Come with us to the heart of the Finnish forest. We will be staying at Hawkhill Nature & Wilderness, in log cabins which combine traditional Finnish log construction with modern interior design that respects the environment.
All cabins include a private sauna and a peaceful terrace with a direct view of the lake, wood burners, high-quality amenities and peaceful forest surroundings.
Every peaceful bedroom has 2 single beds, there are no options for single occupancy. Guests will be staying in two of the cabins, one which sleeps six people across three bedrooms and one which sleeps eight, across four bedrooms, this larger cabin is where we will all meet for breakfast and lunch, either at the table or on the terrace.
We will be available for you throughout your stay for anything you might need.
The program for the retreat will be confirmed closer to our departure but here is an idea of what the first, Chapter 34 Retreat will look like:
Day one • Thursday 8th October
You will be met at the airport at 3pm by Kelly, from here we will continue on, in a minibus up to Hawkhill.
Arrive at Hawkhill around 4pm, settle in, find your beds and welcome packages including your Book Club book for Sunday evening, enjoy your lakeside surroundings and meet your companions.
A delicious two course welcome dinner.
Evening of quiet time, saunas, meeting your fellow guests.
Day two – Friday 9th October
Breakfast will be delivered to the main cabin followed by Morning Book Club with Carmen. Books for this club will be sent to guests at least 8 weeks ahead of departure.
Soup lunch served at the cabin, followed by an opportunity to learn about your incredible surroundings – Bog Know-How & Alien Species Walk
A guided walk from Hawkhill to the Haukansuo bog, exploring bog plants, berries, ecosystems, and the myths and history of these landscapes. Learn about restoration through first-hand observation, with optional hands-on conservation.
Afternoon coffee/tea to enjoy it at your convenience during afternoon, time to relax, nap, read, sauna, before dinner.
A nutritious 3-course dinner, served at the main cabin, during this meal we will be talking about our most beloved books and why have stayed with us so that we can all have a lovely list of recommendations.
Day Three – Saturday 10th October
Breakfast at the main cabin followed by a glorious morning of free time. A perfect opportunity to find some to snuggle up and read your book, have a sauna, sleep, whatever you want to do.
Soup lunch, followed by some self care…
Steam & Sauna Ceremony – A cosy and joyful ritual with Finnish traditions: löyly steam, gentle brushing, soft sounds, tasty scents, and simple mini-rituals.
Afternoon coffee/tea followed by naps or of course reading your book club book for tomorrow.
Dinner at Metsäravintola (Forest Restaurant) 3-course, forest-inspired dinner.
Day Four – Sunday 11th October
Breakfast followed by free time, one of us will be going for a forest bathing walk to soak in the fir trees, you never know, we might even hug one or two! You are welcome to join us.
Soup lunch, followed by a real autumnal Finnish…Mushroom Foraging Trip
Enjoy a guided mushroom foraging trip in the forests of Nuuksio. During
the excursion, with an mushroom expert, you’ll learn about different mushroom species and the types of terrain where they thrive, as well as how to identify new varieties.
Book Club 2 with Carmen seated in the cosy living room by the fireplace.
Chef will arrive for the evening to prepare our 2-course Finnish home-style dinner.
Free time and enjoying the last evening together.
Day Five – Monday 12th October – Departure Day
Breakfast followed by final sauna, quiet forest walk, or peaceful reflection time. We will be arranging a mini bus to get us to the airport, leaving at midday
Price of Chapter 34 Retreat: £1499 pp
Payment schedule
£600 deposit to be paid – this will be invoiced once we receive your booking. This deposit payment is non-refundable.
£499 to be paid on May 1st.
£400 to be paid on August 1st.
Pay Now
You can also choose to pay entire amount at end of booking process.
Bookings
To book your space please use the booking facility below. This will secure your space, but we won’t take any money yet (unless you choose to pay the entire amount). You will be invoiced and payment will confirm your space. This deposit payment is non-refundable.
We only have space for 10 guests so please register your booking to avoid disappointment.
What’s included:
transfers to and from Hawkhill/Helsinki airport
accommodation in a bedroom with 2 single beds
all food and non alcoholic drinks
towels and bedding
books for both book clubs
saunas
use of rowing boats
wood for burners and fire pits
conservation walk
sauna ritual
mushroom foraging
What’s not included:
travel to Helsinki
travel insurance
alcoholic drinks
if you are not being collected from the airport at 4pm on arrival day and leaving at midday for the airport on departure day your transfers will not be included in the price
NB: Alcoholic beverages are not available to buy at the retreat, however, you can go to the shop on route to buy some, you will not be judged for having a drink, Kelly and Carmen will have a beer or two, this retreat is not about detoxing, there will be cinnamon buns and hot chocolate! You can drink the tap water, it’s better quality than most bottled water.
The average temperature in October in the south of Finland is around 7°C to 10°C so you will need to pack layers, warm foot wear, gloves and hats for our outings. It should be perfect for cold plungers to lower themselves in to the crisp water of the lake but please make sure you tell someone that you are going in the water and that someone can see you at all times.
About Chapter 34 Retreats
Chapter 34 Retreats are an extension of our beautiful independent bookshop, Chapter 34, in Shoreham-By-Sea. They are reading retreats which take what already happens inside the bookshop and carry it into landscapes where time slows down and conversations deepen.
We hope to run three retreats each year, always in nature, always centred around reading, always with saunas, always rooted in slowing down and taking stock.
WHAT MAKES OUR RETREATS DIFFERENT?
Reading is at the heart of our retreats, but will never be forced. There are two book club gatherings to frame each retreat, you will be sent one of the titles when you book your place, the second will be waiting for you when you arrive, but reading is an invitation, not an obligation.
Nature. Each retreat will take place somewhere restorative, be it forest, coast or countryside, our venues will always be chosen for their ability to hold stillness and rest.
Slowness is built in. There is always generous free time. Carefully planned gentle itineraries. No pressure to perform wellness!
These are not tours, they are temporary communities hosted with the same care that shapes Chapter 34.