LeisureCourses.net – short courses & residential study breaks in great locations

Last year's hit film 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' has put a fun spotlight on growing old gracefully. Come and enjoy the novel on which it was based, Deborah Moggach's 'These Foolish Things'

Shakespeare’s comedies are conventionally thought of as being romances – which they are – but they were also meant to amuse his audiences. Sometimes he did this by inserting a comic scene.

There are countless situations in Shakespeare’s plays, that can be put into the category of ‘the human condition’ - part of what it means to be human. This is one good reason why Shakespeare’s plays continue to be performed - this course will explore why.

Themes span distinct locations across three continents and we will look at how social mores and patterns of behaviour influence the way each novel is structured.

Learn all you need to know about getting your colony through the winter including: Taking honey off; Treating for Varroa; Assessing feeding requirements; Feeding and getting the bees and hive ready for winter. Course Leader David Wiscombe has half a century of experience as a nationally known apiarist.

Gain a feel for the whole subject of garden design on this one day course, just in time for spring and summer.

A solid grounding on all aspects of enjoying wine, from tasting to choosing wine, valuing wines, food & wine matching, how wines age and when to drink them and we will even touch on faulty wines. You'll taste 15 great quality wines from around the world including whites, reds, fizz and dessert wines and the course will also include advice on choosing wines for Christmas.

No other novelist in late 18th and early 19th Century England wrote with Jane Austen’s clarity or acuity. While the down-to-earth Georgians appreciated her pithy, realistic portraits of gentry life, the straitlaced Victorians discovered a moral weightiness in her writing and cast a veneer of respectability over the novelist’s life and character. Two hundred years on, her plots and characters intrigue and delight a modern audience of readers, film-goers and television viewers. So, was the real Jane Austen a moralist…

This course will deal with a range of antiques and collectables from furniture to glass and from silver to ceramics. You will be guided through the methods of dating, shown how items were made, told what’s in fashion and what is not, and how to put a value to an item.

Now in its 21st year, this almost needs no introduction but if you want an overture to the festive season then the Dillington House Party is for you.

Why not treat yourself or a friend with an early Christmas present? Arrive at 4pm for afternoon tea with Christmas cake. Check into your bedroom and prepare for our Gourmet Dinner. Following a pre dinner aperitif join your fellow guests in the Dining Room for a seasonal feast.

An opportunity to be guided through the benefits of using an iPad and to gain confidence in embracing the new technological advances.

Starting with the very basics, this course at Knuston Hall will show you how to design a simple yet very effective web site.

A lunchtime talk at Knuston Hall with Brian Anderson

This course will show you how to design and build a simple web site. No special software or previous technical experience is necessary.

Have fun and learn some routines to a variety of dance numbers from your favourite musicals such as Grease- Mamma Mia- Saturday Night Fever- Chicago- Footloose- Hairspray and Slumdog Millionaire.

Thinking of getting an Apple iPad or perhaps you got one for Christmas? This is the course for you! It's a simple beginner's course that will allow you get going with email- photos and more.

This course will cover a variety of different kinds of creative writing. Are you a poet who doesn

This course is specifically developed for learners with little or no knowledge of computers or the internet. It is intended to give learners the confidence and necessary skills to participate online.

Playwrights and filmmakers have delighted in putting the Queen in front of an audience. This light-hearted play-reading course will take a look at three famous examples.

Discover how to play this most fascinating of card games- which can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

If you enjoy singing but are not sure how good you are- this course is for you. Come and learn about your voice and how to get the most pleasure from singing.

The full description for this course is not yet available. It will be added shortly. In the meantime- if you require further information- please contact Denman on 01865 391991.

exploring the 19th obsession with collecting and growing exotic and glamorous plants from abroad- including Denman garden walk

Discover how to create a stunning and extensive wardrobe from just a few well-chosen items. Learn to select- combine and co-ordinate outfits to die for!

Richard Attenborough's memorable WWI film of Joan Littlewood's iconic stage hit will be at the heart of this course.

An opportunity to build on the skills learnt in Mah Jong for Beginners.

All investments carry some risk. You may not be able to totally avoid all risks- but you can reduce them. To achieve this you need to be able to identify the risks- know the best ways to tackle that risk and understand your own risk tolerance.

See the image! Develop your ability to create interesting photographs. Learn to handle your digital camera with confidence. Suitable for all kinds of digital cameras.

The full description for this course is not yet available. It will be added shortly. In the meantime- if you require further information- please contact Denman on 01865 391991.

Everyone knows Thora Hurd

For centuries the Church has been at the forefront of musical innovation

This energy course will help you understand your energy bills- cut through some of the jargon and guide you to reducing costs and environmental impact while staying comfortable.

Jane Austen's early works provide a fascinating insight into her developing talent. Murder and mayhem- scoundrels and adulteresses- parodies and burlesques

Learn the benefits of using an iPad in a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere with tutor Susan Mills

This one day workshop is aimed at those working in the Arts and Crafts sector who wish to learn more about social media and will include a practical session on optimising social network profiles plus setting up and use of web tools and apps.

This course with Siobhan Allen is ideal for anyone who would like to create a website for an online-presence, for example to promote their business or themselves, or simply share their collected knowledge and wisdom. There will also be an opportunity to build an online store for the site, too.

Defining the Anthropocene and looking at the effects that human activities are now having on our planet; and investigating the way forward to reverse the damage we are causing to protect our planet for future generations. Illustrated throughout with images from Brian’s travels to some of the world’s most fragile wilderness areas.“Human activity is threatening the very survival of the world we know, its environment and its wildlife.”  

A USA Garden

Curious Travellers

Theatrical Anecedotes

Seasonal Celebration

Mid-Winter Murders

Joyce Grenfell

We will sing a wide variety of a cappella arrangements – sacred and secular – from the 16th Century to the present day.

Burns Night

Dinner Talk - The Kemble Sisters

12:00.00 Talk - Funny Ladies

Afternoon Tea - Funny Ladies