*Discounts available for two people (£595/person for sharing a room)
I've created a wordplay walking weekend, designed for you.
Join me on July 22-24 2025 on a gentle stroll full of words and wit, through my wonderful home town of Brighton.
Have your hotel breakfast (included in the price).
Meet in the foyer, and John will send you out on a word hunting expedition. Take it as leisurely as you like! Find inspiring words as you explore Brighton.
Meet for lunch
I’ve hired a room for you (Coleridge Room) where we can discuss those words, and practise filling in grids – old-style, with pencil and paper! Ask any questions you wish.
Your free time to explore Brighton. You may wish to explore the Laines (immediately behind the hotel)
My friend has offered to open the one-and-only Bom-Bane’s restaurant for us all. Our host Jane Bom-Bane is a crossword fan and wordplay expert – she may even sing for us! There’s no place like Bom-Bane’s, trust me, it’s wonderful.
* Your meal at Bom-Bane’s is included in the price of your ticket – drinks excluded.
Coleridge Room, Leonardo Hotel, Brighton
Leonardo Hotel, Brighton
Have breakfast
We will assemble in the Coleridge Room and create our group crossword together – filling the grid, writing the clues.
Everyone will have clues of theirs in the resulting puzzle, which will be emailed to all attendees after the event.
Time to go home.
Create a puzzle from scratch in John’s home town, the way he does it!
Top tips from ‘Paul’ on honing your crossword setting skills
Two nights in a superb room on the seafront, only 200 yards from the Palace Pier – breakfast included.
Make friends with like-minded wordplayers
A chance to pick the brain of the UK’s number one setter.
Evening meal and entertainment at the wordplayers’ favourite restaurant, Bom-Bane’s.
Take home a crossword that you helped create.
Spend time in John’s favourite city, and stroll along the prom.
Receive the completed puzzle by email, to share with friends if you choose.
Stretch your legs, and stretch your mind.
*Discounts available for two people (£595/person for sharing a room)
The fee for the whole event is £795 per person*, or £595 per person for a couple sharing a room. Here is what it includes:
Luxury Superior King room for the night at the superb 4-star seafront hotel, Leonardo Hotel - Brighton Waterfront.
Great breakfast included.
Access to Conference Room on Days 1 and 2.
The evening dinner is included in the price, and crossword games with John at Bom-Bane's (excluding drinks).
*Additional meals and additional nights in the hotel, should you choose to stay longer, are at your expense.
Your time outside is designed so if you wish to walk for three or four miles you can, and if you wish to walk thirty yards you can! The course works whether you are walking or plonked outside a cafe the entire time - whatever suits you.
Just yourselves! Ooh…. and a pen, though we have spares.
While not ideal, you could choose still to walk - so bring a coat (!) - or find refuge in a cafe/museum etc if open. It’s a lovely hotel, so that’s an option too.
4* Brighton Seafront Hotel — Close To Brighton's Top Attractions & Transport Links.
https://www.leonardohotels.co.uk/hotels/brighton-waterfront
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DVyHVkvuETiTRj2X9
Check-in is after 3pm, check-out by 11am. At other times bags can be left at reception*
