Makers' Retreat

create. connect. collaborate

Makers’ Retreat gives you the space you need to take your side project from idea to reality.

Calling all creatives!

Whether you’re a software developer, a designer, a product creator,an artist, or anyone who works creatively with technology, living in a busy city, you know too well that great work rarely materialises when you’re in an ordinary environment with bright lights and busy workers.
Ideally, when you examine your surroundings, you should experience gratitude, confidence, and a desire to explore your imagination. It’s only then that you’ll get really close to what’s possible for you.
In your regular environment, things can eventually become stale and all-too-ordinary. Switching the scene for days at a time can refresh your senses and revitalize your creativity and love for meaningful work. A break away from home can burst the flames to a new breakthrough, and even a higher, broader perspective for your life.
At the Makers’ retreat, you can sink into a sanctuary of calm and serenity. Far away from the noise, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people on a similar journey of growth. A journey of stillness. Awareness. And Expansion. With daily meditation, and yoga workshops, your three days of work will be beautifully balanced between the Yin and Yang. Between the extreme of bringing life to new ideas and the calm of Being.
So, if you have a seed of a business idea that wants to blossom, or your simply want to ignite the spark to a big project, and need to reclaim some focus and stillness, the Makers’ Retreat is for you.
The best ideas tend to find me when I’m spending time away from the office – and so it was that, while holidaying in Fuerteventura, the creative juices started to flow.
It was just after New Year’s Eve and I was standing on a hammock looking out to sea. It was on that very spot that I decided I wanted to create a web app. After all, the conditions weren’t great for surfing, so it seemed as good a time as any to work on it.
Within a couple of months, someone posted a story on the Indiehackers site, about how a germ of an idea turned into a business. This gave me hope that even a small idea posted online, without intention to generate money, can inspire someone to create a business.
My path had been similar, with my app making way for Makers’ Retreat. About a year ago I joined a Vipassana silent meditation 10-day course. During the last days of meditation, I got inspiration to set up a retreat for tech people, which is designed for productivity, deep work and making good habits. For me, the long-term vision is to make the event work with a permanent base made from recycled shipping containers. The plan is to host 150 people and ensure I create the right environment to help others nurture their own business ideas.

We’re Here to Help You – and Your Side Hustle - Thrive

Where You’ll be Staying

A retreat wouldn’t be a retreat without a calm, peaceful and picturesque location. It’s the reason why we’ve found the ideal spot to host you, right on the coast of Essex.
You’ll find yourself in a luxury barn on a farm set in the picturesque countryside off the Essex coast. With beautifully designed living quarters and a spa on site, and plenty of nature outside, you’ll find everything you need to switch off from the outside world - so you can be creative and in flow with the melody you want to embody.
But more than that, you’ll be surrounded by unique yet similar individuals to you who are looking to do the same - opening the door to maximum creativity and relaxation.
Come along and enjoy three, full and uninterrupted days of focused, meaningful work, with Wi-FI, and a community of people on a similar ride at one of six, beautiful Creeksea Place Barns in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex.
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location
Retreat Location

Meet Your Retreat Organisers

Radu Ciocan

Radu Ciocan

Software Engineer

A software engineer in London, Radu knows only too well the challenges faced by creatives; it’s the reason he’s organised the Makers’ Retreat, to give everyone the space and time to do their best work. Armed with his trusty camera, photographer Radu is also a biohacker enthusiast and a thoroughly good egg.
Ana Ionescu

Ana Ionescu

Yoga Instructor

An internationally-certified yoga teacher, Ana loves connecting with people and discovering how she can help them get the best out of their day – and their work. Giving attendees the time to enjoy some self-care in the form of a spot of gentle yoga, animal lover Anna will help you unleash those ideas! Each class will be different -interactive, relaxing and entertaining!
Calendar

9 - 13 May

Creeksea Place Barns, Essex

Event Schedule

Thursday, 9th of May

6-8PM

Arrival & Check-in

Friday / Saturday, 10/11th of May

630AM

Sunrise Yoga & Meditation

8AM

Breakfast

...

Deep Work Session...

12PM

Lunch

...

Deep Work Session...

5PM

Diner

8PM

Sunset Yoga & Meditation

Sunday, 12th of May

630AM

Sunrise Yoga & Meditation

8AM

Breakfast

...

Deep Work Session...

12PM

Lunch

...

Deep Work Session...

4PM

Review / Show & Tell

5PM

Diner

6+PM

Checkout

* or sleep one extra night and checkout on Monday morning before 11AM

Register & Pay

For this first edition there will be a pay what you want model

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. 1.Is the Retreat for me?

    If you have a side-hustle or are thinking about starting one, Makers’ Retreat is definitely for you! Come along, feel inspired and meet some new pals - we’re looking forward to meeting you and we promise you’ll get lots out of your five days with us.

  2. 2.Why pay for a Retreat when I can work from home or a coffee shop?

    If a coffee shop (or somewhere else) gives you what you need, just do it! That said, Makers’ Retreat is a good place with a good vibe - and we need good people like you to make it even better! Choose our Retreat if you want peace of mind and body through meditation and yoga, as well as a chance to exchange ideas with people like you. What could be better?!

  3. 3.Why Yoga & Meditation?

    Oh, let us count the reasons why yoga and meditation make great sense! They’re good for your body and mind, will help you alleviate any aches or strains and will fire you up to do you best words and shape your best ideas! Come along and give it a go.

  4. 4.What if it rains and it's super bad weather?

    We can accommodate a rainy weekend; we are in Britain, after all. Just bring a good brolly and an optimistic mindset. That said, if you’d like a refund, just shout!

  5. 5.What’s my room like?

    Most of the rooms come with a double bed to allow for a good night’s rest. Some rooms also come with a twin bed for those of you who prefer to visit the Retreat with a pal. All rooms are on first-come, first-served basis, so do get in touch if you don’t want to miss out.

  6. 6.Will the food cater to my dietary requirements?

    Absolutely. Each meal is personalised based on your taste and dietary needs, which means you can look forward to a delicious meal each time you sit down to eat. Yum!

  7. 7.What’s a collaboration brainstorm with meditation?

    An hour per day will be dedicated to meditation, followed by a session of exchanging ideas on a wealth of subjects. You ready? Because we are.

  8. 8.Tell me more about the kind of creatives you expect to attend the retreat?

    You can expect to meet everyone from designers to software engineers and marketers. We try to have a good mix of attendees, with digital creatives our target market.

  9. 9.I can’t make this Retreat; are you planning to host another one?

    Yes, simply follow this link to register your interest and we’ll contact you when a brand new Retreat is available. We’re as excited as you are!

  10. 10.What if I’m ill on the day of the retreat; do you have a cancellation/refund policy?

    We sure we do. We provide a full refund up until two weeks before the Retreat, so don’t panic if you can’t make it due to illness.

  11. 11.What do I need to bring to the Retreat and will bedding be provided?

    Your good vibes, a laptop and comfy clothing is all you’ll need!

  12. 12.Is WiFi included in the price?

    You'll have access to good, reliable and fast broadband Internet, both in and outdoors.

REGISTER NOW