Adult Courses

Back for 2021, this course will mix some favourite haunts with fascinating new destinations. As before, you will head off the beaten track to areas defined by, or possessing, a unique set of characteristics and evidence of human occupation over the past 5,000 years. Each day, you will learn about events, buildings, people, geology and topography, which combine to make these places so...

During the week, you will enjoy five different walks across the beautiful Wiltshire countryside around Marlborough. From the chalk grassland of the highest parts of the Wiltshire Downs to the lush valley of the River Kennet and through the ancient oak forest of Savernake, the scenery is varied and stunning. Along the way, you will pass a number of ancient sites and...

Explore a new selection of gardens in the Marlborough area for ideas and inspiration. The gardens your tutor has chosen to view are all privately owned and, in most cases, you will have the opportunity to meet with the owners to discover their thoughts behind the planting and design scheme first-hand. You will discuss their choice of plants in relation to the...

The medieval parish churches of England are easy to visit and study. Most of the churches around Marlborough are not grand, but have a lot of charm and much historical and architectural interest. You will acquaint yourself with the chief features of these buildings and their different architectural styles. This course will particularly interest anyone who has already enjoyed looking at churches in...

Explore hilltop prehistoric sites on ancient trackways with magnificent views, including hill forts dating from the Iron Age and nine white horse hill figures. Discover their history amid stunning scenery and summer wildflowers, with hopefully the bonus of catching a glimpse of some wildlife too. Travel will be by minibus, followed by a walk of between one and four miles. Be prepared...

You will visit five different nature reserves in Wiltshire that display the extensive range of habitats in the county. All are classified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and some are European Special Areas of Conservation. You will learn how they are managed for both wildlife and people and see some of the special flora and fauna that live there. The Reserves...

Misericords are the hidden wooden seats designed to ease the suffering of those standing at prayer for hours on end, found mainly, but not exclusively, in cathedrals up and down the land. They are a modern day phenomena that survived the Reformation, the English Civil War and misguided 20th century modernisation programmes. They portray intriguing images that range in scope from mythical...

The Wiltshire area boasts some of the finest gardens in the country. On this course, you will visit a selection of these Glorious Gardens, some open to the public, others private, but all with wonderful design and planting. On the way, you will be driven through the beautiful countryside of the Marlborough Downs, South Oxfordshire and then into the Cotswolds. From 17th...

The 20th century is, architecturally speaking, without doubt the most dynamic and constantly evolving century yet. The sheer pace of change in terms of style, materials and methods has given rise to new styles, new architectural languages and new generations of inspired architects. All of this change has also allowed true genius to flower. Each day, this course will introduce some key...

This richly illustrated course will bring Britain's prehistory alive and provide you with a comprehensive view from the earliest Palaeolithic Age, through to the nomadic Mesolithic, the Neolithic first farmers, the innovative Bronze Age and the Iron Age. You will learn from an archaeologist who has excavated every Age and discover where to go and what to look for. In addition to...

Enjoy learning to identify the most common species of wildlife in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside. You will spend an introductory afternoon in the classroom, looking at the main groups of organisms and focussing on common animals, particularly birds. You will then spend the rest of the course mostly outdoors. One afternoon will be devoted to birds and another to trees, including the majestic...

This stimulating course will give beginners to archaeology a broad overview of the subject, blending talks and presentations with practical sessions and site visits. Topics covered include methods and techniques of discovery and investigation, dating and chronology, landscape archaeology, archaeological science and artefact handling. Taking advantage of the setting of Marlborough in an archaeologically rich area, the...