This course is part of Dillington Discovery Winter week. Famous for its rolling countryside, Somerset is a county full of natural beauty. From its glorious beaches and jagged coastline to…

Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ over the space of two days to make a wonderful willow sculpture depicting a pair of leaping hares. Jo will…

Add dimension to your stitchwork and create more texture in your crochet. Learn the secrets of blending colour whilst working with groups of stiches, clusters and spikes! Develop your skills…

Focusing on the two main schools of Chinese philosophy, Confucianism and Taoism, this course will explore their foundations, their key thinkers, including Lao Tzu and Zhuang Zhou, as well as…

This sumptuously illustrated course will be a comprehensive exploration of the Tombs of the Nobles open to visitors on Luxor’s west bank. We will examine the design and decoration of…

This course is part of Dillington Discovery Winter week. Artists’ colonies flourished in the nineteenth and early-twentieth century in many countries across Europe, and we will concentrate on Britain, France…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. On this exciting two day workshop, fibre artist Carla Taylor of The Mousehole Woolery, will guide you through the basic techniques…

This course is aimed at students who enjoy sewing and would like to learn more about making their own paper patterns, creating their own designs to suit their figure. During…

Over a period of nearly six centuries Anglo-Saxon England grew to become one of the richest, best administered and culturally dynamic Kingdoms of Western Europe. The aim of the course…

Master the basics of crochet on this one-day workshop. Learn how to create a basic chain and simple crochet stitches. The day is very hands on and you will be…

Master the basics of crochet on this one-day workshop. Learn how to create a basic chain and simple crochet stitches. The day is very hands on and you will be…

Master the basics of crochet on this one-day workshop. Learn how to create a basic chain and simple crochet stitches. The day is very hands on and you will be…

Start your journey into the wonderful world of knitting. You will be guided through the basic techniques of cast on and cast off, the first knit and purl stitches and…

Start your journey into the wonderful world of knitting. You will be guided through the basic techniques of cast on and cast off, the first knit and purl stitches and…

A relaxed and fun weekends experience of practice and theory to enable everyone to understand their camera and improve their photography skills.  Suitable for anyone with an interest in photography,…

Blackwork is a historical hand embroidery technique dating back to the 16th century. It is a counted thread technique using small back stitches to create geometric patterns, which can be…

Have you ever wondered exactly how (and when) a seemingly random mark on a piece of paper becomes something we recognise? How do the sublime brushstrokes of JMW Turner or…

This course will suit all abilities of bobbin lacemakers from those just starting through to advanced. It covers English laces and many from the continent including Belgium, Spain and Russia.…

Brightly coloured and decorated Books of Hours were popular in the Middle Ages and as a result, they are the most common type of surviving medieval illuminated manuscript. On this…

This course for intermediate students is designed to develop the skills of those who have followed the beginners’ introductory course and are ready to proceed to rebinding a hardback book…

This course for intermediate students is designed to develop the skills of those who have followed the beginners’ introductory course and would like to pursue the craft further. Students will…

Come and play with folded paper using the simple concertina (accordion) structure flowing into more complex dynamic and delightful pieces. We’ll use cut, stuck and sewn multi-layering to construct star…

In this workshop you will learn to make soft and hardcover bindings for pamphlet stitched books. You will learn the fundamentals about the structure of books, preparing pages, sewing, cutting…

Do you have some cloth bound books in need of attention? Our focus on this course will be the repair and conservation of cloth case books including dry cleaning, paper…

Taking inspiration from the gardens at Dillington, on this studio based course we will learn about drawing and colouring spring flowers of your choice in the popular and realistic medium…

Taking inspiration from the gardens at Dillington, on this studio based course we will learn about the precise and detailed art of botanical illustration. No experience of art or botany…

Caravaggio had a brief and violent life, but his wonderful pictures contrasting dark and shade still resonate with artists to this day. We look at nearly every picture that he…

There are two main styles in traditional Chinese brush painting techniques: freehand style and meticulous style. Freehand style painting is known as literati painting or in Chinese “:Xieyi”, meaning write…

There are two main styles in traditional Chinese brush painting techniques: freehand style and meticulous style. Freehand style painting is known as literati painting or in Chinese “:Xieyi”, meaning write…

Try Christmas singing with a jazzy twist as we learn festive songs performed by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr. Featuring classics such as Baby It’s Cold Outside…

A unique musical experience for classical guitarists of all ages and of varying abilities (but not complete beginners). The emphasis is on participation, with students working in a non-competitive and…

This course is designed to help you to adopt a contemporary style in your practice of oil painting – to help you to create gestural, dynamic marks. Suitable for all…

Love wool? Then you’ll love needle felting! Fibre artist Carla Taylor of The Mousehole Woolery will guide you step by step through the basic techniques of needle felting as well…

The pharaoh Hatshepsut’s memorial temple at Deir el-Bahri on Luxor’s west bank was her greatest monument. So much can be learnt about her reign, the ideology of Egyptian kingship and…

Explore archaeological evidence, architectural remains, and written sources to build up a picture of what it would have been like to live in the Ancient Egyptian town of Deir el-Medina,…

Day One: Diaghilev’s Women: Tamara Karsavina and Bronislava Nijinska. Wednesday 5th April 2023 Tamara Karsavina was beloved by all. A product of Russia’s Imperial Ballet, she danced with Nijinsky in…

Dillington Discoveries brings in a new Winter week of activities, expanding on the success of 2021/2022 with some exciting new courses and content for the start of 2023. Winter Discoveries…

Walt Disney transformed the world of entertainment, charming young and old alike with his fantastical stories, whimsical characters and catchy tunes. In it’s centenary year, let’s celebrate Disney’s extraordinary musical…

Fibre artist Carla Taylor of The Mousehole Woolery will guide you step by step through the basic techniques of needle felting as well as sharing lots of tips and tricks…

From Da Vinci and Durer to Gehry and Gormley, creativity begins with drawing. As children, when we pick up a crayon and draw, we discover a liberating and potent way…

A block is a basic starting point for pattern making. It is a fitted darted shape to fit the figure, from which paper dressmaking patterns are made. The course begins…

This course introduces students to the copper foil method of stained glass making. Often referred to as the Tiffany method, after Louis Comfort Tiffany. This method is used to make…

This course introduces students to the copper foil method of stained glass making. Often referred to as the Tiffany method, after Louis Comfort Tiffany. This method is used to make…

The archaeological site known today as the Ramesseum is one of Egypt’s most romantic of ruined temples: home to colossal fallen statuary, inspiration for Percy Bysshe Shelley’s sonnet ‘Ozymandias’. This…

This lovely pouch is put together using a collage of different fabrics, and then embellished with hand embroidery. A variety of stitches will be used, and could include sequins, small…

You can add very attractive surface decoration, texture and colour to books with simple techniques such as applying coloured leather onlays and sewn detail. From embroidered outlines to fully appliquéd…

Eric Ravilious has enjoyed great popularity in recent years, culminating in a recent film that has been very well received. Briefly a student of Paul Nash, his watercolour depictions of…

We are all familiar with the naturalistic landscapes designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the mid-18th century. But later in the century, with increasing tourism and an appetite to seek…

The Bankes family have lived in Dorset at Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy since the 17th century, actively participating in 350 years of eventful history. A 3-year project at the…

Enjoy an exciting new printing technique using the heat press and disperse dyes to create unique designs in this day course. After a demonstration of the heat press , you…

Learn about the traditional skill of Indian Block Printing with images of block printing around Jaipur, handling hand printed fabrics and hand carved blocks. You will print tissue paper, card…

The quintessentially English village of Avebury is home to one of the most extraordinary megalithic complexes on the planet. On this course we will delve into the long history of…

Master the technique of Fair Isle knitting. Learn how read from a chart, practice stranding and weaving in yarns when using more than one colour, whilst maintaining perfect tension. Put…

This course introduces students to the copper foil method of stained glass making. Often referred to as the Tiffany method, after Louis Comfort Tiffany. This method is used to make…

This course introduces students to the copper foil method of stained glass making. Often referred to as the Tiffany method, after Louis Comfort Tiffany. This method is used to make…

This course introduces students to the copper foil method of stained glass making. Often referred to as the Tiffany method, after Louis Comfort Tiffany. This method is used to make…

This session is perfect for any knitter who would like to improve the finishing aspects of their work. We will learn the importance of taking time to complete your projects.…

From Holbein to the arrival of photography, the English have always kept a special place in their affections for the miniature.  No other country has supported such an unbroken succession…

From the 1890’s to the 1960’s, Winston Churchill’s life was captured in countless photographs.  He was a prolific writer and speechmaker – the definitive edition of his speeches alone runs…

Elizabeth I was the most remarkable woman of a remarkable age.  Her reign was one of the great creative periods of English history – literature, music, art, architecture and overseas…

This course will take a journey through the English historical and cultural landscape,  covering a period of time from the 7th to the late 14th centuries. As signposts, it will…

On the surface overlockers seem very complicated machines, however understanding how they work will increase confidence in all aspects of using them.  This course is suitable for those who already…

If you have recently bought a sewing machine or have never really understood how to use all the stitches and feet that came with your sewing machine, then this is…

This course will appeal to those with an interest in watercolours, abstract art, modernism, composition, expressive painting, landscape and urban art. ‘Give the paint a chance. Give the brush a…

This course will appeal to those with an interest in watercolours, abstract art, modernism, composition, expressive painting, landscape and urban art. ‘Give the paint a chance. Give the brush a…

During the nineteenth and early 20th centuries, there were great waves of migration from various parts of Europe to the ‘New World’ of America. Among those migrants were many talented…

If you really want to let rip with your voice, there’s no better way than by singing in a gospel choir. Spend a weekend with experienced gospel choir director Jo…

After 25 years under the dedicated stewardship of Peter Rueffer, the Dillington Guitar Festival has gone from strength to strength.  We are pleased to announce that from 2021 the Eden…

After 28 years under the dedicated stewardship of Peter Rueffer, the Dillington Guitar Festival has gone from strength to strength.  We are pleased to announce that from 2021 the Eden…

Fibre artist Carla Taylor of The Mousehole Woolery will guide you step by step through the basic techniques of needle felting as well as sharing lots of tips and tricks…

This one day course is the perfect introduction to improv patchwork inspired by the quilts of Gees Bend and is suitable for beginners and intermediate level stitchers. You will learn…

Learn about the traditional skill of Indian Block Printing with images of block printing around Jaipur, handling hand printed fabrics and hand carved blocks. You will print tissue paper, card…

An introduction to a fascinating natural dye technique suitable for beginners. Indigo dye originates from the plant indigofera tinctoria and the dye is extracted from the plants leaves. In the…

An introduction to a fascinating natural dye technique suitable for beginners. Indigo dye originates from the plant indigofera tinctoria and the dye is extracted from the plants leaves. In the…

The weekend starts with brief introductions of each participant and a favourite image. Ideal for someone with an interest in photography and who wishes to technically and visually improve their…

Learn about the traditional craft of Indian Block Printing with images of block printing around Jaipur, handling hand printed fabrics and hand carved blocks. You will print tissue paper, card…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. On this exciting two day needle felting workshop fibre artist Carla Taylor of The Mousehole Woolery will share with you how…

Classic lace knitting is a very traditional method of creating delicate and intricate work. During the day we will work up small samples of this technique, staring with the simplest…

Scatter cushions are used so much as decoration and for function in most peoples homes, used to bring an accent colour into a room, as a design feature, also practically…

Learn how to make your own Shoulder or Tote Bag from stunning Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather. After an introduction to leather and its many types and uses, you will begin…

This course is part of Dillington Discovery Summer week. Some watercolourists get stuck in a rut and produce perfectly competent paintings that lack freshness and originality. Why is this? A…

This is a fun and relaxed workshop learning this traditional print making technique in the form of lino printing. Create your own unique Lino blocks that you will take home…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Summer/Autumn week. This is a fun and relaxed workshop learning this traditional print making technique in the form of lino printing. Create your…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. This is a fun and relaxed workshop learning this traditional print making technique in the form of lino printing. Create your…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Summer/Autumn week. Suitable for beginners Zara will support you at every stage to achieve your hand printed fabric that will be made into…

This course is aimed at students who enjoy sewing and would like to learn more about making their own paper patterns, creating their own designs to suit their figure. During…

This two day course will enable you to create your own stained glass panel using the traditional method of combining coloured glass with lead. Stained Glass is an ancient art…

This two day course will enable you to create your own stained glass panel using the traditional method of combining coloured glass with lead. Stained Glass is an ancient art…

Using the traditional method of combining coloured glass with lead, this one day workshop will enable you to create one colourful stained glass spectrum stick which can be hung in…

In this practical, one day course, we study three watercolours from the Tate archive (one from the eighteenth century, one from the nineteenth and one from the twentieth) that exemplify…

The Swiss-born artist, Angelika Kauffman was one of the most celebrated painters in Europe in the later 18th century. We will survey Kauffman’s career in detail from her peripatetic early…

A relaxed and fun day’s experience of practice and theory to enable everyone to understand their mobile camera phone and improve their photography skills, covering simple techniques for taking fantastic…

Master the fascinating technique of modular knitting. Working with limited stitches and simple shaping you can create intricate pieces of work. It is a relatively simple method of the craft…

This fascinating lecture will examine some of the key events in the 600-year history of the Madeiran archipelago and will be illustrated with examples of its art and architecture. All-comers…

This lecture will survey the life and work of one of Spain’s celebrated architects, the Catalan Antoni Gaudi. He is best known today for the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, though…

Over a five hundred years the great medieval cathedrals of England were built.  In terms of resources called upon, space covered, design and craftsmanship employed, this period marks the greatest…

These illustrated lectures will consider the phenomenon of transportation in detail and will be built around the experiences of various individuals including the lecturer’s ancestor who was sent to Australia…

He was Emperor of the French for longer than his uncle, Napoleon I, and arguably did as much to change the face of Europe. But the bones of Napoleon III…

A great way to ease into the new year. With the help of pre designed sheets, some simple cutting exercises and lots of inspirational resources, you will cut out several…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Summer/Autumn week. A relaxed fun day’s practical photography experience of the Architectural Photography. The day starts with brief introductions by each participant and…

A relaxed and fun day’s experience of practice and theory to enable everyone to understand their camera and improve their photography skills. The aim is to take photographs of local…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Summer/Autumn week. A relaxed and fun day’s experience of practice and theory to enable everyone to understand their camera and improve their photography…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Summer/Autumn week. A relaxed fun day’s practical photography experience of the intimate world of ‘Close Up & Macro’ photography. I will base the…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. A relaxed fun day’s practical photography experience of the intimate world of ‘Close Up & Macro’ photography. I will base the…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. This course is intended for digital photographers taking the first steps into editing their images. It will include: File & Colour…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter/Spring week. A relaxed fun day’s practical photography experience of the Art of Portraiture Photography. The day starts with brief introductions by each…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. A relaxed fun day’s practical photography experience of the Art of Portraiture Photography. The day starts with brief introductions by each…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. A relaxed and fun day’s experience of practice and theory to enable everyone to understand their camera and improve their photography…

Do you want to create one of your own designs and translate it into a picture using the combined techniques of fabric collage with both machine and hand embroidery? Then…

The Plantagenet dynasty spanned eight generations of English kings from 1154 to 1399.  It produced some of England’s greatest kings and some of its less able rulers.  The period witnessed…

Enjoy a day exploring dye sublimation using a heat press to create unique and exciting designs.  You will be carefully guided through the different stages by demonstrations and will begin…

Enjoy a day exploring dye sublimation using a heat press to create unique and exciting designs.  You will be carefully guided through the different stages by demonstrations and will begin…

A day exploring colour, images, design and patterns with the heat press.  You will prepare your own dye papers and use sublimation papers combined with textures, images and plant material…

This is a fun and relaxed workshop experimenting with a range of traditional relief printing techniques including monoprinting, block printing, collagraph and lino printing. On the day, you will be…

This is a fun and relaxed workshop experimenting with a range of traditional relief printing techniques including monoprinting, block printing, collagraph and lino printing. On the day, you will be…

“The gravest immorality is to try to finish what isn’t well begun. But a picture that is well begun may be left off at any point.” Sir Matthew Smith (1879…

“The gravest immorality is to try to finish what isn’t well begun. But a picture that is well begun may be left off at any point.” Sir Matthew Smith (1879…

From ancient DNA to space age survey technology exciting archaeological discoveries are rarely out of the news. Combining real world case studies, and hands on finds analysis, whether you’re a…

Eric Ravilious has enjoyed great popularity in recent years, culminating in a recent film that has been very well received. Briefly a student of Paul Nash, his watercolour depictions of…

For much of his lifetime, Richard Strauss (1864-1949) was best known as a star conductor. As his music became known, he was initially dubbed ‘Richard the Second’ because of his…

Roman blinds are a great way of dressing a window, giving a simple uncluttered look. This course will cover all the techniques and stitches required to make a lined and…

On this exciting two day needle felting workshop fibre artist Carla Taylor of The Mousehole Woolery will guide you step by step through the basic techniques of needle felting as…

This course will study three works of sensation fiction.  Sensation fiction took the literary world by storm generating pleasure and disquiet in equal measure. The course will consider Mary Elizabeth…

Singing with others is an exhilarating and liberating experience that everybody can enjoy. Singing for Larks workshops, run by Faith Watson, are based on the tradition of learning songs by…

One of the best-selling musical groups of all time, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons have delighted audiences for over 60 years with their upbeat doo-wop songs, both in concert…

In this workshop they would learn about the Slow Stitch movement. Through the simple and mindful process of stitching – we will explore the beauty of the different textures of…

Our subject for this study day is the idiosyncratic English painter, Stanley Spencer. Over the course of the day, we will survey his life and prodigious output as a painter…

During this course, you will learn the basics of textile screen printing using a stencil method. Inspiration for your hand cut paper stencil will come from exploring the beautiful grounds…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. During this course, you will learn the basics of textile screen printing using a stencil method. Inspiration for your hand cut…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Summer week. Stumpwork is a three-dimensional embroidery technique which became very popular in the 16th and 17th centuries and was used on book…

Pianists Mike Denham and Julian Phillips will play an alternating programme of solos and sometimes duos, taking the music from Ragtime through to Boogie-Woogie. The concert ticket includes tea and…

This is a very inspirational day where you will work on pre knitted swatches, we will practice our embroidery stitches, add applique, embellish the surface in various ways including beads,…

From the beginning of our modern age navigators and their merchant backers baulked at the long detours required to round the great Capes of Good Hope and the Horn and…

This day course is the third of a series of standalone courses which considers how our modern world took shape. Of all the trading nations, the British were conspicuously the…

Admiral Lord Nelson’s real ‘Bequest to the Nation’ was the unchallenged domination of the world’s seaways by the Royal Navy for over a century after the Battle of Trafalgar. In…

This course is part of Dillington Discovery Summer week. The period for the 16th to the late-18th centuries was a time of huge change in English architecture. The rise of…

Kantha is a Bangladeshi word for rags. It is also the name given to a form of stitching used to make quilts and covers from the good parts of old…

In October 1853 the Russian invasion of a neighbouring country, on the pretext of protecting a threatened minority, prompted a military intervention by Western powers.  The war, which dragged on…

Elizabeth I was the most remarkable woman of a remarkable age.  Her reign was one of the great creative periods of English history – literature, music, art, architecture and overseas…

For this month’s Book Club, we will be discussing Animal Farm by George Orwell published by Wordsworth Classics. Includes coffee and lunch.

For this month’s Book Club, we will be discussing Connemara Mollie by Hilary Bradt – published by Bradt Travel Guides. Includes coffee and lunch.

For this month’s Book Club, we will be discussing Under the Net by Iris Murdoch published by Vintage Classics. Includes coffee and lunch.

For this month’s Book Club, we will be discussing Silas Marner by George Eliot published by Wordsworth Classics. Includes coffee and lunch.

For this month’s Book Club, we will be discussing The King Must Die by Mary Renault published by Virago Modern Classics. Includes coffee and lunch.

With plenty of illustration at the keyboard, plus audio recordings and rare film clips, Mike Denham compares the four piano styles of ragtime, blues, boogie-woogie and stride. These ‘complete’ styles…

Does religion still play an important part in Western societies? Taking inspiration from Alain de Botton’s book, Religion for Atheists, this course will begin by laying down the foundations of…

Sickness, age and bad luck have always left members of the community vulnerable to poverty and hunger. Equally constant, however, over many centuries, have been the efforts of the national…

Come on a musical journey through the history of ragtime, blues, boogie-woogie and stride with renowned pianist Mike Denham and guest pianist Julian Phillips. Mike and Julian will illustrate at…

During this course we will start with the search for the North-West Passage which had captivated the imaginations of explorers, merchants and adventurers as far back as the journeys of…

This course is part of Dillington Discovery Winter week. Though one of the most venerable of musical forms, the Theme and Variations is still very much in use by today’s…

This course is part of Dillington Discovery Winter week. For many people, architecture means the grand buildings such as cathedrals and country houses. But the story of English architecture is…

Focusing on loose and lively wet into wet watercolour techniques and how to create natural looking foregrounds with depth and interest. We will experiment with techniques for achieving pattern, texture…

Focusing on all things ‘sea-sidey’ – fish, rockpools, beach huts, sand/water patterns, lobster pots, shells – whatever inspires. An opportunity to experiment with different techniques and media that work with…

Some watercolourists get stuck in a rut and produce perfectly competent paintings that lack freshness and originality. Why is this? A major cause is the “ too much syndrome “.…

A day exploring natural fibres to create felted fabric and silk paper, in the morning we will work with merino tops which are soft and delicate to make a strong…

This course is part of Dillington Discovery Winter week. Our response to colour is direct and emotional. The natural world is replete with it, we cover our homes in it,…

Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a 3 foot wide flying willow bee. Jo will guide you through each step to create your sculpture…

Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a 3 foot wide flying willow bee. Jo will guide you through each step to create your sculpture…

Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a wonderful 2 foot high chicken or cockerel for your home or garden. Jo will guide you through…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Summer/Autumn week. Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a 4 foot high willow deer with a basic…

Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a 4 foot high willow deer with a basic metal frame. Jo will guide you through each step…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a 4 foot high willow deer with a basic…

Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a 3 foot wide willow flying dragonfly for your home or garden. Jo will guide you through each…

Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a wonderful 3 foot high Willow Hare for your home or garden. Jo will guide you through each…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Winter week. Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a 4 foot wide flying willow owl. Jo will…

Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a wonderful 2 foot high, 3 foot long willow pig or a 4 foot high willow deer with…

This course is part of Dillington Discoveries Summer/Autumn week. Join local Somerset artist Jo Sadler of ‘Forged n Willow’ to make a wonderful 2 foot high, 3 foot long willow…

We will be considering two different real life cases of murder which occurred between 1900-1975. Participants will be expected to listen to the evidence, discuss the case and attempt to…

We will be considering two different real life cases of murder which occurred between 1900-1975. Participants will be expected to listen to the evidence, discuss the case and attempt to…

We will be considering two different real life cases of murder which occurred between 1900-1975. Participants will be expected to listen to the evidence, discuss the case and attempt to…