Neighbourhood Learning

25/09/2025

A real masterstroke 🖌🎨

The legendary eight Impressionist exhibitions between 1874 and 1886 produced many famous paintings by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro, Cézanne, Morisot and Seurat.

Join art historian Jan Cox as, over the course of two days, we look at the pictures by these 'big names' but also the lesser-known artists who exhibited there. These exhibitions were not all 'sweetness and light'; there were many tensions and undercurrents at play. We will look at how these exhibitions came about, the people who helped stage them, the reaction of the critics, and the aftermath.

Without a doubt, this promises to be fascinating Neighbourhood Stay covering surely the most famous group of artists in the world!

During your stay in the stunning setting of Pennard House, you’ll enjoy the most delicious locally-sourced food as you immerse yourself in the truly home-from-home atmosphere of this Jacobean manor house and grounds.

Bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshments at break times are all included with every residential booking (Non-resident options also available!), so all you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy...

The Impressionist Exhibitions
3-5 November 2025 at Pennard House
Book your ticket today at www.neighbourhoodlearning.com
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24/09/2025

A storied history 📖

During a brand new Neighbourhood Workshop with historian Andrew Powell-Thomas - Author, we’ll discover some of the famous, and lesser-known attractions of Somerset; from beaches to buildings and coastline to castles on a whistle stop overview of the county as Andrew shares some of his '50 Gems of Somerset'!

What better way to find out more about this most wonderful of English counties…

As always, all bookings include a delicious 2-course lunch freshly prepared in the kitchen, plus tea, coffee and indulgent cake at break times... just what you need to keep topped up!

History of Somerset
24th October at Haselbury Mill
Book your ticket today at www.neighbourhoodlearning.com
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19/09/2025

Picture this 📷

Learn the theory and then put it in to practice!
During this one-day “Art of Monochrome Photography” Neighbourhood Workshop led by Peter Carter, we will consider the design elements that contribute to impactful black & white photographs before going out and taking some brilliant photos of our own!

We will look at the use of Minimalism and Mindfulness, including the use of Negatives Space, in creating Fine Art monochrome images. Illustrated throughout with the work of well-known and not-so-well-known photographers, this workshop will encourage attendees to previsualise images before shooting rather than taking a “let’s see what the image looks like in black & white afterwards” approach.

The second part of the workshop will consist of a relaxed and fun practical session in and around the grounds of Haselbury Mill where we'll put into practice what we have learnt!

Our home for the day will be the stunning surroundings of Haselbury Mill near Crewkerne where the friendly team a will ensure you are well looked after throughout your visit with a beautiful 2-course lunch and refreshments, not to mention a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

We can picture it right now! 🫶

The Art of Monochrome Photography
23rd October 2025 at Haselbury Mill
Book your ticket today at www.neighbourhoodlearning.com
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18/09/2025

Golden hours 🟠

We're so excited to be back at the beautiful Pennard House next week!

Our resident music historian Gwyn Parry-Jones will be joining us for a exploration of the Concerto... plus, we have a wonderful Neighbourhood Lecture with Garden Historian Dr Laura Mayer where we will be celebrating 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen by examining the authors relationship with the English Landscape.

If you're already booked to come along then we can't wait to see you there!
If you'd still like to come along, then what are you waiting for?

visit www.neighbourhoodlearning.com now to book a place

+ Concerto! (22-24 Sept)
+ Jane Austen & The English Landscape (24 Sept)
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17/09/2025

Root and branch 🍂

Inspired by the Autumnal season, we'll be exploring a variety of techniques, plus experimenting with the use of simple printing, pattern making and more, to create exciting, atmospheric paintings in watercolour with tutor Shari Arnott in the next of our residential Neighbourhood Stays at Haselbury Mill!

Autumn Watercolours

Come and stay with us from 22-24 October 2025
Reserve your place now at www.neighbourhoodlearning.com
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22/08/2025

Learning for Life 📚

We've had such fantastic groups of learners in 2025 so far and we're looking forward to welcoming many more in the coming months!
Visit www.neighbourhoodlearning.com to see all our upcoming courses...
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20/02/2025

Check out our current courses available to book in 2025!

Maybe you like exploring history, getting hands-on with creative crafts, delight in music, feel inspired by artwork or just love to find out something new, we have a range of brilliant courses taking place this year.

Whether joining us for the day, a residential stay or just for the afternoon, you can be assured of a wonderful shared learning experience in beautiful spaces, where the teaching is engaging and the hospitality is warm.

So come and join our Neighbourhood this year!
We'd love to see you there 👋

https://www.neighbourhoodlearning.com/courses
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Browse our programme of adult education. We have a wide range of day courses, residential courses and lectures available, all delivered by expert tutors who have a real passion for their subject.

20/02/2025

Music to your ears 🎷 🎶

The music of the 1920s and 30s is full of excitement and colour. Brilliant talents such as Dimitri Shostakovich, Benjamin Britten, George Gershwin and many more appeared, and novel elements such as jazz and neo-classicism were developed. But it was also a period of tension and anxiety, as the threat of hostilities remain ever-present; that too is reflected in the great music of the time.

Join music historian Gwyn Parry-Jones as he navigates a truly memorable journey through the music of this fascinating period and explores its lasting legacy.

BETWEEN TWO WARS: The music of the 1920s and 30s

Come stay with us at Haselbury Mill on 10-12th March
Book your ticket : https://www.neighbourhoodlearning.com/events/between-two-wars
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20/02/2025

Waves of creativity 🎨 🌊

The heyday of artists’ colonies in Europe occurred prior to the First World War. St. Ives, Newlyn and Staithes in England were filled with artists looking to capture the light and the lives of the local fishing people. The same was true of Concarneau in France and Skagen in Denmark; depicting the working people of the sea and their tough existence.

A fascinating period that produced some of the finest art of the late nineteenth century, explore these intriguing stories with art historian Dr Jan Cox.

By Stream and by Shore: Artists’ Colonies in England, France & Denmark

Come stay with us Pennard House on 22-24th April
Book your ticket now : https://www.neighbourhoodlearning.com/events/artist-colonies
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