Winter Wild Songs
Rest, reset and reawaken your creativity with Martha Tilston & Andy Raingold
Thu 27th Nov to Mon 1st Dec 2025
Secret Clifftop House near Penzance, Cornwall
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"I feel more invigoration and inspiration as a song writer with more confidence in leading, singing and collaborating."
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"The seeds for a life changing experience. A coming home."
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"I could thrive in this atmosphere of safety, trust and creative freedom. I received so much more than I hoped for."
What is Winter Wild Songs?
Winter Wild Songs is a soulful songwriting retreat rooted in the stillness and power of winter. Held in a stunning clifftop house on the Cornish coast - where waves crash below and seals often grace the shore - this is a space to slow down, sink in and let your songs emerge from a deeper place of connection.
It’s a nourishing mix of cozy reflection, focused songcraft and wild inspiration from land, sea, myth and story. You’ll be held in a creative and compassionate container with space to explore your voice, your stories, and your edge in a non-judgemental environment. Away from wifi, to-do lists and distractions, we will be fully immersed in stillness and song, basking in the joy of creative self-expression and awakening parts of ourselves that may have lain dormant for a long time.
Who is this for?
The programme is open to all musicians - whether you’re just starting out with songwriting or you're deep into your practice.
What will we be doing?
The five day immersion will include invitations to:
Explore your own curiosity and co-create together, sharing songs, gifts, words and inspirations
Coastpath walks and singing to the sea
Workshops on the craft of song, lyric writing, melody making, and brining more feeling and emotional truth into your song
Q&A and tailored support around creative blocks, process and voice
Song Lab – a place for focused guidance and mentorship on your craft
The Song Snug – a cozy haven to share songs or just receive and be held in sound
Bedroom Songs – breakout spaces for personal or collaborative exploration
Mini Sitting Room Concert with Martha
Fireside jams and sumptuous shared meals
Time to be still, reflect and fully immerse yourself in song without distraction
What will I come away with?
We hope you will leave feeling resourced, rejuvenated and (re)inspired – with creative fire in your belly and a pocketful of songs, ideas and melodies to nourish you long after the retreat ends. Expect to leave with:
Rest
Creative momentum – ideas, songs and sparks to bring into your wider life and projects
Greater confidence with singing, writing and sharing from a place of authenticity and power
A deeper connection to your own creative rhythms and emotional truth to bring into your music
Inspiration from the land – Cornish coastlines, winter skies and old stories stirring new songs
A sense of aliveness – awaken to beauty, fully present and creatively open
Tools and insights around lyric, melody and emotional resonance
Courage to play with the edge of sharing - always invitational
A sense of belonging in a supportive, creative community
Connection to your creative self, the land and something greater
Is this the winter to commit to your creativity, your wellbeing and your songs? Let the magic of the space respark the crashing waves of your inspiration.
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"A time to remember you place by the fireside. All are welcome to enjoy the exploration and creation of song."
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"A great opportunity in finding your song in a safe, supportive and fun way."
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"The past few fays are what I will think of when people ask me to describe my perfect week."
Book now to secure your place
There are only 12 spaces available in the house. Book now to secure your place.
Arrivals from 4.30pm on Thursday (for a 6pm start) and it finishes at noon on Monday.
We are currently offering early bird places saving £200 on the full course fee (if you book before 30th June). We offer these early birds at a highly discounted rate as this helps us to plan in advance more effectively.
We don't want price to exclude anyone. If the course fee is unaffordable for you, we would really like to hear what might be possible for you. We offer a number of bursary places - please click here to apply for one of these.
Let us know if you would like to pay in instalments.
The course fee includes all teaching, as well as all dinners and breakfasts. Bring your own lunches.
You can book a single bed in a twin (shared) room or a double bed in your own room (either booking for one person or for two people to share - such as a couple or good friends!). For two people sharing a double, the price is £1100 (that is £550 each!). Bring your own bedding or rent some directly from the service providers for £10 per bed.
The venue is a secret location 15 mins drive from Penzance in Cornwall. There will be shared taxis from Penzance if you are taking the train.
Please read our terms & conditions before booking.
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"The support of experienced musicians and singers was life changing.”
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"I have gained the confidence to write songs and believe in my creative process.”
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"If you have a song in your heart, or if you would like to find one, then this is your place.”
The facilitators
Martha Tilston
Martha Tilston has developed a successful musical and film making career with a large and loyal following worldwide. She has played her music on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals and released several critically acclaimed albums. In the world of film making, Martha has gained nominations for best arts film for The Clifftop Sessions and recently released her feature film The Tape which she writes, directs and performs in. Martha also studied theatre and lectures in song writing, performance and the telling of story through song. Nature is a big influence in the songs that Martha writes and the way she chooses to live.
Andy Raingold
Andy is a coach, facilitator, speaker, reslience practitioner and social entrepeneur who inspires transformative change. He has been guiding immersive nature experiences and personal development programmes since founding Change in Nature in 2015. His work includes guiding transformative nature experiences, teaching facilitation skills, leadership training, enhancing creativity, crafting new stories for social change and supporting progressive businesses and organisations to “think differently”. He has worked and studied with wisdom keepers and elders from different traditions; as well as supporting and learning from a number of marginalised communities around the world (including Syrian refugees in Greece and San Bushmen in Namibia).
The Location
The retreat will be held in a stunning cliff top house in West Cornwall with sea views and cozy winter vibes. We have been to this place many times and have even seen seals from the window! Just check out these photos…
