Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell | Cotswolds, England

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell is a story of how great joy cannot shield us from great grief, and what it looks like to redeem heartache after loss. It asks the question: is the cost of darkness worth the price of light?

On this pilgrimage, we'll look at the coexistence of grief and joy through the characters and plot of Hamnet, delving into the relationships and the themes of how art can move us forward, what it means to live in tension, and how to be a person who carries the sadness of the human condition alongside the enjoyment of life. We'll think about questions such as: what is the antidote for grief? How do we find joy in a world that seems to sometimes be bereft of it? How do grief and joy harmonize with one another?

In the Cotswolds, pilgrims will delve into the world and ideas of the novel while gathering at the unique accommodations offered by The Fish Hotel, a gorgeous yet unfussy escape nestled within the 500-acre Farncombe Estate, high above the stunning village of Broadway. There will be opportunities for pilgrims to enjoy the delicious cuisine offered by the hotel’s chefs, as well as explore the expansive grounds with a book or great conversation. 

We expect to walk up to 8 miles per day, but most days will require less walking. The weather in England during June ranges from the low 50s to mid 70s Fahrenheit. We will walk/utilize the outdoors come rain or shine, and we recommend that pilgrims prepare for the possibility of warmer or colder temperatures than expected, and potential rain on our walks. We won’t rush our walks, but we expect to be tired at the end of each day.

The full tuition of the trip is as follows:

• Private Room $5,450

• Shared Room $4,950 (tuition per person)
  
  Shared Rooming: If you wish to share a room with another person, you will each purchase your own shared rooms. This enables us to functionally receive one registration form per participant. Please do not purchase a private room if you prefer to share a room with another participant.
  

Meeting Up

We will meet in Oxford after lunch on June 14th and end programming before lunch on June 18th. Specific meeting time and location will be offered privately to pilgrims upon payment.

Travel Expenses & Arrangements

Each pilgrim is responsible for handling their own travel expenses and arrangements prior to our meeting on June 14th and after we say goodbye on June 18th. Flights are not included.

Accommodations

Our home base throughout will be The Fish Hotel, a country hotel that hosts a collection of quirky treehouses, rooms, and huts nestled in a hillside within a 500-acre private estate. When not at the hotel reading, eating, and reflecting, we’ll go on a day trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, experience woodland and sweeping countryside hikes, and perhaps learn a bit about falconry and herbal remedies. 

Scholarships

We occasionally offer partial scholarships for pilgrimages. If you are interested, please fill out our form here.