Embark on a Journey of Enchantment: Introducing Take Me to the Lakes Retreat

Welcome to Take Me to the Lakes, a retreat by The Academy Of The Enchanted Arts nestled in the heart of the Lake District

Imagine this...

Close your eyes and let your senses awaken to a world where the relentless pace of life gently slows.

Picture a place where time breathes in sync with the rhythm of nature, and the landscape unfolds like a masterpiece in hues of emerald and sapphire.

In this magical realm, each breath draws in the crisp, invigorating air of ancient woodlands and serene waters, soothing your overstimulated soul.

Welcome to Take Me to the Lakes, the debut retreat by The Academy Of The Enchanted Arts nestled in the heart of the Lake District, where creativity and serenity intertwine like the ancient roots of the trees that surround you.

Here, beneath the timeless canopy of trees and beside the whispering waters, a sanctuary awaits—crafted just for dreamers and seekers like you.

The Lake District: A Land of Timeless Beauty

The Lake District, a jewel in England’s crown, has been a beacon of inspiration for centuries.

This enchanting landscape, with its rolling hills, tranquil lakes, and meandering rivers, has drawn countless artists, poets, and creatives who have found their muse within its breathtaking beauty.

The area’s spellbinding charm is woven into the very fabric of its history, a place where the natural world and human imagination dance in harmony.

Picture the serene waters of Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England, its glassy surface mirroring the ever-changing skies.

Imagine the lush green valleys and rugged hills that cradle the region, each corner whispering secrets of ages past.

The Lake District has long been a sanctuary for those seeking inspiration, a place where the soul can find solace and creativity can flourish.

A Legacy of Artistic Inspiration

The Lake District’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the lives and works of some of history’s most revered poets and artists.

William Wordsworth, often called the voice of the Lake District, lived and wrote in this landscape, capturing its essence in his lyrical poetry.

"Embrace me then, ye Hills, and close me in;
Now in the clear and open day I feel
Your guardianship; I take it to my heart;
‘Tis like the solemn shelter of the night.
But I would call thee beautiful, for mild,
And soft, and gay, and beautiful thou art
Dear Valley, having in thy face a smile
Though peaceful, full of gladness. Thou art pleased,
Pleased with thy crags and woody steeps, thy Lake,
Its one green island and its winding shores;
The multitude of little rocky hills,
Thy Church and cottages of mountain stone
Clustered like stars some few, but single most,
And lurking dimly in their shy retreats,
Or glancing at each other cheerful looks
Like separated stars with clouds between."

William Wordsworth, Home at Grasmere

His home, Dove Cottage in Grasmere, became the epicentre of the Romantic movement, where he and his sister Dorothy celebrated the beauty of nature in their writings.

Wordsworth’s lines are still echoed in the rustling leaves and whispering winds of the region, inviting new generations to find their own voice.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Wordsworth’s close friend and collaborator, also found inspiration in the tranquil surroundings.

Part I

It is an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of three: By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?
The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone: He cannot choose but go; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner.
"By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me? The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone: He cannot choose but go; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner."
"By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me? The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone: He cannot choose but go; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner."
"By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me? The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone: He cannot choose but go; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner."

Part II

"The sun came up upon the left, Out of the sea came he! And he shone bright, and on the right Went down into the sea."
"And the ship went on and on, The sea was calm and clear; But, as it fell, the breeze was still, And the sky grew ever drear."

Part III

"Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink."
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798) Samuel Taylor Coleridge

His epic poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” was birthed from the misty moors and stormy lakes that painted his imagination.

Coleridge’s musings on nature and the sublime reflect the profound connection he felt with the Lake District’s landscape.

Then there is Beatrix Potter, whose enchanting tales of Peter Rabbit and his woodland friends were inspired by the very hills and valleys she cherished.

“Now, my dears,” said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, “you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.”

“Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out,” she added, “to buy some bread and milk for dinner.”

But I will be back in the evening.”

Passage from The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Potter’s love for the Lake District led her to purchase several farms in the region, preserving its beauty for future generations and ensuring her stories would forever be intertwined with the landscape that inspired them.

A Modern Muse: Taylor Swift’s Folklore

In recent years, the Lake District’s timeless charm has resonated through Taylor Swift’s Folklore, an album born from the introspective solitude of the pandemic.

Like the poets and artists before her, Swift’s music captures the essence of escape and introspection, offering a balm for those seeking a retreat from the chaos of the world.

Her song “The Lakes” evokes the very spirit of the landscape, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in its serene beauty.

"I want auroras and sad prose
I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet
'Cause I haven't moved in years
And I want you right here
A red rose grew up out of ice-frozen ground
With no one around to tweet it
While I bathe in cliffside pools
With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief."

– Taylor Swift, the Lakes, Folklore (Republic, 2020)

Credit: Beth Garrabrant took the following photographs for folklore

Experience It for Yourself

While we have experienced the Lake District through the eyes of writers, artists, and musicians, now is your chance to step into this magical world and experience its beauty firsthand.

Imagine wandering these storied paths, tracing the footsteps of Wordsworth and Coleridge.

Feel their poetic spirits mingle with the breeze, urging you to write your own story.

Picture the lakes, their glassy surfaces reflecting the ever-changing skies, becoming mirrors for your thoughts and dreams.

Visualise the hills, lush and embracing, cradling your musings as they stretch toward the heavens.

Join the Waiting List

I’m delighted to invite you to join the waiting list for Take Me to the Lakes.

By signing up, you’ll be among the first to receive exclusive updates and early access to registration.

This special opportunity allows you to secure your place in this serene escape before it opens to the public.

As a member of the waiting list, you will also be privy to exclusive discounts and enchanting extras that will make your experience even more magical.

To join the waiting list, simply click here and let the anticipation of this wondrous journey begin.

In the meantime, let your imagination wander to the serene landscapes and creative musings that await.

I can’t wait to share this extraordinary experience with you.

So let me take you to the lakes…

With love and enchantment,

Georgie xoxo

Click here to join the Take Me To The Lakes Waitlist

Categories: : Academy Of The Enchanted Art Retreats