Doctoral candidates often struggle to write at doctoral level. This struggle has many causes, but includes finding the time and support to write. We analyse a doctoral writing retreat aimed to encourage doctoral candidates to develop their academic writing and offer new insights into successful retreats. A comprehensive review of the literature about writing retreats and how these have been conceived and devised, includes the international literature about development of academic writing and the range of retreats. We identify the approach to writing within the UK and the limited references to retreats to support doctoral candidates to develop their writing. The writing retreat we devised is considered in detail. Features of the retreat which were valued by participants are identified and explored including specific skill development, a supportive environment with time and space to write. The findings extend the knowledge and understanding within the existing literature about doctoral writing retreats.