Guest Book

See what our guests have to say about their experience



Thanks Helen & David for hosting me here at Kalewater. What a special place
this is at the foot of the Cheviot Hills. The past few days have been excellent
and I hope to return soon.

        Matthew, artist and photographer


Thank you so much for a tranquil stray. We’ve enjoyed lovely walks, watched
lambs, and hares and an oyster catcher at the window. Never a dull moment.

         Kate, Jamie, Beth & Hester


Thanks for a lovely productive stay. I never manage to get as much done as I
hope, but the task was helped by Helen’s wonderful gifts. The cheese scones
were sublime. Such a comfortable, relaxing space. Many thanks

         Anna & Joanne, academic writers


Thank you for a restful and productive stay. I appreciated your warm welcome
and delicious loaf of Bara Brith. It was a wonderful week – got plenty of writing
done, enjoyed getting to know the neighbours, and walking through the old
hamlet. Gorgeous views all around. I even pressed a few flowers from around
Hownam to remember my stay. 

         Jessica D, Academic (USA)


What a wonderful, peaceful, and rejuvenating two weeks at Kalewater
Cottage. Helen and David were kind hosts, giving us freshly baked treats and great tips
about hill walks around the Cheviots. I haven't been to a place this quiet and
serene for so long. Truly the perfect place to work on my writing and take
some much needed time for contemplation and rest. Visiting the alpacas up the road and taking them for a walk was also a highlight. Thank you SO much for this lovely space for creativity. Looking forward to staying again soon.

         

Jessica M, Academic (USA)


Yet another incredibly productive week at Kalewater. There is something about this place that is conducive to writing – maybe the work of everyone who has gone before is suffused into the walls. Kalewater is a special place. Thank you so much to everyone who makes it what it is and special thanks to Helen and Dave, and to Sam and Rebecca.

         Karen Lane, academic


Had a very peaceful and restful stay at this lovely cottage. Enjoyed blustery walks spotting kestrels, fieldfares, stonechats, and wrens, and managed to get some work done too.
Polly Barton and Jozef van der Voort, translators



The perfect place for yesterday’s ‘Writing Place’ Workshop with Sam. We had a lovely cosy overnight stay and woke up to peace, powder-blue sky, and a pristine blanket of snow muffling everything. The sun is casting deep blue shadows and golden highlights on the hills. It’s like a Christmas card – what a treat.
Gillian Dawson and Neil Thomson, poets



What a warm, comfortable and peaceful place for a writing retreat. Helen and David were so helpful and welcoming. We had everything we needed, including space for yoga, bracing walks up the hills and a well-equipped kitchen. Decent chairs and a desk in every room helped us both have very productive days working on our next novels. We look forward to our next stay! Can also highly recommend Chris the taxi!

         Jane Alexander and Viccy Adams, writers and  researchers


A most productive writing week in this lovely, comfortable, spacious house. Every comfort provided. So peaceful. Such an open landscape.
Pauline Plummer, novelist



I spent a peaceful and productive week at Kalewater Cottage. You could not find a more tranquil place to immerse yourself in a writing project. The cottage itself is perfectly equipped and set in beautiful rolling Borders countryside. Wholeheartedly recommended!
Graeme Macrae Burnet, novelist and Booker Prize Shortlistee


I had such a productive week, and that is mainly down to how comfortable the house is! Everything works so well that you can really focus on your work. Such a lovely area to explore too, I had a couple of frosty sunny days to walk about which was great.


Maeve Redmond, artist, graphic designer, creative practitioner


I couldn’t have picked a better place for my first ever writing retreat, and the week now feels like it has been a perfect kickstart to what I hope will be a writing-filled 2022. I’m leaving feeling wonderfully energised, hopeful, and excited about my project. 


Thank you so much, I hope to be back


Angie Harms, author and copywriter


Thank you so much for my stay at Kalewater. I’ve had a really productive time working towards a new children’s book. I look forward to returning soon. My great thanks to Helen & David for making me feel so comfortable. Hopefully I’ll be back soon.
Emmie McLuskey, artist, author, and creative practitioner