Higham Hall

09/10/2026

Cartoons for Christmas with Colin Shelbourn!

Looking for a fun and creative festive break? Join celebrated cartoonist and author Colin Shelbourn for an entertaining weekend learning the simple tricks and techniques behind drawing cartoon figures, animals and Christmas characters.

From stick figures to snowpeople, you’ll discover how easy it can be to create your very own Christmas cards — with plenty of fun, practice and creative inspiration along the way!

📅 Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November 2026
🎨 Perfect for beginners and budding cartoonists
🎄 Create your own fun Christmas cards

Spaces are available — book your place today!

07/10/2026

Last week, Peter Wilson and his group of students headed out into the Lakes, exploring Borrowdale, the Langdales and Caldbeck Common as part of their course.

Through daily field trips and evening presentations, the group discovered how glaciers, floods, landslides and frost action have shaped the dramatic landscapes we see today. From valley floors to the high fells, it was a fascinating opportunity for students to see these geological processes written into the landscape.

Check out our other geology courses online: https://tinyurl.com/2b7dwy5s

05/10/2026

The new edition of The Story of Higham is now available!

This newly updated and expanded edition marks 50 years of adult education at Higham, celebrating the people, place and learning that have shaped our story.

“Higham is no ordinary college; it brings together not only the exceptional talents of our tutors and the quality of the courses they deliver, but also the restorative beauty of our Grade II listed Gothic Revival country house, rich gardens and spectacular setting… This is the story of that place.”

The Story of Higham is a celebration of a very special place and the community that has grown around it.

Books are £15 and can be purchased from our shop when you next visit, or email us to arrange a copy to be posted to you.

02/10/2026

🎞️ LOST CUMBRIA ON FILM

Step back in time and discover Cumbria as you’ve never seen it before.

Join us for a fascinating journey through rarely seen archive film, much of it dating back more than 100 years. Former BBC and ITV producer Andrew Leitch will guide us through this remarkable collection, bringing the people, places and stories of Cumbria’s past vividly back to life.

A unique opportunity to explore our local history through the eyes of the camera — and travel back through time.

📅 Friday 6 November 2026
🎬 Tutor: Andrew Leitch
🍽️ £35 per person | £65 for two - refreshments and lunch included

🎟️ BOOK ONLINE: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/event/118714

01/10/2026

🪑✨ INTRODUCTION TO UPHOLSTERY

Learn the basics of traditional and modern upholstery with expert tutor Cathy Newbery.

📅 Friday 6 November 2026
💷 £110 including lunch
🎨 Bring a small piece of furniture to restore + your chosen fabric.

Perfect for beginners looking to breathe new life into a favourite chair, stool or dining seat!

🔗 Book online: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/event/118715

30/09/2026

SUNDAY LECTURE: RED — THE COLOUR OF THE SOLWAY COAST

Join us for a fascinating journey into the stories, landscapes and history of the Solway Coast, told through the striking red sandstone that has shaped life on both sides of the Solway for centuries.

From names carved into cliffs and attempts to recreate fossil footprints in pastry, to navvies building viaduct embankments, ships carrying ballast and the construction of Holme Cultram Abbey - this distinctive local stone has countless stories to tell.

Join Ann Lingard, author of The Fresh and the Salt: The Story of the Solway, as she explores the colourful history hidden within this remarkable landscape.

📅 Sunday 29 November 2026
🎙️ Tutor: Ann Lingard
☕ £10 per person, including refreshments
🎟️ BOOK ONLINE: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GTQA

Red sandstone has played an important part in the lives of people both sides of the Solway. Names carved on cliffs, attempts to reproduce fossil footp

28/09/2026

We’re delighted to be featured in the latest issue of !

It’s wonderful to see Higham and our story shared with a wider audience. From our beautiful historic house and gardens to our programme of adult education, there’s so much that makes Higham a special place.

A big thank you to the team at for including us.

25/09/2026

A quiet corner, a beautiful view, and nowhere else to be.

16/09/2026

Did you know you can now book day courses, lectures and concerts online through TryBooking?

Take a look at the programme and plan your next visit to Higham:

Book online via TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/eventlist/highamhallcollege

14/09/2026

New to Higham: Restoration Kintsugi

Join Amelia Bedson for a day exploring the beautiful Japanese art of Kintsugi, meaning “golden joinery”.

Rooted in the philosophy of wabi-sabi, Kintsugi embraces imperfection — celebrating the history and character of an object rather than hiding its flaws.

During the workshop, you’ll be given a ceramic bowl and your own toolbox containing everything you need for the day. Amelia will guide you through safely breaking the bowl before showing you, step by step, how to repair and transform the pieces using traditional techniques and 24-carat gold leaf.

You’ll leave with your restored bowl, as well as the skills and confidence to give new life to other broken ceramics.

📅 Book online: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GTQO