NATURE
VISITING LAKELAND GARDENS
Join expert Louise on an intimate tour of gardens, some not normally open to the public. Take inspiration and meet gardeners, viewing behind the gates, walls and hedges of some hidden horticultural gems of the Lake District. Louise Stoddart (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/louise-stoddart) Residential: £405 Non-residential: £295 (incl. field trips) A repeat of July's course.
MUSHROOMS AND TOADSTOOLS
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomOur seasonal opportunity to develop fungi identification skills with a respected expert in a prime natural area. Minibus field trips: easy, but off-path walking. Collect and observe fungi in various habitats, examine finds, accurately identify with a range of keys for identification to both genus and species. For anyone interested in fungi, seasoned or unseasoned,
EXPLORING GARDENS FROM THE ARMCHAIR
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomA series of encapsulating talks exploring the art and meaning of gardens, gardening and flowers. (These talks may appeal to those that are fascinated by gardening but not in the mood for hard, physical graft!). Danny Wells (Derbyshire highamhall.com/danny-wells) Residential: £270 Non-residential: £190
WINTER BIRDS
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomImagine spectacular gatherings of Barnacle and Pink-footed geese against a backdrop of a winter sunset and the massed pipings of thousands of waders as they swirl in the sky. Our Solway and Cumbrian coast is wintering ground for many species prior to their northward migration, hosting an exciting array of raptors. Hone your identification skills!
FULLY BOOKED: WINTER BIRDS
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomImagine spectacular gatherings of Barnacle and Pink-footed geese against a backdrop of a winter sunset and the massed pipings of thousands of waders as they swirl in the sky. Our Solway and Cumbrian coast is wintering ground for many species prior to their northward migration, hosting an exciting array of raptors. Hone your identification skills!
IDENTIFYING TREES IN WINTER
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomLook at trees as they appear during the winter months and be shown the features to identify them e.g. bark, winter twigs, form of the crown etc. Trips to local tree collections and woodlands will involve minibus travel and gentle level walking. Following outdoor sessions, we will examine specimens collected in fair detail allowing participants
FULLY BOOKED: GEOLOGY OF ENGLAND
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomThe geological history of England spans almost 700 million years of time, which is reflected in its great diversity of rocks and spectacular landscapes. Come on an exciting journey that will encounter cataclysmic volcanoes, dinosaurs, long-lost oceans and mountain ranges. This particular course is all classroom-based, purely indoors, with illustrated presentations and a large selection
VISITING LAKELAND HOUSES AND GARDENS
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomJoin expert horticulturalist Louise for special guided tours of some inspiring Spring gardens in the Lake District. Get to know the plants, growing conditions and particular challenges that gardeners and garden designers faced as part of the history of landscape gardening in this special corner of the world. Louise Stoddart (Cumbria www.highamhall.com/louise-stoddart) Residential: £430 Non-residential:
FULLY BOOKED: BIRD SONGS AND CALLS
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomThe vocalisations of birds are invaluable aids to help us in their identification but the process of learning them all may seem daunting and never-ending. Fortunately, most species have a repertoire which is unique, enabling confident identification, even in the absence of a view. Such calls and songs can also draw our attention to the
GEOLOGY OF THE LAKES: AN INTRODUCTION
Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United KingdomHave you ever wondered why the topography and geology of the Lake District and wider Cumbria area varies so much? Find out why when you travel through 500 million years of geological history on this course. There will be stories of ancient oceans, volcanoes, Himalayan-scale mountain ranges, tropical seas and swamps, deserts and ice ages.