The Idler Academy
of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment
How to Write with John-Paul Flintoff
Find your voice as a writer in this practical and inspiring online course with John-Paul Flintoff
Dante’s Divine Comedy in 100 Images with Mark Vernon
Join Mark Vernon on a richly illustrated journey through hell, purgatory and paradise to mark the 700th anniversary of Dante's death
The Seasonal Festivals of Britain with Ronald Hutton
A spirited journey through the history of seasonal festivals, from Christmas feasting to May Day revelry
A History of London with Dr Matthew Green
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.
Showing all 91 results
A Brief Introduction to Anarchism with Tom Hodgkinson
Online course
A spirited romp through two and half millennia of anarchic thinking… Read more
A Drink with Arthur Smith
8 Jul 2021 | Online event
Join the Idler for a chat with comedian Arthur Smith, Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson and philosopher Mark Vernon with host Victoria Hull… Read more
A Drink with Frank Skinner
27 May 2021 | Online event
Join the Idler for a chat with comedian and author Frank Skinner, Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson and philosopher Mark Vernon with host Victoria Hull… Read more
A Drink with Hannah Dawson
1 Jul 2021 | Online event
Join the Idler for a chat with historian Hannah Dawson, Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson and philosopher Mark Vernon with host Victoria Hull… Read more
A Drink with Michael Pollan
15 Jul 2021 | Online event
Join the Idler for a chat with author Michael Pollan, Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson and philosopher Mark Vernon with host Victoria Hull… Read more
A Drink with Ruth Kinna
17 Jun 2021 | Online event
Join the Idler for a chat about anarchism with political theorist Ruth Kinna, Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson and philosopher Mark Vernon with host Victoria Hull… Read more
A Drink with Viv Groskop
24 Jun 2021 | Online event
Join the Idler for a chat with comedian Viv Groskop, Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson and philosopher Mark Vernon with host Victoria Hull… Read more
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…. Read more
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…. Read more
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…. Read more
Academy Membership
Subscription
Unlimited access to 50+ online courses, six issues of print magazine, digital edition, back issue archive, audio channel and free tote… Read more
Academy Membership (one year)
Members
Sign me up or gift a friend a one year Academy membership. I’ll pay by credit or debit card and get unlimited access to online courses for a year, plus print and digital editions…. Read more
An Introduction to Borges with Henry Eliot
Online course
Join Henry Eliot for this introductory guide to the life and work of Jorge Luis Borges…. Read more
An Introduction to Calligraphy with Susie Deane
Arts & Crafts
Try your hand at calligraphy with an expert teacher…. Read more
An Introduction to Medieval English Literature with Henry Eliot
Online course
An engaging guide to the best English literature of the Middle Ages, from Beowulf to the Canterbury Tales… Read more
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…. Read more
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…. Read more
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…. Read more
Christmas Calligraphy with Susie Deane
Arts & Crafts
Susie Deane’s Christmas Calligraphy provides original ideas for Christmas card designs, gift tags, table… Read more
Dante’s Divine Comedy in 100 Images with Mark Vernon
Online course
Join Mark Vernon on a richly illustrated journey through hell, purgatory and paradise to mark the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death… Read more
Digital Academy
Subscription
Unlimited access to 50+ online courses, plus Idler magazine in digital form, website access, back issue archive and audio channel… Read more
Digital Membership (one year)
Uncategorized
Get digital access for 12 months and pay by credit or debit card… Read more
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…. Read more
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…. Read more
How to Cook Ghanaian with Zoe Adjonyoh
Cookery
Learn to cook Zoe’s easy and delicious signature recipes, using typical West African ingredients and techniques…. Read more
How to Cope with Grief with Julia Samuel
Online course
Psychotherapist Julia Samuel offers advice for coping with grief and supporting others who have been bereaved…. Read more
How to Fix the Future with Andrew Keen and Tom Hodgkinson
Online course
Taking back the power from the digital overlords… Read more
How to Live and Eat like an Italian with Kamin Mohammadi
Online course
A guide to living life the Italian way, from gelato and coffee to wild swimming and proper posture…. Read more
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…. Read more
How to Meditate with Sister Jayanti
Online course
An introduction to Raja Yoga with renowned spiritual leader… Read more
How to Read the Tarot with Daisy Waugh
Online course
Join novelist and Tarot reader Daisy Waugh for an introductory guide to reading the mystical deck…. Read more
How to write a poem with Clare Pollard
Literature
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…. Read more
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…. Read more
How to Write with John-Paul Flintoff
12 May 2021 | Online course
Find your voice as a writer in this practical and inspiring online course with John-Paul Flintoff… Read more
Idler Academy Team Subscription
Subscription
This is the Idler Academy membership for corporations, libraries and teams…. Read more
Intermediate Harmonica with Ed Hopwood
Music
Learn to play the blues with harmonica virtuoso Ed Hopwood… Read more
Introduction to Psychotherapy with Dr Mark Vernon
Online course
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about Freud, Jung and Melanie Klein, but were afraid to ask, now is your chance. … Read more
Learn Latin with Harry Mount Part One
Online course
In Part One of “Learn Latin with Harry Mount”, you’ll be guided wittily through the first steps of learning Latin…. Read more
Learn Latin with Harry Mount Part Three
Online course
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…. Read more
Learn Latin with Harry Mount Part Two
Online course
In Part Two of “Learn Latin with Harry Mount”, you’ll build on your knowledge from Part One to produce more complicated Latin sentences…. Read more
Meet the Tutor: John-Paul Flintoff
15 Jun 2021 | Event
A Q&A session with author John-Paul Flintoff, exclusively for Academy Members and students on the online course, ‘How to Write’… Read more
Print Membership
Subscription
Sign me up to the recurring payment option annual subscription, and send me a FREE extra issue…. Read more
Print Membership (one year)
Uncategorized
Sign me up for a one year subscription. I'll get six issues and pay by credit or debit card… Read more
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…. Read more
Romantic Philosophy with Dr Mark Vernon
Online course
Pyschotherapist Mark Vernon’s insightful introduction to the key thinkers, ideas and artists of the period…. Read more
Self-Publish Your Book (beautifully) with Simon Petherick
Online course
Our guide to producing, marketing and selling a beautiful book… Read more
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…. Read more
The Happy Kitchen: Good Mood Food with Rachel Kelly and Alice Mackintosh
Cookery
Learn to harness the power of Good Mood Food with seven delicious and nutritious recipes…. Read more
The Idler Choir Spring Term 2020
Event
The Idler Choir is a life-affirming and spirit-lifting choir that meets on Monday during term time in West London…. Read more
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… Read more
The Idler Guide to Classical Civilisation with Harry Mount
History
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…. Read more
The Idler Guide to Imagination with Mark Vernon
Online course
A practical and passionate plea for an imaginative approach to life… Read more
The Idler Guide to Jazz with Sandy Burnett
Online course
Join musician Sandy Burnett for this introductory guide to the origins of jazz…. Read more
The Idler Guide to Negotiation with Hilary Gallo
Business
Learn the art of gentle negotiation with former corporate lawyer Hilary Gallo…. Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
The Science of Psychedelics with Dr Robin Carhart-Harris
Online course
Join Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris as he takes us on a trip through the science of psychedelics…. Read more
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… Read more
Ukulele for Beginners with Danny Wootton
Music
Learn how to play the fabulous ukulele in our six part course with notes and songsheets… Read more
What Matters in Jane Austen with Professor John Mullan
Online course
Professor John Mullan shows us what matters in Jane Austen…. Read more
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… Read more
Autumn Beekeeping Day with the Idle Beekeeper Bill Anderson
12 Sep 2021 | Event
12 September 2021 – How to get started in beekeeping the idle way. Country garden day course…. Read more
The Idle Beekeeping Day, with Bill Anderson and Nicola Reed
16 May 2021 | Event
How to get started in beekeeping the idle way: a country garden day course… Read more
THE IDLER PHILOSOPHY RETREAT
9 Oct 2021 | Retreat
9-16 October 2021 – Retreat to Umbria with Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson, philosopher Mark Vernon, writer and yoga teacher Kamin Mohammadi and Idler Academy director Victoria Hull…. Read more
Worldwide Foraging with Roger Phillips
Online course
A guide to edible mushrooms, flowers, roots and more from the legendary godfather of foraging… Read more
London: A Travel Guide Through Time, signed copy
Books
Step back in time and discover the sights, sounds and smells of London through the ages in this enthralling journey into the capital’s rich, teeming and occasionally hazardous past…. Read more
A Guide to Modern Manners with Mary Killen
Online course
Across four very entertaining and very useful lectures, Mary Killen of the Spectator magazine,… Read more
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… Read more
How to Dress – A Guide for the Modern Gentleman with Gustav Temple
Online course
A four part course from Gustav Temple of The Chap magazine, which outlines the principles and practice of proper dressing for men…. Read more
Ukulele Ensemble Autumn Term 2019
9 Oct 2019 | Event
9 Oct-4 Dec – Learn the ukulele with Danny Wootton and drummer Tom Fyfe… Read more
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… Read more
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…. Read more
Eminent Victorians with John Mitchinson
History
Learn about six great Victorians with QI’s John Mitchinson… Read more
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…. Read more
The Idler History of Cooking in Six Chapters with Rowley Leigh
Cookery
The great chef Rowley Leigh traces man’s culinary evolution through six films with simple recipes… Read more
Public Speaking with David Butter
Online course
A six part course in effective public speaking… Read more
How to Sing with Diana de Cabarrus
Music
Find your voice on our singing course for complete beginners… Read more
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… Read more
Punctuation with Harry Mount
English
Everything you need to know about punctuation in one single masterclass…. Read more
How to be Idle by Tom Hodgkinson
Books
From Tom Hodgkinson, editor of the Idler, comes How To Be Idle, an antidote… Read more
