11 Garden Retreats for the Creatively Inclined

Creative souls of all kinds have always sought refuge and inspiration in the calming, serene and otherworldly atmosphere of outdoor spaces. Virginia Woolf wrote major parts of all her masterpieces, including Mrs. Dalloway and The Waves, in a little shed at the far end of her garden at Monk’s House, in Sussex, England. Claude Monet famously immortalized the ethereal lily ponds of his garden in Giverny, France, in his paintings. Roald Dahl’s vine-covered writing hut in his garden in Buckinghamshire, England, was surrounded by flowering fruit trees, which cocooned his writing haven in greenery.

So take a break from your usual routine and have a peek at these green hideaways and retreats that are perfect for rediscovering your creativity. Which one inspires you most?

A blooming retreat. The lavender wisteria and powder-blue gates, coupled with a barely there arch, make this retreat feel particularly hidden and protected. The warming sunlight and bright colors make the space cheery and energetic, for a productive and creative summer afternoon.

Perfect for … completing that 19th-century romance novel set in Provence.

Read more about growing wisteria


A tucked-away garden shed. Garden sheds surrounded by lush shrubs and flowers make for a worthy hideaway for any artistic endeavor. A wide spectrum of writers and artists have turned to a humble garden shed to complete their masterworks.

The little veranda in this powder-blue hut invites you to take a break outside with a cup of coffee, surrounded by the relaxing scent of lavender, and feel a little less pessimistic about the state of the world around you.

Perfect for … writing your personal manifesto.

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A secret alcove. Gardens are often associated with the concepts of purity, isolation and abundance. This secluded retreat blooming with wildflowers is the ideal, distraction-free space in which to get lost in your writing and spend hours observing the intertwined branches around you.

Perfect for … finally finishing that collection of free-verse poems about the tragically short lifespan of the mayfly.

Get ideas for creating a secret garden of your own


A lonely pond. American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau had the right idea with Walden Pond, the seminal retreat in Walden, his manifesto on self-reliance. A lonely lily pond surrounded by lush, wild maiden grass and fresh meadow flowers is the ideal place for enjoying a moment of self-reflection and undisturbed serenity.

Perfect for … painting a four-part neoimpressionist series on the effects of light on bodies of water.

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A haven among the bushes. Sometimes a simple chair and table set among freely growing shrubs and bushes is the best no-frills space to achieve peace of mind and find creative inspiration. Discreetly nestled among the garden’s greenery, this little seating area is ideal for undisturbed work.

Perfect for … completing a critical essay on the role of satire in 20th-century Mongolian poetry.


A harmonious pavilion. A Japanese-inspired garden is the quintessential Zen space. A warmly lit pavilion set near a peaceful koi pond and small, winding paths is a beautifully serene space in which to let the mind wander unencumbered and allow creative impulses to flow freely.

Perfect for … composing a modern sequel to Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly.

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A mysterious courtyard. The intertwined branches of the arch leading into this hidden courtyard create an air of mystery and beauty. Hidden in the recesses of the secluded garden, a lone bench beckons you to settle down among the leafy shrubbery and use the oddly melancholy atmosphere to your artistic advantage.

Perfect for … finishing your ink illustrations based on Edgar Allan Poe’s stories.

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A Hellenic homage. Nestled among stately cypress trees and well-manicured shrubs, this neoclassical gazebo invites you to escape from the everyday and find your very own personal muse.

Perfect for … writing an epic prose poem in homage to Homer.


A Bohemian backyard. Sometimes wonderful things happen when you add cozy, slightly whimsical touches to a flowering garden. The result is a creative, open space complete with a hammock, prayer flags and colorful blankets amid bushes and trees. This is the ideal space both for holding a group discussion on the role of interpretive dance in modern society and for pursuing your own creative projects in blissful solitude.

Perfect for … creating a surrealist oil painting based on your nap-time dreams.


A hideaway in the canopy. The best way to get away from everything is to rise above it all. A hidden tree house, whether small or more generous in size, would be an ideal place in which to regain perspective, escape the oppressions of routine and be inspired by the sight of the wind gently blowing through the overhanging branches.

Perfect for … developing a postcolonial essay on the representation of Tarzan in popular culture.

See more amazing tree house escapes


A regal escape. Dense and abundant climbing plants create a canopy across this wrought iron gazebo, providing the perfect coverage as you gaze across the manicured lawns and paths spread out around you. Just add a cup of tea in this gloriously elegant and secluded writer’s haven in an otherwise open garden.

Perfect for … completing a scathingly satirical play on gender dynamics in Edwardian society.

Tell us: Do you retreat to the outdoors for creative inspiration? Tell us about your garden muse in the Comments below.

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