Delve into history

Explore the events of the past, and how they鈥檝e shaped the world we live in today. Immerse yourself in different eras, marvel at historic achievements, and examine how different things could have been.  

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All of our courses are designed to help develop your skills in historical research and analysis, encouraging you to look beyond the surface of key historical moments. From the history of King Arthur to World War I and II, you鈥檒l develop a better understanding of key historic customs, beliefs, and ways of life.   

Whether you consider yourself a history buff with decades of experience, or someone just starting out that wants to learn more, you can choose from a wide selection of topics.   

Attend a WEA history course near you  

A variety of our history courses are taught in-person or are delivered online - it all depends on what suits your needs best. From the comfort of your own home to a space in your local community. Whichever option you choose, you鈥檒l be taught by a talented tutor who is vastly experienced.   

The support you鈥檒l receive on our history courses  

They'll help you develop an understanding that goes beyond just what's on the surface, all within a friendly and encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

It鈥檚 our learning experience that sets us apart too, with many of those attending our courses going on to achieve incredible things. You鈥檒l learn at a pace that鈥檚 comfortable for you too, with a friendly supportive tutor on hand to answer any questions you might have. 

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History: Cookery through the ages

This day school is a condensed version of a full ten-week course on the history of British cookery, from the Stone Age up to the present day. We go through the historical timeline, examining major changes in food technology and sources, where food came from, how social history affected food and vice versa, how it was served, and how food has affected our language. While clearly I can鈥檛 fit all the details into a single day, I鈥檒l try to pick out the parts that are 鈥済ood stories鈥. This is a purely theoretical course, intended for beginners, and no experience of cooking or knowledge of history is needed (though experience of eating would help!).

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 21/06/2024 -
Fri 21/06/2024
Times:
11:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Forum (Norwich)
Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1TF
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00014952
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢25.00

History: Queens of Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt demonstrates how even in a male-dominated society women did on occasion rise to the highest position in the land. In this study day we will explore the women who not only held great influence but sometimes effectively ruled Egypt. From the famous female pharaoh Hatshepsut to Cleopatra VII we consider how this women came to power and served as some of antiquities most prominent female figures.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 22/06/2024 -
Sat 22/06/2024
Times:
10:30am - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Mary's University (Twickenham)
Waldegrave Road
Twickenham
TW1 4SX
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00014669
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢40.00

History: An Introduction to Criminal Profiling and Crime Scene Analysis

The origins of criminal profiling in the UK can be traced back to Dr Thomas Bond in the 1880s. This course will explore the evolution of applications and techniques over time, using top-down and bottom-up techniques to profile three case studies from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, respectively. Each photoset exercise will incorporate an analysis of the crime scene and associated criminal investigation, discussing the importance and limitations of eyewitness testimony and other significant factors. In order to maximise learning opportunities, this course will feature complex crimes involving multiple references to substance misuse, extreme violence, and use of weapons. This course assumes no prior knowledge.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 22/06/2024 -
Sat 22/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Norwich Millennium Library (Norwich)
Millennium Library
The Forum, Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1AW
Tutor:
Kerry Heathcote
Course code:
Q00015251
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢30.00

History: Art and About: The Great Fire: It started at a pudding and ended at a pye.

Part of 老九品茶 Art and About Festival 2024! A walk from Pudding Lane through the City of London to Pye Corner. This walk will chart the damage of the 1666 Great Fire of London and place it in the cultural context of the time. We will meet some key characters through whose eyes the story of the fire has been told and also those who came in to rebuild and reshape the city in its aftermath. Each participant will receive a handout to refer to along the route which includes images and quotes to illustrate the extent of this catastrophe. We will meet at The Monument (tube is monument tube or bank tube). It is the Monument to the Great Fire of London Fish St Hill, London EC3R 8AH. I will have a red folder with me!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 26/06/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Monument to the Great Fire of London
(Meeting Point)
Fish St Hill
London
EC3R 8AH
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00014834
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢10.00

WEA Membership

For just 拢15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an聽archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members鈥 annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

History: Art and About: Egyptian Treasures of the British Museum (Gallery Tour)

Part of 老九品茶 Art and About festival 2024! This course is an in-person gallery tour exploring the ancient Egyptian collection of the British Museum. In 2 hours we will tour both famous pieces and lesser known gems of the Egyptian collection. We will meet on the front steps of the museum off Great Russell Street 10 minutes before the class start. Please allow time to pass through security. If you are late please proceed directly to Room 65 (ancient Egypt and Nubia on the 3rd floor)

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 26/06/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Place:British Museum (London)
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DG
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00015112
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to 拢10.00

History: Art and About: The Pubs of Early Modern London

Part of 老九品茶 Art and About Festival 2024! This walk begins in Holborn and moves through the City of London finishing in London Bridge at the last galleried pub of the metropolis, The George Inn. It considers the imprint drinking establishments have left on London and explores the buildings themselves and some of the characters who frequented these establishments. Each participant in the walk will receive a handout with information about each stop they can refer back to in their leisure. We finish with a debrief in the pub! We will meet in front of The Ship Tavern behind Holborn Station at midday. I will have a red folder with me!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 27/06/2024 -
Thu 27/06/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: The Ship Tavern
The Ship Tavern
12 Gate St
London
WC2A 3HP
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00014837
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢10.00

History: Art and About: The Great Fire: It started at a pudding and ended at a pye.

Part of 老九品茶 Art and About Festival 2024! A walk from Pudding Lane through the City of London to Pye Corner. This walk will chart the damage of the 1666 Great Fire of London and place it in the cultural context of the time. We will meet some key characters through whose eyes the story of the fire has been told and also those who came in to rebuild and reshape the city in its aftermath. Each participant will receive a handout to refer to along the route which includes images and quotes to illustrate the extent of this catastrophe. We will meet at The Monument (tube is monument tube or bank tube). It is the Monument to the Great Fire of London Fish St Hill, London EC3R 8AH. I will have a red folder with me!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 03/07/2024 -
Wed 03/07/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Monument to the Great Fire of London
(Meeting Point)
Fish St Hill
London
EC3R 8AH
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00014836
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢10.00

History: Art and About: The Pubs of Early Modern London

Part of 老九品茶 Art and About Festival 2024! This walk begins in Holborn and moves through the City of London finishing in London Bridge at the last galleried pub of the metropolis, The George Inn. It considers the imprint drinking establishments have left on London and explores the buildings themselves and some of the characters who frequented these establishments. Each participant in the walk will receive a handout with information about each stop they can refer back to in their leisure. We finish with a debrief in the pub! We will meet in front of The Ship Tavern behind Holborn Station at midday. I will have a red folder with me!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 04/07/2024 -
Thu 04/07/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: The Ship Tavern
The Ship Tavern
12 Gate St
London
WC2A 3HP
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00014838
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢10.00

History: Lawrence of Arabia

Thomas Edward Lawrence CB DSO (16 August 1888 鈥 19 May 1935), better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British archaeologist, army officer and diplomat, who became renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt in Sinai and Palestine between 1916 and 1918 against the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire during the First World War. His strategy and tactics, and the breadth and diversity of his activities and associations, along with his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia, a title used for David Lean鈥檚 film of 1962, and the source of numerous biographies.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 13/07/2024 -
Sat 13/07/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Pagham Village Hall (Bognor Regis)
Pagham Road
Bognor Regis
PO21 4NJ
Tutor:
Alan Simmonds
Course code:
Q00014875
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢8.40

Care 2: Visit Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Come along and explore beautiful Chatsworth House, all from the comfort of your home! You will find out about this historic building and explore its rich history. This is a course for carers, former carers and the cared for, and is great chance to learn something new and be a part of an interesting discussion.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/07/2024 -
Mon 15/07/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00014603
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available