• TALK & TEA: A PHILOSOPHER’S GUIDE TO CHOICE

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    In this talk, we explore different philosophical perspectives on choice through the ideas of Sartre, Aristotle, and Zhuangzi. Sartre sees choice as radical freedom, Aristotle connects it to virtue and practical wisdom, while Zhuangzi suggests that the best choices arise naturally, in harmony with life. We’ll reflect on how these views shape our decision-making and […]

  • BRITISH BMG FEDERATION SUMMER SCHOOL WEEKEND 2026

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    We welcome the British Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar Federation to Higham with three separate courses: Danielle Saxon Reeves' Finger-style 5-string Banjo; Roland Gallery's From the Baroque to Bossa Nova for mandolin family instruments and guitar (including bass), and Nick Wyke’s Music across the Americas open to mixed strings from both the plucked and bowed families. […]

  • MIDSUMMER YOGA AND WALKING

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    A perfect mix of hatha yoga sessions (working on postures, breathing exercises and relaxation) and guided hill walks of up to 5 miles, sometimes over rough and steep ground (requiring a reasonable level of fitness) among the peaceful northern fells - which will leave you feeling supple, relaxed and refreshed! Suitable for beginners and experienced. […]

  • ENAMEL BOWLS LARGE AND SMALL

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    This course will focus on making fired enamel copper bowls of different sizes. While there will be a range of sizes available to work with, those who have not made an enamel bowl before will be encouraged to start with a small bowl. Those with some experience of making small enamel bowls will have the […]

  • WATERCOLOURS WITH CONFIDENCE

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    Paint in a variety of settings: utilising the studio and Higham grounds. Enjoy demos, paint alongs and painting en plein-air. You can bring your own reference materials, work form life or follow tutor led demonstrations. Come along, develop skills and improve your confidence. For all levels.

  • SCULPTURAL NEEDLEFELT

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    Create a characterful sculpture, c.12-18 inches in size, using wool fibres based on a wire armature. There will be plenty of sources of inspiration and support to try one of a range of stylistic approaches, from art deco abstraction to stone-carved or caricature. Sympathetic, patient and knowledgeable guidance from an outstanding felt artist (http://www.furzie.co.uk). All […]

  • WRITING THE LIVES OF SAINTS: THE GOLDEN LEGEND AND ITS COUNTERPARTS

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    In Anglo-Saxon and medieval England, hagiography - the writing of the lives of saints - became a literary genre par excellence that emerged from a confluence of oral traditions, cultural practices and religious pilgrimage throughout Europe. Notable examples of this phenomenon include Mirk's Festial, Aelfric's Lives of Saints and The Golden Legend, a collection of 153 hagiographies that […]

  • THE PHILOSOPHY OF CREATIVITY

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    No one can be told how to create, lest they cease to be creative. Creativity is also notoriously difficult to define; although many people have tried. So why should we philosophise about creativity? The main reason, as Jerome Bruner puts is, “beyond practicality”. It is “the ancient search of the humanist” for what makes human […]

  • SUMMER STRING ORCHESTRA

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    Join us at Higham to experience the glories of the String Orchestra repertoire. We will study Britten Simple Symphony, Handel Concerto Grosso op 6 no 11 and Delius Aquarelles. You should have some orchestral experience for this course. Please state your instrument when applying and whether you prefer 1st or 2nd violin parts.

  • CAPTURING MOVEMENT

    Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

    Explore methods of illustrating movement, first in drawing form and then in watercolour. There are several painting and drawing approaches you can employ to capture the look of a form travelling at speed. These ideas will be explored, shown first in demonstrations and exercises. Once you have got to grips with the basic approaches, you […]