White Birch Manor.
21st -23rd April 2026
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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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.