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Quality adult education
Courses in Somerset
1950 saw Somerset County Council begin its journey into Adult Education at Dillington House. Over the years we have continued to evolve and change to meet the demands of our students and changing lifestyles.
We refresh and develop our adult education courses and events annually so we can offer a wide range of new subjects that run alongside more traditional favourites. Whether you’d like to attend a craft course, history course, poetry course, art course, photography course, music course or any of our other categories, Dillington House provides an excellent learning environment.
Course fees include tuition, refreshments and all meals. Residential courses include en-suite accommodation.
Browse our full list of courses, lectures, concerts and events or select from your specific area of interest.
View the programme of courses Overview of popular courses
Regular courses
Our rich and varied programme of day and residential courses are delivered by tutors who are passionate about their subjects and have excellent academic credentials. A vast majority of our courses lend themselves to be associated with the ‘Slow Movement’ – a time to recapture meaningful connections whilst creating and learning with others – take the opportunity to try something new and give yourself time to enjoy and gain new skills and knowledge.
Dillington House continues to evolve and grow and our adult education programme combines this by celebrating and continuing with favourite, traditional courses as well as introducing you to a wide range of new courses for your enjoyment.
Our traditional favourites include two weeks of Dillington Discoveries (previously known as Summer School), a rich mix of learning and pleasure. Dillington Discoveries gives you the chance to create your own special holiday with a difference.
Our annual Guitar Festival gives a unique opportunity to participate in a varied programme of music making that allows time to develop playing and music reading skills. The end of every day culminates in an evening performance by renowned international artists who perform in the wonderful setting of Dillington House.
Venues
Rooms for adult education
The 16th century manor house provides the ideal location to submerge yourself in learning, either on a day course or one of our longer residential courses.
Dillington offers 13 course rooms and over 40 bedrooms, perfect for both day and residential courses and events.
Accommodation is either in the main house in traditional country house style rooms, the cosy cottage style bedrooms in the magnificent Mews, or in the contemporary Boutique Hotel style bedrooms in the award-winning Hyde building. Our Hyde building ensures full disabled access and we strive to adapt all our facilities to meet your needs.
Adult Education Courses take place in rooms that compliment the learning. Our bright and airy studio rooms in the Hyde enhance your artistic experience, the traditional rooms in the manor house provide space to think and reflect whilst the large theatre is perfect for lectures and larger courses.
Stay with usDillington House offers 13 classrooms and lecture halls to suit most requirements, from our smallest room providing a classroom for 8 to our theatre accommodating up to 160 in lecture format. We can provide audio visual equipment and there is free WiFi access across the site.