HBC’s First Ever Retreat!
In July 2025, something special happened! Harborne Book Club went on its very first retreat. We swapped our usual meet-up spot for the cobbled streets and historic charm of Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace and a literary destination in its own right. Over the course of a warm summer weekend, a group of book-loving women gathered not just to read, but to reconnect, recharge, and celebrate the community that’s grown around our shared love of books.
The retreat was planned to strike the perfect balance between structured activities and relaxed time together and we feel it absolutely delivered.
We kicked things off with one of our favourite activities:
Blind Date with a Book. Each member brought a mystery title, wrapped and labelled with intriguing clues rather than titles. The joy of choosing a book based only on a few teaser words was a reminder of how much fun it can be to take a chance on something new.
Our book-themed quiz was a highlight as well! Full of laughter, surprising facts and a healthy dose of competitive spirit. Members tackled rounds ranging from a picture round base don famous book covers, to book-to-film adaptations. Whether or not we knew all the answers, we bonded over our collective love of stories and the trivia that surrounds them.
One of the most memorable parts of the weekend was our treasure hunt adventure. We used the Celebrating Shakespeare Treasure Hunt by the wonderful Treasure Trails which I highly recommend! Set against the backdrop of Stratford’s picturesque streets and riverside paths, the hunt took us on a journey through town. It brought out our inner explorers and reminded us that books and adventures often go hand in hand.
Of course, no retreat would be complete without ample time to relax, eat, and simply be together. Shared meals, quiet coffee chats, spontaneous book recommendations and deep conversations filled the in between moments. There was something truly restorative about being in the company of people who “get it”.
One member summed it up beautifully:
“I had such a fantastic time at the first ever Harborne Book Club retreat! It was so well organised and thoughtfully arranged. We had the perfect balance of planned activities and relaxed time to chat (obviously lots about books!). Thank you for looking after us and making sure we had a great time!”
The Stratford retreat was more than just a weekend away. It was a celebration of the community we’ve built and one that welcomes warmth, curiosity, laughter and friendship with open arms. It reminded us that while books are the reason we gather, it’s the people and the shared moments that make the club truly special.
We returned home with full hearts and already planning ideas for next year’s retreat.
Until the next chapter… 📖✨
