Prussia Cove inspires Falmouth students on weekend writing retreat

Across the weekend in early February, the group took part in an array of workshops, walks and writing sessions led by lecturers from across Falmouth’s School of Communication.  

Senior Lecturer Dr Jo Parsons – a widely published author and expert in 20th and 21st century romantic and erotic literature – led a ghost storytelling session with Professor Ruth Heholt, an internationally renowned scholar in the fields of Gothic, supernatural, Victorian, folk horror, and crime fiction studies. 

Award-winning author and Senior Lecturer Wyl Menmuir led nature walks along the surrounding beaches and coast path, drawing on his own expertise in seeking inspiration for his writing from the rugged Cornish landscapes.  

Elsewhere, the students enjoyed playful sessions exploring writing for the radio, as well as dissertation support workshops, and on their final evening together, an open mic night gathered around a fire on the beach.  

Dr Jo Parsons told us: “Prussia Cove is a magical place. Every year we take our third-year writing and journalism students there for the weekend. It’s such a gorgeous Gothic-feeling space where they can celebrate their wonderful work and the friendships they’ve made over their time with us. The weekend can also be transformative, as it is often where they realise: ‘This is it. I am a writer.’ It’s also a thank you from the team to our students for being absolutely brilliant! And it’s such a treat for me to go there and hang out with them all.” 

Wyl Menmuir added: "Cornwall and its coastlines are the most wonderful source of inspiration for our writers, and the annual trip to Prussia Cove for our third-year undergraduates is an opportunity for immersive writing in the landscape, community-building and fun."

Explore Falmouth’s English, journalism and writing courses