Courses
The Life and Works of Charles Dickens with Henry Eliot, Series Two
Welcome to The Life and Works of Charles Dickens with Henry Eliot, Series Two: Social Critic Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
The Idler Guide to Investment with Edward Chancellor
Welcome to The Idler Guide to Investment with Edward Chancellor. Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
William Blake in 42 Images with Mark Vernon
Welcome to William Blake in 42 Images with Mark Vernon Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
Seaweed Foraging with Lucia Stuart
Welcome to Seaweed Foraging with Lucia Stuart Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
How to Write Your Life Story with Simon Petherick
Welcome to How to Write Your Life Story with Simon Petherick Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
A Brief History of Iran with Kamin Mohammadi
Welcome to A Brief History of Iran with Kamin Mohammadi Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
The Idler Guide to Bach with Sandy Burnett
Welcome to The Idler Guide to Bach with Sandy Burnett Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
The Idler Guide to Paradise Lost with Anna Beer
Welcome to The Idler Guide to Paradise Lost with Anna Beer Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
How to be an Anarchist with Ruth Kinna
Welcome to How to be an Anarchist with Ruth Kinna Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
An Introduction to Italian Literature with Henry Eliot
Join author and editor Henry Eliot on a sun-drenched tour of Italian literature
Forgotten History of Britain with Matthew Green
Welcome to Forgotten History of Britain with Matthew Green Drowned. Buried in sand. Plunged off a cliff. Wiped out by Plague. These are the stories of Britain’s lost cities, ghost towns and vanished villages: our shadowlands. From the prehistoric village of Skara Brae buried in a sand dune in Orkney to the drowned medieval
Improve Your Handwriting with Susie Deane
Welcome to Improve Your Handwriting with Susie Deane Over the course of eight lessons, we will diagnose your current handwriting and where you might want to improve. We will be looking at your pen hold and posture, as well as what to write with, the shapes we make, plus the strokes that join letters. We’ll aim for a
How to Dance with Oliver Broadbent
Welcome to How to Dance with Oliver Broadbent The aim of this six-session course is to get you dancing. It is based on the lessons that I have been giving at the Idler Academy for over ten years, sometimes on my own and sometimes with my wonderful friends in the Mudflappers. If you’ve seen us
The Life and Works of Charles Dickens with Henry Eliot, Series Three
Welcome to The Life and Works of Charles Dickens with Henry Eliot, Series Three: Dark Genius Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
The Idler Guide to Rhetoric in the 21st Century with John-Paul Flintoff
Learn the art and science of persuasive speech in this six-part course with writer John-Paul Flintoff
The Life and Work of Tolstoy with A.N. Wilson
Learn about the life and work of Tolstoy in this six-part course with biographer and historian A.N. Wilson
Playing Shop with Cath Kidston
Follow businesswoman Cath Kidston from her early beginners to new endeavours in this six-part course
The Miracle of Ancient Greece with Harry Mount
Welcome to The Miracle of Ancient Greece with Harry Mount Follow the “Course Guide” to find out how to use an Idler Academy course.
The History of the English Garden with Tim Richardson
Join acclaimed garden historian Tim Richardson for this immersive exploration of the English garden’s rich, evolving and surprisingly political history.
Guitar for Beginners with Ed Hopwood
Learn to play your favourite songs on the guitar in this five-week course with Ed Hopwood
Nurturing Body and Soul with Rachel Kelly: How to Cope with Six of Life’s Biggest Challenges
From managing anxiety to resolving conflict, supporting an anxious child to coping with bereavement, this course addresses six of life’s biggest challenges and gives tools for navigating them.
How the Stoics Can Help You Get Happy with Tom Hodgkinson
Welcome to How the Stoics Can Help You Get Happy with Tom Hodgkinson. Over six Lessons, Idler editor Tom will teach you how to apply Stoic wisdom to your outlook on life. Drawing on the ideas of ancient Greek philosophers from Zeno to Socrates and Plato, and touching on themes of politics, love, freedom and death,
Consider the Trees with Colin Tudge
Immerse yourself in the science and poetry of trees with biologist Colin Tudge
How to Write with John-Paul Flintoff
Uncover your voice as a writer in this practical online course with John-Paul Flintoff