The Idler Academy
of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment
A Drink with the Idler | Simon Garfield on the History of the Pen
Join "A Drink with the Idler" as we interview author Simon Garfield about the intriguing history of the pen.
A Drink with the Idler | Carlo Rovelli on the Equality of All Things
Join "A Drink with the Idler" as we interview writer and theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli about the strangeness of reality through the lens of modern physics.
A Drink with the Idler | Joad Raymond Wren on The Uses of Utopia
Join "A Drink with the Idler" as we interview writer and historian Joad Raymond Wren about the utopias that have been dreamt up throughout history – and how we can apply them now.
A Drink with the Idler | Sarah Clegg on Perilous Enchantment
Join "A Drink with the Idler" as we interview author Sarah Clegg about the curious and real history of the creatures that have beguiled, tricked, terrified, seduced and enchanted us for millennia.
A Drink with the Idler | Thomas W. Laqueur on The Dog’s Gaze
Join "A Drink with the Idler" as we interview cultural historian Thomas W. Laqueur about the role dogs play in some of the greatest works of art.
A Drink with the Idler | Michael Pollan on Consciousness
Join "A Drink with the Idler" as we chat to Michael Pollan on the mysteries of thoughts, feelings, and our sense of self.
Showing all 23 results
A Drink with The Idler | Chris Floyd on What it Takes to Get Behind the Lens
23 May 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat with Chris Floyd on his
A Drink with The Idler | Chris Lintott on Our Accidental Universe
14 Mar 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat with astronomer Chris Lintott about
A Drink with The Idler | Ferdinand Mount on Big Caesars and Little Caesars
25 Jan 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” for a chat with Ferdinand Mount on how
A Drink with The Idler | Lyndsey Stonebridge on Hannah Arendt’s Lessons in Love and Disobedience
25 Apr 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat with professor Lyndsey Stonebridge about
A Drink with The Idler | Madeleine Pelling on 18th Century Britain told through its Graffiti
18 Apr 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we talk to Madeleine Pelling about how
A Drink with The Idler | Paul Theroux on George Orwell in Burma
11 Apr 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat with Paul Theroux about his
A Drink with The Idler | Phil Manzanera on Rock, Roll and Roxy
30 May 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” for a chat with Roxy Music guitarist Phil
A Drink with The Idler | Stephen Marche on Writing and Failure
18 Jan 2024 | Event
Join us for the first “Drink with the Idler” of 2024. We’ll be chatting
A Drink with The Idler | Tom Chatfield on How Technology Has Made Us What We Are.
16 May 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we talk to Tom Chatfield on how
A Drink with The Idler | Tricia Hersey on Rest is Resistance
21 Mar 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat with Tricia Hersey on freeing
A Drink with The Idler | Yasmin Ali on How Renewable Energy Works
9 May 2024 | Event
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat with Yasmin Ali about how
Idler Carcassonne Retreat SOLD OUT
29 Sep 2026 | Retreat
In an eco manor house nestled in ancient woodland learn about the Cathars, the love and song of the Troubadours, and local cuisine with special guest Rowley Leigh
Idler Christmas Party 2022
12 Dec 2022 | Event
Join Idler performers and contributors for the Idler Christmas Party on Monday 12 December
Idler Egyptian Retreat, November
16 Nov 2026 | Event
Join the Idler for a retreat to little travelled Middle Egypt as we explore the ancient Egyptian hermetic philosophy that has influenced Western thinkers from the Renaissance to today.
Meet the Tutor: Edward Chancellor
1 Jun 2022 | Event
A Q&A session with financial writer Edward Chancellor exclusively for Academy Members and students on the online course, ‘Idler Guide to Investment’
Meet the Tutor: Mark Vernon
2 Aug 2022 | Event
A Q&A session with writer Mark Vernon exclusively for Academy Members and students on the online course, ‘William Blake in 42 Images’
Meet the Tutor: Simon Petherick
Event
Meet How To Write Your Life Story tutor Simon Petherick for an exclusive live Q&A
Stoics Masterclass with Tom Hodgkinson
Event
Tom is giving a masterclass on Stoic philosophy at the Unherd Club on Old
The Idler Gardens of Florence Retreat SOLD OUT
7 Sep 2026 | Retreat
Retreat to Florence and Chianti with the Idler and discover some of Italy’s most important landscape gardens hidden in this magical city and the countryside of Chianti around it.
Thirty Years Party
6 Dec 2023 | Event
We’re holding a party to celebrate thirty years of the Idler.
The party takes place
Umbrian Harvest Retreat
31 Oct 2026 | Event
A celebration of the food and drink of Umbria with talks from our special guest, economist Guy Standing
Autumn Idle Beekeeping Day
11 Oct 2025 | Event
How to get started in beekeeping the idle way: a day course set in an English country garden
Ukulele Ensemble Autumn Term 2019
9 Oct 2019 | Event
9 Oct-4 Dec – Learn the ukulele with Danny Wootton and drummer Tom Fyfe
