Practical writing workshops for nature lovers focusing on journalling and creative writing in the beautiful Forest of Bowland National Landscape

Join us in spring to explore the wonderfully wild uplands of the Forest of Bowland for observation, conversation, reflection and a guided journalling and creative writing workshop in the middle of Gisburn Forest – Lancashire’s largest expanse of woodland.

Learn how to look deeply at the natural world and record thoughts and feelings on paper or on your tablet. Get tips on blogging, digital photography, starting a nature diary and bringing it altogether in a regular journal.

This workshop takes place in an idyllic rural location with direct access to woodlands and meadows and is led by an established outdoor writer with 20+ years publishing experience in national magazines.

The workshop lasts around six hours with plenty of opportunities for conversation and reflection. Course content includes:

Much of the course will take place outdoors, but participants will have full access to refreshments, toilets and indoor spaces throughout the day.

Your course leader

The course will be led by Mark Sutcliffe, a former editor of Country Walking and Lakeland Walker magazines and a regular contributor to some of the UK’s leading outdoor magazines – including Countryfile, Landscape and Country Living.

An experienced journalist, editor and photographer, Mark has explored extensively in the UK and Europe on foot and has in-depth knowledge of the Forest of Bowland, where he spends much of his spare time hiking, bird watching and taking pictures.

Mark will offer mentoring and guidance on finding your voice, fieldwork and observation, pace and structure and – perhaps most importantly – getting started and establishing a writing habit.

This course is designed to help aspiring writers develop their own distinctive voice and style with a mix of observation, reflection, conversation and mentoring. It is suitable for writers who want to use tablets to capture and tell their stories and those who prefer more traditional techniques such as sketching and making field notes in a nature diary.

Course content

• Setting your intention
• Getting started
• Mindful observation
• Grounding your practice
• Finding your voice
• Getting into the zone
• Pace and structure
• Iteration and editing
• Getting published

Preregister for priority places

The next Nature Writing and Journalling Course is scheduled to run in April 2026. Fill in the form below to pre-register for priority booking.