15th - 18th March 2027
You used to love creating. Now it feels diluted, tiring, and a little bit hollow.. Or maybe not?!
We didn’t want WYRD to be just another Photography Workshop, We’re bringing together photographers, artists, and makers who see the world just a bit differently and know that creativity is something to be nurtured, shared, and explored. a real life, in person community that seems to be dwindling, especially as we run our solo businesses!
WHY WYRD?
The word Wyrd (ancestral to modern weird) once meant fate or destiny. Something shifting, unpredictable. Always in motion.
That feels close to the creative process. Messy, raw, evolving. And over time, we’ve seen what happens when people actually step into that. New ideas. Honest conversations. A sense of direction that didn’t exist before.
Wyrd isn’t about having it figured out. It’s about being in it. Shaping your own path through the work you make and the people you surround yourself with.
There’s a reason it lives in the Peak District. A place shaped by those who worked with the landscape, not against it.
Wyrd follows the same instinct.
Make something that feels like yours.
Find the others doing the same.
Photo: Anthony Aitman - Musket Photography
“I don't even know what to say yet, about this last few days. I put my name down quicker for a space to next year’s Wyrd than any other ticket I've ever bought. Absolutely wild.”
— Laura WilsonWHAT TO EXPECT
Over three days, immersed in the Peak District landscape, Wyrd will pull apart the real anatomy of running a creative business. The messy stuff, the breakthroughs, the marketing ideas that don’t sound like LinkedIn manifestos.
The aim is not to stack up a hundred strategies you’ll never use. It’s for those who slow down enough to actually think, swap notes with others walking the same crooked path, and hear practical insights and a ton of inspiration from some of the best minds working today.
We’ll deep dive into what it really takes to build something meaningful and sustainable, By the end, you’ll leave clearer, quieter, and with something real to lean into.
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At Wyrd, we’re creating space for real-time, open conversations led by creative minds who’ve been there and done it.
We’re aiming for genuine dialogues where you can ask questions, share your thoughts, and be part of the discussion.With the intimate setting and small group vibe, these talks become something deeper. Insightful, thought-provoking, and unfiltered.
Sharing ideas and stories, giving you the kind of knowledge you only get from honest conversations with people who understand the creative journey. -
Begin each day how you need to. Maybe it’s yoga. Maybe it’s coffee in total silence. Maybe it’s just staring into the woods and questioning everything.
This time is yours with no pressure, no hierarchy of wellness. -
Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re not sitting in a room. A guided camera walk with our speakers to gain insight into their way of working. they’re an intentional way to let the surroundings inspire new perspectives.
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Our version of connection is wood-fired, slow-cooked, and eaten with your hands if you like.
We’re big believers in bonding over food and building a good sense of community. Sitting down together where the pressure is off and people can share stories, getting to know each other beyond the small talk.
Food is at the heart of this retreat and we’ve planned nourishing meals, designed around sharing and community with our very own private chef for the retreat. -
This is where the lines blur.
Speakers become attendees. Tangents become insights. You might cry. You might start a zine. You might just sip something nice and listen in.
These sessions are the glue that binds the Wyrd experience. -
Yes, you’ll learn. Yes, it’ll be useful. But no one’s here to sell you a funnel or seven-step system.
This is candid insight from creatives who’ve actually done the work. The kind of stuff you usually only hear at 1am in the smoking area.
We’re bringing in creative minds from different backgrounds to share their stories, not as polished presentations, but as real conversations about what they’ve learned along the way. You’ll leave each session not just feeling inspired, but equipped with practical insights and ideas to take back into your own work.
MEET YOUR HOST:
Hey, I’m Luke, a photographer and creative based in Nottinghamshire. I’ve spent the past 15 years working in the creative arts and music industries, and for the last 6 years, I’ve been a full-time professional photographer.
Before photography took over, I was deeply involved in the music industry in sales & marketing as well as writing, recording, and touring across the UK. That’s where I first learned the power of community and how important it is to build real connections.
After years of working with people through photography, I realised that some of the most meaningful moments happen when there’s space to just be yourself. That’s what led me to create Wyrd Retreat.
To connect with like-minded people who get it, in a real and open setting. It’s a chance to reflect, recharge, and have the kind of conversations that leave you feeling inspired and grounded. It’s those chats around the fire or a walk through the Peak District, the unexpected and unassuming moments that build something lasting.
I know how isolating the creative journey can sometimes feel, and I wanted to create a space where we could break through that. Where honesty and openness are the norm. I can’t wait to welcome you to Wyrd and share this space with you.
WYRD PARTNERS
Kate Bunny Hampson by Chiara Simons
Department Two by Luke Whittemore
“There aren’t words in my vocabulary to get across to you how grateful I am to you for creating the WYRD space. I know the impacts of those four days are going to ripple throughout every single one of our lives and careers and you should be immensely proud of yourself for creating an environment where we all felt safe enough to lean in to openness, compassion and to dig a little deeper.
This was so much more than education.”
- Susie Williams
Where
You’ll Stay
Set in the heart of the Peak District, ARC forms the perfect setting for what Wyrd is all about. We chose it because it’s more than just any old accommodation or conference room of a hotel; it’s a space designed to host community and inspire whilst still giving you the space and comfort you need to reflect.
The ARC Peaks accommodation is designed to balance privacy with community, giving you the chance to unwind while also fostering connection with like-minded creatives.
With a range of sleeping arrangements to suit your preference, you can choose from shared twin rooms, or a more communal loft space.
It’s laid-back, welcoming, and perfect for those moments where real conversations just happen. A space for people to be themselves and share ideas in a setting that feels like home.
your call to wyrd
READY TO JOIN US?
Wyrd Retreat is a rare chance to surround yourself with like-minded makers who get it. Without the need for flashy presentations or ego-driven workshops.. Where raw conversations, real insights, and building connections that last far beyond the retreat itself all happen.
With limited tickets available and spots set to fill fast, now’s the time to secure your place.
Don’t miss out on being part of something truly different. book your spot today and take a step toward reigniting your creative fire.
We cannot wait to welcome you to the Wyrd Retreat.
