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

Elizabeth Bowen’s stories explore childhood memories, the natural world, love, loss and the occult. Place is as significant as character and her writing is noted for its sharpness of observation. Both World Wars inspired many of her best short stories. From The Demon Lover, we learn what it was like to live in London during the blitz. In Joining Charles, the story of a young, unhappy wife: ‘A ghost from the future stood out from the looking glass.’ In Daffodils,…

What inspired medieval men and women to give their lives to God? We will examine the lives and writings of four very different individuals: St Benedict, Hildegard of Bingen, Francis of Assisi and Margery Kempe. Benedict’s Rule for Monasteries was a foundational text throughout the Middle Ages; Hildegard was a gifted abbess. In contrast, Francis of Assisi saw himself as ‘the little poor man’. Margery Kempe was a mother who described her adventures as a pilgrim. All-comers welcome.

Who were 'the Romans' and what were they doing in Buckinghamshire? Learn about new evidence of local Roman life. Based on sound archaeology, local sites will be explained, to provide a flavour of life and death in this turbulent time.

No era of European History was as remarkable or left as indelible a mark as Moorish Spain. The history, language, architecture, decorative arts, music, gastronomy, personality of the Iberian Peninsula owes so much to the civilization that occupied at least part of Spain for nearly 800 years. We shall follow the history of Moorish Spain from the invasion of 711 to the final surrender of Granada in 1492. We shall explore its architecture in particular the great cities, the Andalusian…

Following on from the weekend Course, we pack our bags and head for the south of Spain and the unique city of Cordoba where we spend four nights in a hotel next to the great Mosque. We shall experience a rich and wonderful four days: two in Cordoba itself, the most 'Moorish' (still) of all Spanish cities, where, among other things, we shall visit the Mosque, the summer palace of the Caliph and its wonderful museum; one in Seville, where…

Mah Jonng, also known as 'The Game of Four Winds', has been the Chinese national game for centuries. It is said that half the population of China can play this game. The beauty of the tiles, the variety of the rules, the Eastern tradition and culture in the playing make the game logical, competitive and addictive. Contrary to common belief it is easy to learn how to play the game, but as in many other games, the more you play…

The seventeenth century witnessed an amazing flowering of a group of writers later known as the Metaphysical poets because they used the discoveries of explorers and the wealth of contemporary science to become metaphors for their emotions and spiritual journey. Of these many gifted poets, John Donne, George Herbert and Thomas Traherne are possibly the most ingenious and powerful in their range of subjects which move and enrich our lives today.

The first Romantic ballet – La Sylphide (1832) – turned ballerinas into stars, soon eclipsing their male counterparts. This fascinating story of passions and intrigues brings to life the stories behind famous ballets such as La Sylphide, Giselle, Ondine, Le Papillon and more, and introduces the famous ballerinas whose rivalries and jealousies caused many a man to lose his senses.

A weekend course with Brian Anderson, photographer and adventurer, looking at some of the great explorers and their expeditions into the unknown world, or the ‘terra incognita’ of their centuries. We will travel the routes of Magellan, Drake, Cook, Weddell and others, and see the landscapes, wildlife & peoples they encountered on their expeditions. This course is richly illustrated with stunning images from Brian’s travels to over 55 nations and territories on five continents over the last 25 years or…

Some amazing plays were performed in Athens in the 5th century BC. This course traces the origins and development of Greek drama and provides an opportunity to participate in two play readings: Euripides 'Bacchae' in which King Pentheus recklessly rejects the worship of Dionysus and Aristophanes 'The Frogs', in which Dionysus, dressed as Heracles, enters the Underworld to bring back a dead dramatist to advise the Athenians in their hour of need. All-comers welcome.

This one day workshop is for those who wish to improve their presentational skills for illustrating garden designs. It would suit anyone who has an interest in or has studied garden design and wants to make more of their drawing skills. You do not need to be good at drawing to find this course interesting and informative. It will include perspective sketches, axonometric drawings and freehand sketching. Also the use of watercolour and pencil and ink. Everyone, no matter their…

This study day will explore the emerging Romantic sensibility and the poetry and politics of the 1790s. The focus is on Samuel Taylor Coleridge, particularly the inspiration he drew from the local landscape and from his friendship with Dorothy and William Wordsworth during their shared years in Somerset. We shall look at the four ‘conversation poems’ written at Nether Stowey and also consider some factors in the decline of his poetic powers in later years.

A national game in China, “The Game of Four Winds“ features beautiful tiles, varied rules, excitement and fascinating Eastern tradition. Although easily learnt, the more one plays, the more one realises how much there is to learn. The course will show you how to play in a joyful and encouraging way.

This classroom based course, which runs over three consecutive s, provides an opportunity to improve and refresh your garden with support and help from a professional garden designer. You will learn, step by step, how to redesign your own plot. The course will begin with basic principles and go on to consider choosing the right plants. By the end of the course you will have produced a new design, to scale, for your garden. No previous experience is required but…

The fascinating science of graphology, combined with simple psychological theories, enable understanding of the dynamics of relationships and of the criminal mind and why some people take the anti-social route. There will be practical investigation of well-known cases through handwriting samples and participants are invited to bring samples of handwriting for analysis. An ethical approach and respect for the writer are always paramount.

‘I have deceived even your very eyes’. We will explore, through reading and analysis, one of the most popular of Shakespeare’s comedies, Much Ado About Nothing. We will focus on the central theme of deception in the play: in particular the benevolent deception which supports the love story between Beatrice and Benedick, and the malevolent deception which underpins the plot against Hero. We will also consider the play in performance by looking at recent film and television adaptations. Participants will…

This classroom based course, run over three consecutive s, is for those who want no more expensive mistakes through impulse buying. Whether you are planting a border from scratch or trying to improve an established garden, the wealth of plants on offer can be overwhelming. By considering a few simple guidelines, putting plants together to good effect need not be so difficult. This is an enjoyable and informal course on choosing the right plants for your garden and how and…

From the caves at Lascaux to the plans for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, so much human endeavour begins with drawing. As children, when we pick up a crayon and draw, we discover a liberating and potent way to describe the world around us. Drawing is our first language with which we communicate our fantasies, our loves and fears, but over the years, something happens to persuade most of us that it is no longer of any value and…

Week One offers you a selection of courses from which to create your own special holiday with a difference. Choose to spend the week out and about with Mike Hope, take part in one of the longer courses or put together a programme of shorter courses or self-contained days.

Week Two offers a programme of full week courses but there is an opportunity to take time out from these and join a day with Dr Jan D. Cox on his Nordic Adventure or Chris Pollard on Spanish Cinema on Wednesday (subject to availability).

Off the beaten track and boasting stunningly beautiful landscapes, each of the areas to be visited during the week possess a unique set of characteristics and a wealth of evidence of human occupation over the last five thousand years. Each day you will visit, hear and see about events, places, buildings, monuments, people, the geology and the topography. All of these areas have served as, and continue to act as, the inspiration for artists, designers, writers and poets. Each day…

The rich variety of building materials is one of the most striking things about British architecture. Look around you in any town and you’ll see stone church spires, red brick houses, shop fronts decorated with tiles, perhaps an older timber-framed house, an Edwardian theatre with an ornate plastered facade, or a market hall with a roof of glass and iron. In this course we will look at these different materials and how they have influenced British architecture, exploring along the…

Do you feel that you would like to keep up with family events and share your news online but are daunted by just how to start using social media, and nervous of who’s out there? Keep up to date with friends and family, news, research, reviews and more; social media is more than just a gossip box! We will have a fun day, in a friendly and supportive environment, exploring email, Facebook, Skype and twitter, as well as other areas…

This day course takes the form of a workshop for planning your own travels by train through Eastern Europe. This year Mike Shaw extends his focus to the Western Ukraine, Rumania, Bulgaria and on to Istanbul. He will explain the origins of each of the national networks, the resulting choke points and how to avoid them. Thereafter we will work through a number of possible journeys and how these can be planned in detail. If you have a yearning to…

Dillington is located in a region that is steeped in history and has a rich and varied landscape, from moor to sea all within easy reach. Enjoy a three night stay in the beautiful surroundings of Dillington and be free to explore the wonderful counties of Somerset, Dorset and Devon. Return to a delicious evening meal and spend a relaxing evening in front of the fire. Price includes tea and cake on arrival and three nights dinner, bed and breakfast.

Suitable for those who already have a good working knowledge of common steps and formations in Scottish Country Dancing, this weekend will provide you with an opportunity to improve your technique, learn new dances and enjoy all social aspects of Scottish Country Dancing. There will be social dancing on Friday and Saturday and classes both Saturday and Sunday morning and an optional workshop on Saturday afternoon. Please note this weekend is not suitable for beginners. The balance of fees for…

Gain confidence in public speaking

Acclaimed philosopher Theodore Zeldin takes us in search of what a full and flourishing life could be.

Exploring self care as an act of generosity, this is a fun-filled day, guaranteed to inspire and energise you!

Talk on the heart's intelligence

Using simple, effective techniques and tips, and interactive exercises, you can learn to conquer your clutter and get organised

Stillness, meditation, movement, mime and improvisation in this creative introduction to The Sacred Clown

In each of the salon series of four three virtues will be explored. This one begins with Devotion, Balance and Perserverance

This immersive weekend will help to identify ways to overcome the obstacles that might hold you back.

Explore how unconscious assumptions about money may be stopping you from moving into the fullest expression of what you are here to do.

Public Talk with John-Paul Flintoff in conjunction with his weekend course

Transform your communication skills in job interviews, public speaking, presentations, teaching or social groups and learn how to express yourself freely.

RSA film of Frédéric Laloux with discussion

A conversational workshop on a new paradigm of leadership from Rising Women, Rising World.

Free taster workshops from our extensive 2017 programme, stalls, delicious home-made organic food and ice cream, children’s activities, live music and singing, Maypole dancing and more

Cultivating body-mind awareness through movement

This salon will focus on the virtues of Selflessness, Compassion and Courtesy

Learn about the profound implications of modern spiritual development and the means to express the soul more effectively in the outer world.

This salon will focus on the virtues of Contentment, Patience and Clarity

Uncover hidden dynamics in your relationships, family or organisation in order to release potential and find new ways forward.