ARRIVAL
All residential courses start with dinner at 6.30pm and finish after breakfast or lunch. Please register between 5pm to 6pm on the start day of the course.
COURSES
You will receive a course programme shortly after booking with information on the course content, times, materials and equipment. Our courses cater for students at all levels of experience but please phone for advice on the level of a particular course. Walking courses are graded levels 1, 2 or 3.
Level 1 – easy – Up to 5 miles with little uphill and on good paths.
Level 2 – moderate – 5 to 10 miles on recognised paths that could be rough or stony in places, with some uphill to 500 metres.
Level 3 – demanding – 8 to 12 miles on rough, steep paths, possibly with some easy scrambling, with climbs of around 1000 metres.
Please note that we may vary the course programme or replace a tutor should it be necessary.
SPECIAL DIET OR VEGETARIAN?
There is always a vegetarian option at lunch but not at dinner, unless you order beforehand. We can usually cater for special diets if you tell us when you book.
FACILITIES
Facilities include a garden with woodland walks, a putting green and croquet lawn, as well as some wonderful walking country surrounding the college. Our food continues to maintain its reputation and is complemented by a good wine list. There is also a well-stocked bar with locally brewed real ale, a library and a drying room for wet walkers! The Hall has been adapted for guests with disabilities, within the limitations of an old and historic building. The main lecture room has a hearing loop and a portable hearing loop is available for use in other rooms.
ACCOMMODATION
There are 17 en-suite rooms (all with showers) and 8 standard rooms (all with handbasins) in the Hall, and a further 7 rooms in the gatehouse and bungalow (with shared bathrooms). We offer en-suite rooms on a first-come, first-served basis, and you cannot reserve specific bedrooms. Please note that all en-suite rooms have showers and not baths. If you have a standard room, you will have the shared use of 3 shower rooms and 2 bathrooms.
CORKAGE
As we have a licensed bar and dining room, we charge corkage at £5 a bottle for wine brought in.
LIBRARY
We welcome donations of books to expand our library stock. Books on art, architecture, crafts, music, fashion, history, language, literature and science are greatly appreciated.
BRINGING A FRIEND
We are happy to accommodate a friend who is not attending a course. If they share a room with you they will be charged our standard bed and breakfast rate.
OTHER ACCOMMODATION
Local bed and breakfast accommodation is usually available when all the college rooms are taken. We can put you in touch with a number of guesthouses close to the college and you can then book directly with them. So, even when we are full, you may still be able to go on a course.
CARAVANS
There is space at the back of the college for caravans or motorhomes. You can sign up as a
non-resident and pay £7 a night for each person. Water, toilets and showers are available in the college but please note that there is no disposal for chemical toilets or electrical hook-up.
BUNGALOW TO LET
We have a bungalow in the grounds, which we let out occasionally, when it is not used as accommodation for our courses. It is fully equipped and suitable for wheelchair users. At £400 a week, including heating, electricity, bed linen and towels, it is exceptional value.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The nearest convenient railway station is at Penrith. The most convenient bus stop is at the Wheatsheaf Inn at Embleton (about a mile from the college) for the bus from Penrith or Cockermouth. We can meet you at this bus stop, if you phone us beforehand. If you are over 60, don’t forget to use your bus pass for this part of the journey.
FRIENDS OF HIGHAM
The Friends of Higham is a separate charitable organisation supporting the college with bursaries and special project grants and, of course, looking out for the college in any way it can. Members receive a newsletter and a copy of each brochure ahead of the usual mailing. To become a Friend please contact: The FOH Membership Secretary, PO Box 75, Driffield YO25 5XJ.
HOW TO BOOK
Please fill in the booking form on the back page and return it with your deposit. Or, you can book by phone. A special booking form is available for study tours and will be sent with the tour details.
FEES
The residential fee quoted for each course is for single-room accommodation and includes all meals, travel during the course, entrance fees and tuition but not materials. The non-resident fee includes all meals except breakfast. The en-suite supplement is £10 a room for every night. There is a discount of £5 a person for every night if you share a twin or double room.
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION
You will need to pay a deposit of £25 when you book a place on a course or the full fee for day courses. Deposits, and day course fees of less than £25, cannot be refunded or transferred. The balance of your course fee will be due 4 weeks before the course starts and cannot be refunded if you cancel during that period, unless you have cancellation protection. You may lose the place to someone on the waiting list if we do not receive the payment in time. Cheques for course fees should be made payable to HIGHAM HALL COLLEGE.
EXTENDED CANCELLATION PROTECTION
You can take out cancellation protection for £3 for every day of your course (resident or non-resident). This will cover the loss of your course fee (deposit not included) if you cancel through illness or injury, or the illness or injury of a friend or relative, at any time before the course starts (a doctor’s certificate will be required). It will now also cover adverse weather conditions preventing you from travelling on the day the course starts (some form of independent evidence will be required). You should make this request and payment when you pay the balance of the course fee.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
A limited number of concessionary fees and Friends of Higham bursaries are available to people on low income and in receipt of certain state benefits (Job Seekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Council Tax Benefit or Pension Credit). Please ask for details once you have selected your course.
THE YOUNG PERSONS SCHEME - COURSES
If you are between 18 and 25 years old, you can benefit from a special discount on all our courses. Please provide evidence of your age when you enrol.
THE YOUNG PERSONS SCHEME - WORK EXPERIENCE
A number of voluntary placements are available to young people (18 to 25) who have left school and who are not in employment. The places are unpaid but travel expenses and meals will be provided. Please write to the Principal for more information.
CARERS SCHEME
If you are caring for someone and find it difficult to attend a course please get in touch with the college. We may be able to help.
SUPPORT WHILE ON A COURSE
If you are disabled and need support from a friend to assist you, please let us know as we have various schemes to help. |
