The Idler Academy
of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment
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 The Idler | Anna Keay on The Restless Republic
16 Nov 2023 | Online event
Join A Drink with the Idler for an online discussion with historian Anna Keay… Read more
A Drink with The Idler | Cory Doctorow on How to Smash Big Tech
12 Oct 2023 | Online event
Join A Drink with the Idler for an online discussion with Cory Doctorow on… Read more
A Drink with The Idler | Emma Southon on the History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women
30 Nov 2023 | Online event
Join A Drink with the Idler for an online discussion with Emma Southon on… Read more
A Drink with The Idler | Georgia Mann on Why Classical Music is Good for the Soul
23 Nov 2023 | Online event
Join A Drink with the Idler for an online discussion with Radio 3 DJ… Read more
A Drink with The Idler | Griff Rhys Jones
19 Oct 2023 | Online event
Join A Drink with the Idler for a chat with Griff Rhys Jones
Come and… Read moreA Drink with The Idler | Guy Standing on How to Take Back Our Time
5 Oct 2023 | Online event
Join A Drink with the Idler for a discussion with Guy Standing on a… Read more
A Drink with The Idler | Louise Winter on Life. Death. Whatever.
26 Oct 2023 | Online event
Join A Drink with the Idler for an online discussion with Louise Winter on… Read more
A Drink with The Idler | Rupert Sheldrake on Ways of Being Spiritual
9 Nov 2023 | Online event
Join A Drink with the Idler for a chat with Rupert Sheldrake
Never before in… Read moreA 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
An Introduction to Borges with Henry Eliot
Literature
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 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…. Read more
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… 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
Consider the Trees with Colin Tudge
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Immerse yourself in the science and poetry of trees with biologist Colin Tudge… Read more
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… Read more
Digital Academy Membership
Subscription
The Idler’s Digital Academy membership gives unlimited access to 60+ online courses, plus Idler magazine in digital form, website access, back issue archive, audio and video channels…. Read more
Guitar for Beginners with Ed Hopwood
Music
Learn to play your favourite songs on the guitar in our new online course with Ed Hopwood … 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
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
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
Being Well
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 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
Being Well
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
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…. 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
English Language
Find your voice as a writer in this practical and inspiring online course with John-Paul Flintoff… Read more
How to Write Your Life Story with Simon Petherick
Literature
How to Write Your Life Story with Simon Petherick
Join tutor Simon Petherick for the… Read moreIdler Academy Team Subscription
Subscription
This is the Idler Academy membership for corporations, libraries and teams…. Read more
Idler Christmas Party 2022
12 Dec 2022 | Event
Join Idler performers and contributors for the Idler Christmas Party on Monday 12 December… Read more
Idler Festival 2024: Early Bird Tickets
5 Jul 2024 | Event
5-7 July 2024 – Join us for our dream garden party at Fenton House in Hampstead… 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
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. … Read more
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…. Read more
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…. Read more
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…. Read more
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’… Read more
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’… Read more
Meet the Tutor: Simon Petherick
Event
Meet How To Write Your Life Story tutor Simon Petherick for an exclusive live Q&A… Read more
Online Latin Course Bundle
Literature
Start learning Latin today with the Idler Academy’s complete Online Latin Course Bundle…. 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 Romantic period…. Read more
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…. 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
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
Learn to harness the power of Good Mood Food with seven delicious and nutritious recipes…. 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
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…. 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 Investment with Edward Chancellor
Online course
The Idler Guide to Investment with Edward Chancellor
Join Edward Chancellor, renowned investment strategist and… Read moreThe Idler Guide to Jazz with Sandy Burnett
Music
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 Guide to Paradise Lost with Anna Beer
Literature
The Idler Guide to Paradise Lost with Anna Beer
Of all the major English poets,… Read moreThe 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 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.… 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
Thirty Years Party
6 Dec 2023 | Event
We’re holding a party to celebrate thirty years of the Idler.
The party takes place… 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
William Blake in 42 Images with Mark Vernon
Literature
William Blake in 42 Images: The Life and Lessons of an English Visionary, with… 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
The Idle Beekeeping Day
7 Oct 2023 | Event
How to get started in beekeeping the idle way: a day course set in an English country garden… Read more
The Idle Beekeeping Day
12 May 2024 | Event
How to get started in beekeeping the idle way: a day course set in an English country garden… Read more
The Idler Spring Retreat 2024
15 Apr 2024 | Retreat
27 April – 3 May – Retreat to Umbria with Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson, philosopher Mark Vernon, poet Murray Lachlan Young 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
A Guide to Modern Manners with Mary Killen
Being Well
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
Being Well
A four part course from Gustav Temple of The Chap magazine, which outlines the principles and practice of proper dressing for men…. 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
Online Philosophy Course Bundle
Online course
WE have put together this fantastic bundle of our four online philosophy courses. Buy… 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
Arts, Crafts & Husbandry
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
