Clayhill Arts

01/08/2026

As you may remember, in October 2022 we closed Clayhill Arts due to financial pressures, as well as the fall out from the pandemic.

In January 2023, we made a pivot to the Clayhill Arts buildings and became Clayhill Farm Rural Retreat

Since then, we have hosted a huge range of gatherings from hen parties to weddings and important family get togethers.

It has been a real privilege to offer such a space, but it is now time for us to move on.

As of late September this year, the barn complex will cease being a commercial building.

Coming to the end of this very big chapter in our lives has been a difficult decision.

During all of the decision making process, we have been exploring new opportunities.

Deborah enrolled in a Masters programme in Creative Writing at Lincoln University last October, and is currently examining language through object poetry. To mark this shift, whilst paying attention to the end of something, she is hosting a reflective showcase and hopes you might be able to attend.

Since this will be the very last time something like this can take place at Clayhill, it is both a farewell party and a celebration of what we have achieved during our time here.

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21st - 23rd August
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11am-5pm daily
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Clayhill Farm Rural Retreat

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There are also a number of events happening over the weekend:

Friday 21st
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Evening opening 5pm – 9pm

Saturday 22nd
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In-conversation with Deborah Parkes and Emma Housley 2pm – 3pm

Sunday 23rd
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Closing BBQ 3pm – 5pm

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We hope to see you there!

11/11/2022

Fantastic to see this in print 🙌 Well done to all involved. You can get hold of your copy here https://www.blurb.co.uk/b/11288098-restriction-catalogue

08/11/2022

08/11/2022

06/11/2022

What's next for the Clayhill buildings?

If you have ever visited, you know Clayhill is an extraordinary place. With on-site accommodation, communal spaces for dining and relaxation, access to gardens and sprawling Somerset countryside, there couldn't be a better place to escape the world and spend a while.

Our entire venue will be available for hire with on-site accommodation from next year, so if you have any big get-togethers planned, remember that we can sleep up to 16 across our eight en-suite bedrooms.

Having recently launched our Cinebarn, this will be available to hire too, so if you have a film night planned or a birthday with a filmic theme, do keep us in mind; we can accommodate up to 40 people for a special screening!

We will still be operating the Cinebarn and are looking to open up again next Spring. Keep an eye out for updates by following The Cinebarn and subscribing to our newsletter.

www.clayhillarts.co.uk/cinebarn

05/11/2022

Our Marketing and Customer Experience Coordinator Jayde Elliott is in the process of publishing her very first poetry book and, with the support of Clayhill, she is looking at starting her very own web design and marketing business.

"Being able to develop my digital marketing and website-building knowledge during my time at Clayhill has inspired me to want to start freelancing and continue to help creatives and their brand/practices flourish online."

Stay connected with Jayde via her channels and keep in touch with her online journeys as she navigates her new careers.

www.clayhillarts.co.uk/the-journey-to-my-creative-career

03/11/2022

What's next for our staff here at Clayhill?

Our gardener, Chris, will remain with us until anything further changes.

The 8 acres surrounding us still need gentle tending, and although we are in the autumnal wind-down, there is still plenty to do!

For those of you who have visited, you know how much we care about the landscape. Since Chris started his role here, much attention has been paid to creating wildlife habitats.

This all needs observation and is a gentle ebb and flow with nature - follow what he is getting up to on our garden blog!

www.clayhillarts.co.uk/gardens

02/11/2022

ILLUSTRATORS MEET-UP
28 November 2022 @ 11:00 - 13:00
📍 Clayhill Arts, Somerset

Visit illustrator Katherine O'Shea to see the work she has been making for her latest book Molly's First Festival during her Residency at Clayhill this November. Refreshments will be provided and an opportunity to chat about drawing over cups of tea! ☕️

"As some of you may know, as well as being the Head of Programme here at Clayhill Arts, I also have a creative practice of my own, one which has been positively encouraged during my time working here. And, true to their values of supporting creativity, Deborah and Michael are offering me their amazing space for an Illustration Residency while I develop my new children’s book project – Molly's First Festival.

Knowing how important the right environment is for creative fulfilment, the Studio at Clayhill Arts has been developed specifically for artists to work in. From the last week of October, I’m happy to say I’ll be packing up my paints and working there throughout November. As a working mum, I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have a clean, toy-free space where I am surrounded by nature and can draw in a beautifully calm and peaceful area. The light is great, the room spacious and with kitchen facilities onsite as well as access to nature on the doorstep, it couldn’t be a better environment for an illustrator."

To book your free ticket, visit our website!
www.clayhillarts.co.uk/activity/illustrators-meet-up

Read more about Katherine's residency here
www.clayhillarts.co.uk/childrens-illustration-residency

01/11/2022

Today see's the launch of Katherine O'Shea Art and her Kickstarter for Molly’s First Festival : A children's picturebook

We've just backed the project and so could you. There are some great perks for donating, including a cameo in the book! Find out more here 👇

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/katherineoshea/mollys-first-festival-a-childrens-picturebook

You can also join Katherine here at Clayhill on 28th November as she shares the drawings she has been making during her residency with us. Sign up here 👇

https://www.clayhillarts.co.uk/activity/illustrators-meet-up/

A fun and inclusive picturebook all about the family experience of a music festival

30/10/2022

We have always encouraged our staff's creative and career aspirations here at Clayhill, and as we will be saying farewell to them soon, we will be supporting their ongoing journeys in any way we can.

As well as her role here as Head of Programme and Operations, Katherine has an illustration practice of her own. During her final weeks with us here, she will be taking part in an Illustration Residency while she develops her new children’s book project – Molly’s First Festival.

"The book is a project that comes from the heart – I’m creating the first-ever children’s book about the festival experience from the perspective of a child, a little girl called Molly. It’s all based on my own experiences this Summer going to music festivals as a new parent for the first time and having an amazing time."

You can follow Katherine and her residency here throughout November and join in on a few events:

🎃 October 31st at 2:00pm Join Katherine for a LiveStream drawing session via IG Live, as she talks through her observational drawing process. As it’s Halloween, we‘ll be getting the pumpkins out to practice drawing some interesting organic forms. Katherine will be happy to answer any questions about her techniques during the session - or just tune in and watch for a quick mindful moment.

✏️November 28th - join Katherine in person for an Illustrators Meet Up here at Clayhill, where she will be sharing the drawings that have been made over the month over a cup of tea.

https://www.clayhillarts.co.uk/activity/illustrators-meet-up/

A Kickstarter campaign is also running to support the project, which is launching on the 1st NOVEMBER 2022. If you love the sound of the book and wish to be a backer, you can get lots of goodies with your pre-order (and even a cameo in the book!). Do consider sharing the link even if you don't donate as it will all help to bring this project to life.

FIND OUT MORE HERE
👉🏻 www.clayhillarts.co.uk/childrens-illustration-residency