Spend a relaxed week in Pembrokeshire with renowned watercolour artist Sarah Stokes, capturing the coastline’s wildlife, light and atmosphere in your sketchbook. With Sarah’s guidance, you’ll develop your sketchbook practice, build confidence in your painting and explore places such as Skomer Island (weather permitting), Tenby and the surrounding coast.
At the heart of the week is the idea of a travel journal, a simple, personal way of recording the colours, details and feeling of a place through sketching and painting.
No pressure, no finished pieces, just time to slow down, observe and enjoy painting in a beautiful setting.
Set along the stunning coastline of Pembrokeshire, the UK’s only coastal National Park, this retreat is shaped by its landscapes, wildlife and ever changing light. From rugged cliffs and wide sandy bays to wild flowers and shifting skies, the surrounding environment provides endless inspiration. During the week, we aim to include time on Skomer Island, known for its seabird colonies, including puffins in season and the chance of spotting seals along the shoreline. Visits are dependent on weather and sea conditions, but when possible, it’s a memorable part of the experience.
With guidance from Sarah, supported by Jaime Moore, you’ll build a sequence of expressive sketchbook pages that come together as a personal visual record of your time on the coast.
Both Sarah and Jaime are award winning watercolour artists known for their clear teaching style and encouraging approach. Between them, they have taught many thousands of students and are recognised for helping painters simplify the process, build confidence and achieve strong results. You’ll be supported throughout the week, with guidance available during painting sessions as well as informal opportunities to ask questions in a friendly, focused and relaxed environment.
Many guests find this way of working becomes something they continue long after the retreat, a simple, enjoyable way to capture future travels and create a lasting visual record of the places they visit.
Inspiration is also drawn from nearby locations such as Bosherston lily ponds and hidden coves, along with the distinctive charm of Tenby, with its colourful houses, harbour scenes, cafés, gulls and sweeping beach.
Most sessions take place indoors at the comfortable Broadmead Hotel, where you’ll work from sketches, photos and observations gathered during gentle outings. The pace is unhurried, allowing time to walk, notice more, and return to your painting with fresh eyes.
This retreat is ideal for those looking to reconnect with their creativity, build confidence in their sketchbook practice, and enjoy a supportive, like-minded group in a beautiful setting.
Suitable for beginners and more experienced artists.
Beginners are encouraged to watch Sarah’s short, free tutorials in advance, helping you arrive feeling confident with the basics and ready to enjoy the process.
Please note: this retreat has not yet reached minimum numbers and is therefore not currently guaranteed to run. We will confirm as soon as the minimum group size is met.
The proposed 8 day, 7 night itinerary is shown below. This relaxed and thoughtfully paced retreat combines sketchbook based art sessions with time spent exploring one of the UK’s most beautiful coastal regions, Pembrokeshire. Throughout the week, guided by Sarah Stokes and supported by Jaime Moore, you will develop a personal travel journal inspired by the landscapes, wildlife and atmosphere encountered each day. No prior art experience is necessary, the focus is on observation, enjoyment and building confidence through a simple, accessible approach to sketching and painting. The itinerary is designed to balance gentle exploration with time to work creatively. Visits to locations such as Skomer Island (weather and sea conditions permitting), Bosherston lily ponds and the coastal town of Tenby provide rich and varied source material for your sketchbook, from seabirds and marine life to architecture, colour and detail. Time outdoors is used to observe, photograph and gather inspiration, while indoor sessions at the Broadmead Hotel offer a comfortable and sociable environment to develop your work with guidance and support. The pace is unhurried, allowing you to absorb each experience fully and translate it into your journal in a relaxed and personal way. While elements of the programme are guided, there is also flexibility built into the week, allowing space for rest, independent exploration or simply enjoying the surroundings. Please note that the programme may be subject to change depending on weather conditions and local arrangements.
Under the guidance of Sarah, supported by Jaime Moore, the week is structured around a series of relaxed, skill building workshops designed to help you develop your sketchbook practice while responding to the surrounding coastline, wildlife and atmosphere.
Building a travel journal habit
Learn how to create a personal visual diary that captures your experiences in a simple and enjoyable way. Pages build naturally throughout the week into a meaningful record that many guests continue long after returning home.
Freehand drawing without pressure
Develop confidence drawing directly onto the page without worrying about perfection. You’ll learn how simple shapes and marks can quickly capture character and bring subjects to life.
Composition and page design
Understand how to arrange sketches, colour swatches and notes so that your pages feel balanced, engaging and visually interesting, like a story unfolding across your sketchbook.
Watercolour techniques and expressive control
Explore wet into wet techniques to create soft transitions and atmosphere in skies, water and backgrounds, alongside more controlled approaches for adding definition and detail.
Working with watercolour pencils and mixed media
Use watercolour pencils to add structure while maintaining a fresh, spontaneous feel. Combine pencil, paint and simple mixed media techniques to keep your pages lively and varied.
Texture and surface techniques
Experiment with materials such as salt and mulberry paper to suggest feathers, foliage, water movement and natural textures within your work.
Collage and layering
Where appropriate, explore collage techniques to add depth, interest and a more tactile quality to your sketchbook pages.
Adapting and developing your work
Learn practical ways to adjust, soften or simplify areas that don’t quite work, helping you move forward with confidence rather than getting stuck. Additional guidance is given throughout the week on colour choices, working from observation and photographs, and bringing pages together so they form a cohesive and personal visual story.
During your time in Pembrokeshire, you’ll stay at the Broadmead Boutique B&B, a stylish, family run 4-star country house offering a relaxed and comfortable base for the week, with consistently excellent guest feedback.
Tenby is one of the most picturesque seaside towns in Pembrokeshire, known for its colourful harbour, sandy beaches and ever changing coastal light, making an ideal setting for sketching and gathering inspiration throughout the week. The Broadmead is tucked away in a quiet, leafy area just a short walk from the harbour, beaches and historic town centre, giving you the best of both worlds.
We’ve chosen the Broadmead for its warm atmosphere and quality throughout and we have exclusive use of the hotel, creating a calm and sociable environment where everything happens in one place. Guests often comment on the welcoming feel, beautifully kept spaces and attention to detail, reflected in its strong ratings on both Google and TripAdvisor.
Bedrooms are individually designed with comfortable beds, crisp linen and modern en-suite bathrooms, offering a restful space to unwind after a day of exploring and painting. The hotel also offers several inviting lounges and south facing gardens, providing plenty of space to relax.
The light filled dining room becomes our shared studio for the week, a bright, sociable space where you’ll work together, with everything conveniently close at hand.
Meals are freshly prepared by the resident chef using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Breakfasts are generous and evening meals are relaxed and enjoyable after time spent outdoors gathering inspiration. All meals are included, along with one drink each evening.
The hotel is easily accessible, with Tenby railway station just a short distance away, as well as free on-site parking for those arriving by car.
Your retreat includes everything you need for a relaxed and enjoyable week, with all logistics taken care of so you can focus on painting and time away.
Included:
Art classes, demonstrations and individual guidance with Sarah Stokes, supported by Jaime Moore
7 nights’ accommodation at Broadmead Boutique B&B with exclusive use for the group
All meals throughout the week, including breakfast, dinner and packed lunches on excursion days
One alcoholic drink each evening with dinner (there is a bar available should you wish to purchase extra drinks)
Boat trip to Skomer Island (subject to weather and sea conditions)
Guided walk at Stackpole with a local expert
Tenby ghost walk experience
All transport to and from excursion locations
Entry fees to all planned excursions and activities
Use of shared studio space and basic equipment (tables, chairs, water containers)
2 Bottles of water in room (provided each day by the hotel)
Tea and coffee making facilities in your room
Additional Information:
The retreat is limited to 18 art guests, and every effort will be made to accommodate your room choice. If circumstances change, suitable alternative accommodations will be arranged.
If you have any food allergies or intolerances, please inform us in advance.
The accommodation has been described to the best of our ability; for any specific concerns (e.g., access, location, or facilities), please enquire before booking.
Not Included:
Flights
Travel to and from Tenby
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Art materials (a suggested list will be provided in advance)
Additional drinks outside of those included with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Personal expenses such as souvenirs or extra refreshments
Optional additional activities outside of the itinerary
Tips for local guides and service providers (optional)
Tenby is easily accessible from across the UK and for international guests travelling via London.
From London, trains run regularly from Paddington to Tenby railway station, with a typical journey time of around 4.5 to 5 hours, usually with one change.
For those arriving by air, the most convenient airports are:
London Heathrow
London Gatwick
From either airport, you can travel into central London and continue by train to Tenby.
If you prefer to drive, Tenby is approximately:
4 hours from London
2 hours from Cardiff
Free parking is available at the hotel.
We’re happy to offer guidance on travel options once your place is booked.
Arrival and welcome Arrive at the Broadmead Hotel and take some time to settle in and unwind. We’ll come together for a relaxed introductory session to meet each other and ease into the week, followed by an informal aperitif before dinner. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a comforting three-course meal, a chance to relax, chat and start looking ahead to the days to come.
After breakfast, we’ll head out to explore one of Pembrokeshire’s beautiful coastal wildlife spots. Depending on the conditions, this may include a trip to Skomer Island or another nearby stretch of coastline known for its seabirds and dramatic views. There’s a good chance of spotting puffins (in season), along with guillemots, razorbills, coastal rabbits and other birdlife that thrives here. The focus for the day is simply to walk, observe and take it all in — gathering ideas, photos and inspiration to use later in your sketchbook.
We’ll provide a packed lunch to enjoy along the way, and in the evening we’ll return to the hotel for dinner together.
After breakfast, Sarah will guide you through developing sketchbook studies inspired by the seabirds and coastal wildlife observed the day before. We’ll explore how simple shapes, tone and mark making can be used to capture character and presence in a loose, approachable way. This is where your sketchbook really starts to come together, with pages beginning to form a cohesive visual record of your experience of the coastline. In the evening, we’ll head out for dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we’ll head to Bosherston to explore the well-known lily ponds and the nearby beach. We’ll be joined by a Wales Blue Badge Guide, who will share insights into the landscape, wildlife and history of this beautiful area as we walk. We’ll stop for lunch at the Bosherston Lily Ponds Bistro before heading back. Back at the Broadmead, Sarah will lead a gentle session inspired by the lily pads and surrounding plant life, helping you translate the shapes, textures and details you’ve seen into your sketchbook. Dinner will be served at the hotel in the evening.
After breakfast, Sarah will guide a session developing your sketchbook studies, drawing on the coastal landscapes and observations gathered so far. After lunch, Jaime will lead a session focused on painting dolphins moving through water, exploring rhythm, flow and how to simplify movement into clear, expressive shapes. We’ll come back together in the evening for dinner at the Broadmead.
In the morning, Jaime will lead a session continuing your dolphin studies, introducing mulberry paper to add beautiful, natural texture to your sketchbook pages. All materials will be provided. In the afternoon, we’ll head into Tenby to explore its charming streets, independent galleries, colourful houses and small cafés. There’ll be plenty of time to wander, observe and take photographs — gathering ideas and details to bring back into your journal. Later, we’ll join a guided ghost walk with a local expert, sharing stories and history that bring another layer of character to the town. We’ll finish the day with dinner in Tenby before heading back.
Today, Sarah will guide you in creating a final sketchbook page inspired by the distinctive character of Tenby — from its colourful houses and hanging baskets to cafés, gulls, the sweeping beach and castle views. The focus is on capturing the atmosphere of the town in your own way, bringing together everything you’ve explored during the week in a relaxed and personal style. We’ll also spend some time reviewing and refining your pages, helping your sketchbook come together as a cohesive record of your experience — whether it’s the start of something new or a continuation of an existing journal. To round off the week, we’ll put together a small, informal exhibition of everyone’s work. In the evening, we’ll gather for an aperitif before enjoying our final meal together.
We’ll enjoy a final, generous breakfast together before it’s time to head home. You’ll leave with your sketchbook filled with memories of the week — a visual diary capturing the wildlife, landscapes and atmosphere you’ve experienced, and something you can continue to build on long after you return home.
