We’ll be welcoming in the New Year with our 10th annual Shakespeare Retreat. In 2025, we explore The Tempest.

This event follows on from successful retreats including The Merry Wives of Windsor (2024) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018).

This year we are joined again by a distinguished group of retreat leaders and contributors, including:

• Reverend Dr Paul Edmondson – Head of Research and Knowledge, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
• Professor Sir Stanley Wells CBE FRSL – Former Life Trustee (1975-2017) and former Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (1991-2011); Emeritus Professor of Shakespeare Studies of the University of Birmingham; Honorary Emeritus Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company (tbc)
• Dr Amanda Piesse – Lecturer in English Literature and Children’s Literature, Trinity College Dublin
• Dr Rowan Williams PC FBA FRSL FLSW – Former Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-2012)
• Ankur Desval Fehrani – PhD Candidate in Classical Persian Poetry, University of Cambridge
• Sir Greg Doran – Artistic Director, the Royal Shakespeare Company, (2012-2022)
• Tim FitzHigham – Perrier nominated, multi-award winning comedian, explorer, presenter, and author

Participants will be exploring the spiritual, psychological, literary and dramatic aspects of the play, and learning about the role of music in Shakespearean productions, past and present, whilst enjoying the hospitality of a three-night stay at the Lodge.

The programme includes a series of reflections from our retreat leaders, film screenings, breakout study groups, evening readings, a guided walk-through Windsor Great Park and panel discussions.

Tickets for our 2025 Shakespeare Retreat

Please note that tickets for this event have now sold out.

All proceeds will help to cover the running costs of the event and support our wider charitable work.

For any enquiries please contact Mary-Kate Wolseley on 01784 497794 or email mkwolseley@cumberlandlodge.ac.uk