dog, Zelda. Veronica is happiest with the French windows open, a Negroni in hand, with some music playing and some friends around the table.
We are delighted that she is joining us on this retreat and can’t wait for you all to meet her!
What happens on our reading retreats?
From the moment you arrive we want to you feel the hush of calm as the doors shut behind you, but there are practicalities about what happens on a reading retreat. We hope our FAQ’s to have your questions answered.
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About Read Rest Retreat Ltd
Registered address: 64 Churchill Road, Slough, Berkshire SL3 7RB.
Registered in England, under company number 16836764.