Hand Spinning Retreat –
A British Wool Celebration
How Hill, Norfolk Broads
20th–24th August 2027
Seven categories. Countless possibilities. One extraordinary wool heritage.
Spend a few peaceful days in the heart of the Norfolk Broads as we explore the remarkable variety and possibilities of British wool.
Handle, prepare and spin wool from all seven British Wool categories, build your own reference library and return home with new knowledge, new favourites and greater confidence in reading the fibre.
Retreat Overview
Dates: 20th–24th August 2027
Location: How Hill, Ludham, Norfolk Broads
Arrival: Friday at 4.00pm
Departure: Tuesday at 2.00pm
Welcome Back to How Hill
I’m delighted to be returning to How Hill for The Spinning Barn’s 2027 summer retreat.
We enjoyed our time here so much last year that coming back felt like the natural choice. Set in the heart of the beautiful Norfolk Broads, How Hill is wonderfully peaceful—the perfect place to step away from everyday life and enjoy nature, good company and plenty of spinning.
For our retreat, we’ll have sole use of the property, giving us the freedom to settle in and enjoy our own private space without interruptions.
When you fancy stepping away from your wheel, you can explore the tranquil gardens or wander down towards the River Ant to watch the boats, spot the wildlife or simply sit and enjoy the atmosphere of the Broads.
It really is somewhere you can breathe out, slow down and enjoy time with like-minded spinners.
What to Expect at How Hill
Seven Wool Categories
Explore Fine, Medium, Cross, Lustre, Hill, Mountain and Naturally Coloured wool, discovering the distinct qualities and possibilities within each category.
Read the Fibre
Look closely at micron, staple length, crimp, lustre, handle, strength and density, and understand how these characteristics influence preparation, spinning and finished yarn.
Prepare and Experiment
Compare carding and combing, change the direction of your drafting and experiment with twist to discover how different choices transform the fibre at your wheel.
Spin with Confidence
Move beyond searching for one “correct” method and develop the confidence to read each fibre, understand its possibilities and make deliberate choices as a spinner.
Build Your Wool Library
Create a personal reference folder containing record cards, fibre samples and yarn samples from each category—a practical resource to continue using at home.
Time to Relax
Between sessions, spin at your own pace, chat with fellow spinners, enjoy the gardens or take a peaceful walk towards the River Ant.
What’s Included
Residential Guests (Full Board)
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Comfortable accommodation at How Hill
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner
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Tea, coffee, fresh fruit, biscuits and plenty of cake
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Full access to all retreat activities and spinning sessions
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Time to relax, spin, chat and enjoy the surroundings
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Access to the well-stocked honesty bar for an evening drink
Day Guests
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Full retreat activities and spinning
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Lunch
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Tea, coffee, fresh fruit, biscuits and cake
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The same learning and social experience as residential guests
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Time to explore How Hill and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere
Accommodation and evening meals are not included for day guests.
For All Guests
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Guided exploration of all seven British Wool categories
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Opportunities to prepare, spin and compare different fibres
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Your own British Wool Reference Library folder and record cards
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Fibre and yarn samples to add to your reference collection
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Plenty of time to experiment, ask questions and share ideas
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A welcoming community of fellow spinners
Dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for. Please let me know about these when booking so I can make the necessary arrangements with the How Hill team.
Booking Information
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Dates: 20th–24th August 2027
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A £100 deposit is required to secure your place
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Full payment is due eight weeks before the retreat
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Cancellations received in writing at least 12 weeks before the retreat will receive a full refund
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Unfortunately, no refunds can be offered after this point
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Accommodation and rooms are allocated on a first come, first served basis
A British Wool Tasting Menu
Last year at How Hill, we explored Britain’s rare breeds. This time, we’ll take a different approach by working through the seven categories used by British Wool: Fine, Medium, Cross, Lustre, Hill, Mountain and Naturally Coloured.
Think of it as a British Wool Tasting Menu—seven distinctive wool experiences to handle, prepare, spin and compare.
You will also receive your own British Wool Reference Library folder and record cards to record your spinning activities and findings which you will be able to take home with you.
Reading the Fibre
What makes a Fine wool different from a Mountain fleece? Why does Lustre wool behave so differently at the wheel?
We’ll explore characteristics including micron, staple length, crimp, lustre, handle, strength and density, discovering how each one influences the way a fibre can be prepared, spun and used.
Prepare, Spin and Experiment
We’ll experiment with different preparation methods and spinning techniques while considering questions such as:
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Does this wool want to be carded or combed?
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What happens when we change our drafting direction?
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How much twist does the fibre need?
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What sort of yarn does it naturally want to become?
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What could we make with the finished yarn?
There is no single “correct” answer—the aim is to experiment, compare and make deliberate choices.
Build Your Own British Wool Library
Throughout the retreat, you’ll create your own British Wool Reference Library.
You’ll receive a record card for each wool category, allowing you to note the fibre’s characteristics, how you prepared and spun it, the qualities of the finished yarn and its possible uses.
Fibre and yarn samples will be added to your cards, creating a personal reference folder to take home and use whenever you find yourself wondering:
“What will this wool do?”
Celebrating British Wool
Alongside the practical exploration, we’ll celebrate the extraordinary variety of Britain’s sheep and the wool they produce.
This natural, renewable and wonderfully versatile fibre deserves to be understood, valued and used. By learning more about its possibilities, we can become more confident spinners and better ambassadors for British wool.
Spinning, Sharing and Time to Relax
There will be plenty of spinning, experimenting, discussion and laughter, all within the peaceful surroundings of How Hill.
Come prepared to discover new favourites, see familiar fibres differently and enjoy a few days surrounded by people who understand the excitement of a beautiful fleece.
Seven categories. Seven wool experiences. A whole library of knowledge to take home.
Ready to Join Me?
Step away from everyday life and spend a few inspiring days at How Hill, exploring the wonderful variety of British wool and discovering what each fibre can become.
There will be time to prepare, spin, compare and experiment, as well as time to relax, enjoy the peaceful Norfolk Broads and share the experience with other enthusiastic spinners.
If you have any questions about the retreat, accommodation, day-guest places, accessibility or dietary requirements before booking, you’re very welcome to contact me at info@thespinningbarn.co.uk or use the enquiry form.