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 For the overwhelmed, the underpaid, and the unheard—this week’s prescription is a potent dose, with its focus on A Room of One’s Own. We've taken inspiration from the genius of Virginia Woolf, with occasional bursts of righteous fury at the patriarchy. Woolf's essay and our little bottle, contain antidotes to the silenced voices, with a strong hint of creative rebellion. Side effects may include sudden clarity, inconvenient truth-telling, and an irrepressible urge to write.
Woolf’s famous essay argued that a woman needs money and a room of her own if she is to write, or to live a creative life. Woolf also famously challenged the figure of The Angel in the House—the self-sacrificing, accommodating ideal of womanhood who must be, in her words, “killed” if a woman is to write. It’s a potent metaphor for the internalised barriers to creativity, especially for those who have been expected to serve rather than speak. Our poetic prescription this week invites you to push back against those demands and to reclaim your own space—however small—for solitude, reflection, and creative fire. There's an interesting article on her essay 'Killing the Angel in the House' in a series on 'Nasty Women Writers'.
We've made a special offer of the book and our Room of One's Own pills and you can buy them together here.
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Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) was an English writer, critic, and activist, best known for her innovative novels and essays that explored the nature of consciousness, feminism, and the inner lives of women. A central figure in the Bloomsbury Group, Woolf helped reshape 20th-century literature with works like Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, and Orlando.
Her essay A Room of One’s Own remains a landmark feminist text, asserting the importance of space - both literal and creative - and financial independence for women writers. In it, Woolf exposes the prejudices and constraints that women writers had faced for centuries, and calls for a more equal and inclusive literary establishment. Her psychological and philosophical depth continue to influence writers and thinkers around the world.
Please, in all this muddle of life, continue to be a bright and constant star. Just a few things remain as beacons: poetry, and you, and solitude.
― Vita Sackville-West, Love Letters: Vita and Virginia
Portrait of Virginia Woolf sitting in an armchair at Monk's House, before 1942.
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Further Reading
We’ve curated a selection of our favourite books from classic feminist authors if you'd like to explore a little further. Our list of Patent Remedies for Patriarchy features diverse voices, including Virginia Woolf, Audre Lorde, Simone De Beauvoir, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Bell Hooks. You can browse the full list and purchase any of the titles from us by clicking here.
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Ronald Blythe: The writer who inspired a generation of nature writers
Join Ian Collins for a talk about his newly acclaimed biography of the forefather of nature writing: Ronald Blythe. Loved and admired by the greats of the nature writing genre, such as Robert MacFarlane, Roger Deakin, Patrick Barkham, Richard Mabey; Blythe inspired artists, poets and writers alike.
Ian will be joined by artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, a friend of Ronald's after painting his portrait, here he exhibits for the first time a series of drawings inspired by the dream-like Bottengoms: Blythe's home in Colchester now bequeathed to the Wildlife Trust. Refreshments included.
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Explore the literary landmarks and poetic stories
of Marylebone and Soho
Included in the walk will be tales about Lord Byron, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Katherine Mansfield, Dylan Thomas, William Blake, Shakespeare, Shelley, Oscar Wilde - and we’ll be making a few connections between some of the writers and Taylor Swift, but you don’t need to be a Swiftie to enjoy this! The aim is to “take poetry for a walk” so we will be including readings along the way.
Included in the ticket price:
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A copy of Poems for Tortured Souls (paperback edition)
- A limited edition print, featuring artwork from the anthology
- Hot or cold drink and cake at the Poetry Pharmacy
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We're very excited to be welcoming Dan Whitlam to the Poetry Pharmacy on Oxford Street a day ahead of publication of his first collection I Don't Want to Settle
Meet and Greet with Dan Whitlam
Wednesday 3rd September, 6-8pm
Oxford Street
Free entry and no need to book
Meet spoken word poet Dan Whitlam and have your copy of I Don't Want to Settle signed. The first 30 people will also receive a free bath bomb containing a small extract of poetry and Lush are generously donating some give-aways on the ground floor for visitors to the event.
We're also working feverishly with Bonnier Books to hand-make a new bottle of restoratives, Don't Settle - for Self-Worth & to Reignite an Inner Flame - all extracts taken from Dan's poems. Available from our website very soon.
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Breath and Verse: Unlock your creative flow
Discover how controlled breath can guide you through your inner landscape, revealing new insights and igniting your most authentic, creative expression.
Prepare to breathe, reflect, and release the vibrant world within you.
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Explore the life and work of 19th-Century
Romantic Poet John Clare
I found the poems in the fields. And only wrote them down - John Clare
John Clare was a nineteenth-century poet who had little formal education but who wrote about his lived experience of nature in detailed and beautiful poems. He also lamented changes in the agrarian world which foreshadow present day concerns about loss of habitat. He wrote movingly about his own sense of alienation and profound loneliness.
Come and join Jan in a guided exploration of Clare’s poetry, his life and the times he lived in.
"The greatest labouring-class poet that England has ever produced. No one has ever written more powerfully of nature, of a rural childhood, and of the alienated and unstable self." - Jonathan Bate
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How can we make more space for poetry among all the pressing demands of daily life?
The Poetry Habit introduces you to the transformative effects of a daily poetry prescription. We explore innovative ways to read, write, learn and share poetry, placing particular emphasis on cultivating everyday habits that inspire joy, deepen meaning and build creativity.
This course will reward anyone who wants to bring more wonder and connection into their daily life. It is designed to reward both those who are completely new to poetry and to bring fresh inspiration to more experienced poetry readers and writers. All that matters is to come with an open heart and mind.
"Brilliantly structured, thought provoking, mind expanding and playful"Sophie's new book Everyday Wonder is available on our website.
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A gentle walk with poetry readings, beautiful views of the Shropshire hills and tea and cake to finish
Saturday 4th October 2025,10:30-1pm
Bishops Castle
Join poet Jonathan Davidson for a Poetry Walk starting and finishing at The Poetry Pharmacy Lab in Bishop's Castle.
Using a circular route, we will stroll along small roads and footpaths, stopping now and then to hear some poems read aloud in the open air. Copies of poems – by various carefully selected poets – will be provided, although participants are welcome to bring along short poems of their own to share.
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Explore the richness of our inner and outer landscapes
Sunday 2nd November 2025, 10.30-3pm
Bishops Castle
Join poets Roz Goddard and Jane Commane for a poetry spa morning of workshops and readings. We will explore the richness of our inner and outer landscapes where new creative ideas can spontaneously arise and be used for experiments in writing poetry.
“Roz Goddard is one of my favourite poets and Small Moon Curve shines with all that I admire in her poems: mystery, beauty, deep tenderness and a willingness to venture into the dark and light it with love.” – Liz Berry
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Join Tom and Rozi for an intensive poetry weekend
Join Tom Hirons and Rozi Hilton for a weekend intensive in the territory of what they call the Feral Angels of Poetry: poetry with its blazing head in the cosmos and its feet in the muck and murk of this world. Immersive, alive, embodied and richly experiential, these are not your average poetry weekends.
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Personalised poems crafted on a vintage typewriter
Jen is an award-winning poet and creative copywriter who transforms feelings, memories and ideas into heartfelt, personalised poetry. At her regular drop in events at the Poetry Pharmacy on Oxford Street, she crafts bespoke poems live on her trusty vintage typewriter, capturing individual stories and emotions and turning them into unique keepsakes.
“Jen is an exceptionally talented writer. Her poetry conjures such vivid images that transport you somewhere else, and the way she puts words together is a beautiful art in itself.” Ceri, Poem recipient
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Poetry as Medicine: with Deborah Alma
Join Deb, editor of the Poetry Prescription series, in conversation with author and poet Nadine Aisha Jassat as they explore how poetry can be a practical tool for good mental health. From easing anxiety to offering encouragement, poetry has a unique power to comfort, inspire and connect. After the event, you’ll have the chance to receive your own poetry prescription.
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