Creative Escape 2025

For our third annual Creative Escape, we spent the year’s retreat at the beautiful Limewood Hotel, nestled in the heart of the New Forest. Just 30 minutes from our studio, it was the perfect setting to properly slow down. Calm, restorative, and surrounded by one of the UK’s most iconic national parks sits Limewood. Between ancient woodlands, sweeping views, storybook villages, and the Forest’s magical free-roaming animals, the backdrop couldn’t have felt more grounding.

We first began this tradition in 2023 and the impact on the team was immediate, so it felt only right to build on it. This year, we leaned into what worked and shaped a retreat that held space for rest and reflection, while deepening our connection to nature, to the work, and to each other.

The idea behind our Creative Escapes is simple: step away from our usual roles. Work, development, and design conversations always happen naturally, but there’s no sketching, no CAD, not a prototype in sight, just time and space to immerse ourselves in a setting that sparks inspiration. At Limewood, that meant play and perspective: gravel bikes, trail runs, bird spotting, good food, the Herb House Spa, sauna, and properly switching off together.

The days were shaped by shared joy and easy downtime. From a scenic (and very muddy) trail run to a 25-mile gravel ride through the Forest, every experience was a reminder of the value of stepping back, getting outdoors, and enjoying the day. It also gives us time to connect more deeply, 121 in a way that’s hard to replicate in the rhythm of studio life.

More than a getaway, this retreat was a reset. A chance to realign with what matters most to us: creativity, connection, and a shared appreciation for the journey we are on as a team.

On 8 December, we headed to Limewood for this year’s Creative Escape, a simple retreat into the New Forest, made even better by unforgettable dining from Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder. Our time away is intentionally intimate and pared back, and we plan to keep it that way. It strengthens the foundations of our studio, creating space to connect beyond the day-to-day and understand each other outside of work.

In a world where quantity can so easily overshadow quality, this tradition brings us back to what matters: making meaningful work, and valuing experiences that last. Limewood gave us the space to step back from the noise, slow the pace, and reconnect through the simplest moments together in nature.

We returned to the studio relaxed, recharged and more connected to our purpose than ever: to create designs that are loved, that endure, and that honour the world around us. After all, nothing is more timeless than nature itself.

And the food at Limewood was unbelievable. We’d recommend it to anyone. From the absurdly good breakfasts to the espresso martini menu (five-plus options!), it was all part of what made the trip feel so special. A final shoutout to the local bike shop, The Woods, a couple of the team finished their ride there and warmed up in your café. Thanks to the whole team at Limewood for making our retreat so special. For more information head to website here.

Women + Innovation #8