From 10–14 August, our Neighbourhood Learning Summer School brings together some of the most captivating minds in cultural history for four days of exploration, conversation and shared discovery. The programme is rich and varied, ranging across centuries and disciplines, offering depth for those who want it and pure pleasure for those who simply want to enjoy it — and very often, those turn out to be the same thing.
But the Summer School is about more than just the sessions themselves. It is about the conversations over coffee, the debates over dinner, the unexpected connections between ideas and between people. Learning, at its best, is a communal experience — and that spirit is at the heart of everything we do.
Residential students enjoy complete access to every course, evening lectures, all meals, refreshments, and bed and breakfast. Non-residential students enjoy the same full programme while returning home each evening. Or simply join us as a day student for whichever course or lecture catches your eye.
However you choose to join us, you'll be very welcome.
Your tutors: Gwyn Parry-Jones, Jan Cox, Laura Mayer, Angie Smith, Richard Kay, Alan Lascelles and John Highnam.
Monday 10 Aug 2026
6:00pm – 4:00pm
Holbrook Manor & Spa Castle Cary Road Wincanton Somerset BA9 8BS
Prices (per-person) Residential (Single Occupancy - En-suite) 4 nights, full programme access 4 nights B&B (Single Occupancy) All 4 lecture evenings 4 evening dinners Course access Mon–Thu All lunches & refreshments £1,295 per person
We operate a deposit scheme of £250 per-person for all booking types, with the balance due 4 weeks before the course start date (We will send a reminder and secure payment link for the balance on the due date).

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10:00am - 5:00pm
Somerset Rural Life Museum Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DB

'Ways with Wood' celebrates the life and work of Glastonbury-based artist Harry Brockway (1958–2024).
23 May 2026
10:00am - 5:00pm
Somerset Rural Life Museum Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DB

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This course will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.