Calligraphy and Spirituality

Guided Residential Retreat*

13-18 July 2026

All Hallows Guesthouse at the Julian Shrine

Prices include accommodation, teaching and half-board

 

This Summer, come and experience five days of calm and creativity with artist-calligrapher Jane Sullivan on a meditative retreat at the Julian Shrine. After breakfast (and with a break for lunch), each day will be passed in the pleasurable pursuit of meditative calligraphy and imaginative illumination: a genre of scriptio divina, which uses the slow, rhythmic practice of writing sacred words and texts to plunge deeper into the contemplation of the words, and even beyond to a space of understanding and encounter rarely afforded simply through reading.​

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Jane's approach to calligraphy is based on the joy of following the invitations of our own imagination to celebrate each word and design motif in a spirit of delight and discovery. Beginners are very welcome, and no particular artistic ability is prerequisite. We will be exploring the calligraphy style called French bâtarde, and one or two other medieval hands.

 

Attendees will be expected to bring some of their own materials, and a list will be provided of recommended items with each booking. Copies of the alphabets and decorative designs we will be studying together will be provided; no medieval pigments, parchment or gold leaf in this workshop will be used: just fine quality gouaches and art paper, and modern calligraphy pens. If you have your own gouaches or watercolours, fine pointed paint-brushes, calligraphy pens or smooth-surface watercolour paper, feel free to bring them with you.​

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About the retreat leader:

Jane is the author of several books on calligraphy, illumination and fantasy art, and is working with Cambridge University Press to create hand-written and illuminated versions of each of the four Gospels. She has also produced a fine-art Illuminated Psalter, in French, for the Abbey of St Martin, Ligugé, and gives frequent workshops and talks about the medieval and modern scribe's experience of penning Scripture in order to meditate more profoundly on its inner meaning.

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Retreat Prices

Half-Board Standard room:

£765 single occupancy

£1225 double occupancy

 

Half-Board Garden room:

£825 single occupancy

£1325 double occupancy

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Half-Board Non-Residential:

£495 per person (spaces limited)

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Early bird discount (until 1 April 2026):

Standard room: £735 / £1195

Garden room: £795 / £1295

Non-residential: £465

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Price includes accommodation, teaching, breakfast and dinner, and some retreat resources. £100 deposit per person required to guarantee a space, non-refundable, remainder due 30 days in advance. Early bird discount requires full payment up front.

 

It may be possible for you to extend your stay with us before or after this retreat. Ask for further information.

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*some non-residential spaces are available