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This is Dark Angels’ fourth summer gathering at Bore Place. This time, Neil Baker is joined by writer, consultant and fellow Dark Angel Martin Lee.
Our theme is ‘The Space Between’ — a phrase that invites all kinds of possibilities. What happens in the moments between words, between people, between the real and the uncanny, between what we know and what we don’t yet know? What might grow in those fertile spaces?
But what does the theme suggest to you? We’ll invite you and a small group of kindred spirits to explore your own questions through a series of writing experiments designed to spark your creativity. There will also be time to slow down, reflect, and enjoy the kind of unhurried ‘baggy spaciousness’ and ‘delights of connection’ these gatherings have become known for.
We hope you’ll leave feeling rested, inspired, and connected – with a clearer sense of how to sustain your creative energy in the world of everyday life.
About Bore Place
Bore Place is the perfect venue for our kind of magic. It’s run by a charity committed to helping people live happy, fulfilling and sustainable lives. The estate includes 500 glorious hectares of the Kent Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with many wonderful walking routes. But it’s only 35 minutes on the train from central London and 45 minutes by taxi from Gatwick airport.
Key details
Dates: 6th - 9th July 2026
Arrival: Anytime from 1pm on Monday 6th July to settle in and find your room ready for a 3pm start
Departure: 3pm, Thursday 9th July
Accommodation: Single occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms
Meals: Vegetarian food, plus a few beers and wine
Venue: Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7AR (www.boreplace.org)
Costs
To make this gathering as accessible as possible, we’re offering three prices:
£1,680 if you can pay more to support our work, or if your employer is paying
£1,260 is the normal price
£840 is the reduced rate if this is what you can afford just now
We trust you to select the price that feels right for you at this time. If paying by instalments makes it possible for you to attend, that is something we can discuss. If you’d love to come but can’t afford the reduced rate, please let us know. If you’d prefer to book by email, if you require an invoice for your employer or would like to pay by bank transfer instead, please contact Susanne who can assist with that. Please note that our website payments allow you to pay via PayPal, debit or credit card.
“The location – in the middle of Kent in the middle of June – was glorious. The weather helped, but it was just stunningly beautiful.”
“Love nature? Love writing. Want to connect more deeply with both? ...an idyllic get-away from the everyday humdrum and a gentle immersion into creative connection. A chance to breathe, write and be.”
“My first Dark Angels in-person experience was magical. Gillian and Neil were exceptionally kind, thoughtful, playful and supportive facilitators. I’m so inspired by how they work and appreciate all the time and care that went into imagining and leading this profound and beautiful retreat.”