The Idler Academy
of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment
How the Stoics Can Help You Get Happy with Tom Hodgkinson
Welcome to How the Stoics Can Help You Get Happy. Over six lessons, Idler editor
Nurturing Body and Soul with Rachel Kelly: How to Cope with Six of Life’s Biggest Challenges
Welcome to Nurturing Body and Soul. Led by Rachel Kelly, an acclaimed writer on mental
The History of the English Garden with Tim Richardson
Join art critic and garden historian Tim Richardson for his illustrated tour of the English garden and discover the art and politics that have influenced its evolving style over four centuries.
Playing Shop with Cath Kidston
Learn about Cath Kidston's business journey in this six-part course
Showing all 81 results
A Brief Introduction to Anarchism with Tom Hodgkinson
Online course
A spirited romp through two and half millennia of anarchic thinking
A History of British Buildings with Harry Mount
31 Jan 2021 | History
Confused about your Dorics and your Ionics? Can’t tell your Perpendicular Gothic from your Decorated? Harry Mount’s history of British Buildings guides you, effortlessly and amusingly, through a thousand years of architecture, from Anglo-Saxon churches in Wiltshire to modernist villas in Hampstead.
A History of Christianity in Eleven Short Chapters with Dr Mark Vernon
History
Journey through the history of Christianity with Dr Mark Vernon, from Paul through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, right up to mass Christianity in the modern day.
A History of London with Dr Matthew Green
History
Join historian and broadcaster Dr Matthew Green on an historical joyride through 800 years of London’s history, from the Middle Ages to the Blitz, which will bring the Unreal City to life like never before.
An Introduction to Borges with Henry Eliot
Literature
Join Henry Eliot for this introductory guide to the life and work of Jorge Luis Borges.
An Introduction to Calligraphy with Susie Deane
Arts & Crafts
Try your hand at calligraphy with an expert teacher.
An Introduction to Italian Literature with Henry Eliot
Literature
Pull up a chair, raise a negroni and join author and editor Henry Eliot on a sun-drenched tour of the very best of Italian literature.
An Introduction to Medieval English Literature with Henry Eliot
Literature
An engaging guide to the best English literature of the Middle Ages, from Beowulf to the Canterbury Tales
An Introduction to Plato’s Dialogues with Mark Vernon and Tom Hodgkinson
Online course
Tom Hodgkinson and Plato expert Dr Mark Vernon explore Plato’s six key dialogues and discuss the life of his raw material – Socrates.
An Introduction to the History of Wine with Anne McHale MW
Cookery
What did wine taste like in Ancient Rome? And how did Madeira acquire its distinctive style? Anne McHale MW on this fascinating journey through the history of wine.
Business for Bohemians with Tom Hodgkinson
Business
What is your ideal way of living? Do you want to make money and still live well? Perhaps you can! Discover how to be a bohemian in business with Tom Hodgkinson.
Christmas Calligraphy with Susie Deane
Arts & Crafts
Susie Deane’s Christmas Calligraphy provides original ideas for Christmas card designs, gift tags, table
Consider the Trees with Colin Tudge
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Immerse yourself in the science and poetry of trees with biologist Colin Tudge
Dante’s Divine Comedy in 100 Images with Mark Vernon
Literature
Join Mark Vernon on a richly illustrated journey through hell, purgatory and paradise to mark the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death
Forgotten History of Britain with Matthew Green
History
Forgotten History of Britain with Matthew Green
Experience the forgotten history of Britain on this
Guitar for Beginners with Ed Hopwood
Music
Learn to play your favourite songs on the guitar in our new online course with Ed Hopwood
Harmonica for Beginners with Ed Hopwood
Music
Learn how to play the harmonica in our twelve part course, which covers everything from breathing patterns and hand position to learning by ear and classic blues riffs.
How the Stoics Can Help You Get Happy with Tom Hodgkinson
Being Well
Welcome to How the Stoics Can Help You Get Happy. Over six lessons, Idler editor
How to be an Anarchist with Ruth Kinna
Online course
How to be an Anarchist with Ruth Kinna
At the turn of the millennium, David
How to Build Your Own Utopia with David Bramwell
Online course
Journey through the history of Utopia, visit some of the most fascinating utopian experiments of the modern age, from Christiania to Damanhur, and learn how you can bring utopian thinking into your everyday life.
How to Cook Ghanaian with Zoe Adjonyoh
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Learn to cook Zoe’s easy and delicious signature recipes, using typical West African ingredients and techniques.
How to Cope with Grief with Julia Samuel
Being Well
Psychotherapist Julia Samuel offers advice for coping with grief and supporting others who have been bereaved.
How to Fix the Future with Andrew Keen and Tom Hodgkinson
Online course
Taking back the power from the digital overlords
How to Make Sourdough Bread with Bridget Hugo
11 May 2020 | Cookery
The Ultimate Guide to Slow Baking with Franco Manca Co-Founder Bridget Hugo.
How to Meditate with Sister Jayanti
Being Well
An introduction to Raja Yoga with renowned spiritual leader
How to Read the Tarot with Daisy Waugh
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Join novelist and Tarot reader Daisy Waugh for an introductory guide to reading the mystical deck.
How to write a poem with Clare Pollard
English Language
In How To Write a Poem with Clare Pollard you will learn the tools and techniques to start writing your own poetry. This six-part online course explores the style, structure and history of classic poetic forms, from ballads to sonnets.
How to Write a Song with Chris Difford
Music
Award-winning lyricist Chris Difford of Squeeze teaches the art of songwriting in this interactive course, which promises to unleash your creative potential.
How to Write with John-Paul Flintoff
English Language
Find your voice as a writer in this practical and inspiring online course with John-Paul Flintoff
How to Write Your Life Story with Simon Petherick
English Language
How to Write Your Life Story with Simon Petherick
Join tutor Simon Petherick for theImprove Your Handwriting with Susie Deane
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Improve Your Handwriting with Susie Deane
Over the course of eight lessons, we will diagnose your
Intermediate Harmonica with Ed Hopwood
Music
Learn to play the blues with harmonica virtuoso Ed Hopwood
Introduction to Psychotherapy with Dr Mark Vernon
Being Well
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about Freud, Jung and Melanie Klein, but were afraid to ask, now is your chance.
Learn Latin with Harry Mount Part One
Classical Studies
In Part One of “Learn Latin with Harry Mount”, you’ll be guided wittily through the first steps of learning Latin.
Learn Latin with Harry Mount Part Three
Classical Studies
In Part Three of “Learn Latin with Harry Mount”, you’ll use your knowledge from Part One and Two to translate Latin prose and poetry from Horace, Tacitus and others.
Learn Latin with Harry Mount Part Two
Classical Studies
In Part Two of “Learn Latin with Harry Mount”, you’ll build on your knowledge from Part One to produce more complicated Latin sentences.
Nurturing Body and Soul with Rachel Kelly: How to Cope with Six of Life’s Biggest Challenges
Being Well
Welcome to Nurturing Body and Soul. Led by Rachel Kelly, an acclaimed writer on mental
Online Latin Course Bundle
Literature
Start learning Latin today with the Idler Academy’s complete Online Latin Course Bundle.
Playing Shop with Cath Kidston
Online course
Learn about Cath Kidston’s business journey in this six-part course
Release Your Inner Cartoonist with Harry Venning
Online course
Join cartoonist Harry Venning in this guide to comedy cartoons, from the blank page to nailing the punchline.
Romantic Philosophy with Dr Mark Vernon
Online course
Pyschotherapist Mark Vernon’s insightful introduction to the key thinkers, ideas and artists of the Romantic period.
Seaweed Foraging with Lucia Stuart
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Join experienced forager chef Lucia Stuart for an online course on how to collect, identify and cook with seaweed.
Self-Publish Your Book (beautifully) with Simon Petherick
Online course
Our guide to producing, marketing and selling a beautiful book
The Guide to Idle Beekeeping with Bill Anderson
Arts & Crafts
In The Guide to Idle Beekeeping online course urban bee-keeper Bill Anderson teaches you everything you need to know to get started in beekeeping, from catching a swarm to making mead. He teaches you a special technique for insulating hives, how to build your own hive, how to harvest honey and how to make delicious mead.
The Happy Kitchen: Good Mood Food with Rachel Kelly and Alice Mackintosh
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Learn to harness the power of Good Mood Food with seven delicious and nutritious recipes.
The History of the English Garden with Tim Richardson
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Join art critic and garden historian Tim Richardson for his illustrated tour of the English garden and discover the art and politics that have influenced its evolving style over four centuries.
The Idler Guide to British Folk with Will Hodgkinson
Online course
Music journalist Will Hodgkinson explores the history, myth and visionary character of British folk, from Cecil Sharp to Vashti Bunyan
The Idler Guide to Classical Civilisation with Harry Mount
Classical Studies
Discover the greatest civilisation of them all, as Harry Mount takes you through Homer and Virgil, through Greek and Roman architecture, sculpture, literature, philosophy, history, geography and the gods.
The Idler Guide to Imagination with Mark Vernon
Online course
A practical and passionate plea for an imaginative approach to life
The Idler Guide to Investment with Edward Chancellor
Online course
The Idler Guide to Investment with Edward Chancellor
Join Edward Chancellor, renowned investment strategist andThe Idler Guide to Jazz with Sandy Burnett
Music
Join musician Sandy Burnett for this introductory guide to the origins of jazz.
The Idler Guide to Negotiation with Hilary Gallo
Business
Learn the art of gentle negotiation with former corporate lawyer Hilary Gallo.
The Idler Guide to Paradise Lost with Anna Beer
Literature
The Idler Guide to Paradise Lost with Anna Beer
Of all the major English poets,The Idler Guide to Rhetoric in the 21st Century with John-Paul Flintoff
English Language
Learn to express your ideas with clarity and conviction in this six-part course with writer John-Paul Flintoff
The Idler Introduction to Bitcoin with Dominic Frisby
Online course
If you’re confused about Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain, then worry no more.
We have
The Life and Work of Tolstoy with A.N. Wilson
Literature
Learn about the life and work of Tolstoy in this six-part course with historian and biographer A.N. Wilson
The Life and Works of Charles Dickens, Series One: Young Celebrity
Online course
Henry Eliot describes the early career of Charles Dickens, his first literary adventures and his meteoric rise to celebrity
The Life and Works of Charles Dickens, Series Three: Dark Genius
Online course
Henry Eliot explores the great late masterpieces of Charles Dickens, describing how his personal relationships affected them
The Life and Works of Charles Dickens, Series Two: Social Critic
Online course
Henry Eliot presents the second act in the prodigious career of Charles Dickens: his novels, travels and attacks on Victorian society
The Miracle of Ancient Greece with Harry Mount
Online course
Architecture, tragedy, comedy, philosophy, and democracy all magically clicked into place in Ancient Athens. Harry Mount explains how it all came about.
The Seasonal Festivals of Britain with Ronald Hutton
Online course
A spirited journey through the history of seasonal festivals, from Christmas feasting to May Day revelry
Ukulele for Beginners with Danny Wootton
Music
Learn how to play the fabulous ukulele in our six part course with notes and songsheets
What Matters in Jane Austen with Professor John Mullan
Online course
Professor John Mullan shows us what matters in Jane Austen.
William Blake in 42 Images with Mark Vernon
Literature
William Blake in 42 Images: The Life and Lessons of an English Visionary, with
An Introduction to Classical Music with Sandy Burnett
Online course
A six part online introduction to the most beautiful music of the last thousand years
Worldwide Foraging with Roger Phillips
Online course
A guide to edible mushrooms, flowers, roots and more from the legendary godfather of foraging
A Guide to Modern Manners with Mary Killen
Being Well
Across four very entertaining and very useful lectures, Mary Killen of the Spectator magazine,
The Idler Guide to Growing Vegetables and Herbs with Alys Fowler
Online course
All you need to know about growing your own fruit and vegetables, the easy and organic way
How to Dress – A Guide for the Modern Gentleman with Gustav Temple
Being Well
A four part course from Gustav Temple of The Chap magazine, which outlines the principles and practice of proper dressing for men.
How to be Idle with Tom Hodgkinson
Online course
Learn the art of being idle and free in this six part course from Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson
Online Philosophy Course Bundle
Online course
WE have put together this fantastic bundle of our four online philosophy courses. Buy
An Introduction to Modern Philosophy
Online course
Learn about all the key philosophical movements of the last five hundred years, from Descartes to Jean-Paul Sartre.
Eminent Victorians with John Mitchinson
History
Learn about six great Victorians with QI’s John Mitchinson
An Introduction to Ancient Philosophy with Dr Mark Vernon
Online course
A six part course in the philosophies of the ancient Greeks from the pre-Socratics and Plato to the Cynics and Sceptics.
The Idler History of Cooking in Six Chapters with Rowley Leigh
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
The great chef Rowley Leigh traces man’s culinary evolution through six films with simple recipes
Beyond Mindfulness: Eastern Philosophy and Alan Watts with Tim Lott
Online course
A six part course which explores Buddhism and Eastern philosophy through the work of writer Alan Watts
Punctuation with Harry Mount
English
Everything you need to know about punctuation in one single masterclass.
