Welcome to Braziers’ education and events page! Below you will find listings of our own organised courses and events where we can offer some concessions and reductions on room rates according to income, and also outside organised retreats and events including the regular festivals. Education is our main purpose and we believe in teaching by being and learning by doing – we aim to provide a wide variety of learning and teaching opportunities including at our wider community weekends which give a taste of community life and a wide range of topics.
Covid Precautions: Please do not attend any session if you have any Covid or flu symptoms. In the event of becoming unwell with covid symptoms during a course, we will assist you to isolate and return home. We are providing hand gel and undertaking extra sanitising and ventilation of shared facilities when possible.
Please read our guidelines for guests before booking a course or visiting Braziers. We are looking forward to welcoming you at last! You can find our refund policy here.
Sensory Online
On Zoom First Tuesday of each month from 7:30pm – 8:45 pm – Free
Join an online space considering Braziers’ place in the world today. In these uncertain times, Braziers Park intentional community is calling on the wider community to help us make more conscious and adaptive decisions. Click here for more info.
“Sensory” is the other half of the (multi-mental) social organism that forms the integrative process in development at Braziers. The integrative process is “change within continuity”. The first and last question Sensory asks is “what have we learnt and what do we want to change?” i.e. what could be done better or differently. If Sensory forms a consensus then it will make a recommendation to Executive (a decision-making meeting at Braziers), currently the other half of the social organism, for implementation. Executive may resist this but has a duty to protect and follow the recommendations of Sensory. Topics will be posted weekly.
If you are interested in joining this meeting, please email volunteers@braziers.org.uk for consideration.
June 2022
Elementary Festival
Thursday to Monday – £25 to £325
Come and immerse yourself in a magical world of music, movement and relaxation through live performance, workshops, sound journeys and healing sessions. Click here for more info.
Come and see a wide range of instruments from around the globe including Fujara, Tabla, Hang, Sitar, Cajon, African Drums, American Indian Flutes and Flamenco Guitar…oh, and just a little bit of Didgeridoo! Click here for more info & booking
July 2022
Braziers Experience Retreat
Running July 5th to 24th. £239 Camping, £459 Shared, £649 Single
A multiweek residential retreat for those interested in intentional community and holistic lifestyle. More Info.
Come and have an immersive holistic experience connecting with others and nature in a deeper way. There will be opportunities to:
Learn about trees, gardening & food growing
Practice healthy vegetarian/vegan cooking
Learn about sustainability and permaculture
Experience communal living, dining & co-management
Participate in “Sensory”, bonfire & other activities
Have time to relax, be in nature, & find purpose
Contribute to the UK’s oldest secular intentional community
Learn about peace activism & conflict resolution
Email courses@braziers.org.uk if you are interested. Prices start as low as £239 per person (all meals and accommodation included). Start date is flexible. More info HERE.
The UK Communities Conference 2022
Friday to Sunday
Come for an exploration of intentional community in Britain! This celebratory event includes chances to meet a range of communities and to discuss the value and practice of communal living. More Info.
Tickets will include all meals from Friday evening until Sunday lunchtime, plus free camping for those who wish to stay over at Braziers. There will be workshops, shared meals and opportunities for dancing and other activites! For more information and booking, please click here.
Kids Go Wild
Sunday 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
A monthly fun-filled Forest School session led by qualified Forest School leader Charlotte Alchin in 55 acres of meadows and woodland. Suitable for all ages and whatever the weather – dress accordingly, may get mucky! Varied activities outdoors in nature. Click here for more
One adult only may attend with each child or family group. Limited places. Book here.
Bushcraft: Natural Cordage
Sunday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
You’ll learn how our ancestors made invaluable strings for tying together their belongings, building camp furniture, and for fishing with. We’ll look at some examples of cords I’ve made and then try your hand at making your own. Click here for more
We’ll try making a withy – a cordage made from a twisted live tree branch and traditionally used by hedge layers.
Then we’ll look at quick bindings made from brambles and tree roots.
Finally we’ll learn the ‘reverse wrap’ method of twisting together plant fibres which can be used on such plants as nettle to make a strong cord.
A fun and relaxing way to connect with nature in the woods.
No prior knowledge needed – this is a fun and skill building session.
I recommend adults and ages 13+ due to dexterity required for some methods and some knife use. Under 18s require a supervising adult present who may attend free of charge if they don’t want to participate. £45 Book here.
Introduction to Permaculture
Saturday to Sunday £180
A wonderfully inspiring weekend in an idyllic location with Braziers Park community with a Saturday night bonfire & social. You will learn the Permaculture basics – the ethics, principles and design tools to get you started to re-imagine your life, your garden, farm, community or any project for sustainability, regeneration and abundance – it’s not just for gardening!
You will have the opportunity to put learning into practice and create your first permaculture design as well as see inspiring examples on film and in Braziers 50 acres of organic meadows, woodland and gardens. Participants will receive a Permaculture Association certificate on completion which is accepted towards the first 2 days of a full Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
Cost: £180 / £130 (concessions) including lunches and refreshments, To book,click here.
Accommodation and extra meals may be available at 3 tier rates according to income. Please email courses@braziers.org.uk to check availability of accommodation.
Tutors: Trish Whitham and Phil Pritchard
For queries or further info email: trish@braziers.org.uk
Introduction to Plant Identification
Saturday £50 (£25 concessions)
As we journey through a range of habitats around Braziers, including chalk downs, meadows, parkland and woodland, we will learn to identify some native species and to recognise common plant families.
We will look at plant morphology, different communities of plants and use our senses to engage with the diversity of the plant world.
Tutor Will Simpson works at Chelsea Physic garden. He has an MSc in Plant Diversity from the University of Reading and has studied the flora of the Chilterns for over 7 years. To book,click here.
August 2022
Supernormal Festival
Friday to Sunday
Independent and uncompromising, it champions multi-faceted, exploratory art and music from the underground, margins and fringes to impart inspiring and engaging encounters beyond the everyday and the expected. For more info click here
Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Meditation & Bodywork Retreat
Friday to Sunday £345
Immerse yourself in a weekend of Tai Chi & Chi Kung and experience a deepening and refining of your practice.
Click here for more info.
Throughout the weekend there will be the chance to practice and explore both Chen and Sun styles of Tai Chi, along with a variety of Qi Gong forms and Meditation techniques. There are opportunities to practice on sunny terraces, in screened gardens, by ponds, in orchards and woodlands. Teachings will be offered by Jeff Docherty and Mark Collins, along with the chance to receive Acupuncture, Shiatsu and Tuina treatments.
To book, click here.
Wider Community Weekend
Friday to Monday
A chance to be part of the Braziers community for a wonderful bank-holiday weekend of activities in good company. Click Here for More Info.
Come and find space for relaxation, fun and conversation in our beautiful house and grounds. Most activities are free to join and accommodation and meals are at our 3 tier rates based on income. Let us know if you have a session that you would like to offer for a this Wider Community Weekend. Email courses@braziers.org.uk for more information or to click here book. Limited places – all sessions need booking.
Kids Go Wild
Sunday 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
A monthly fun-filled Forest School session led by qualified Forest School leader Charlotte Alchin in 55 acres of meadows and woodland. Suitable for all ages and whatever the weather – dress accordingly, may get mucky! Varied activities outdoors in nature. Click here for more
One adult only may attend with each child or family group. Limited places. Book here Book here.
September 2022
Braziers International Film Festival
Friday to Sunday-Weekend and Day Tickets Available
Films, Workshops, Discussions, Bar, Meals, B&B and More!
Films are projected to audiences in a cinema-style environment, with screenings taking place inside a large, historic 17th-century barn adapted for public performances, in addition to in the Gothic manor house and in custom-built outdoor structures. Screenings are followed by group discussion and Q&A with attending film-makers, who will be invited to Braziers. Single day and full weekend tickets are available with or without meals and accommodation. Book Now .
Submissions here. More info on sessions and workshops coming soon here.
Kids Go Wild
Sunday 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
A monthly fun-filled Forest School session led by qualified Forest School leader Charlotte Alchin in 55 acres of meadows and woodland. Suitable for all ages and whatever the weather – dress accordingly, may get mucky! Varied activities outdoors in nature. Click here for more
One adult only may attend with each child or family group. Limited places. Book here Book here.
Jaime’s Body Mind Yoga
Friday to Sunday
We will explore a variety of yoga styles to include gentle yoga, restorative yin practices and a gong bath sound healing session. Also more energetic vinyasa style sessions. Something for everyone whilst having the freedom to stop , recharge and reconnect. Switch off, switch on is the mantra of the weekend. Enjoy a weekend in a beautiful setting with like-minded people. The perfect place for a yoga retreat. Please email jaimesbodymindyoga@gmail.com for full details and to secure your place. Places are limited and are first come first served. Click here to view Jaimes website.
October 2022
Autumn Herbals – The Seed Time Transitions
Saturday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm £150
Delve into the energy of autumn and witness the inner and outer shifts of the moment as the natural world starts to transmute its dance into the inward and hibernatory earth elements. Click here for more info.
Letting Go
Friday 4:30 pm to Sunday 5 pm – Starting at £225
A 3-day shamanic healing workshop with ceremony, enabling the breaking free of habits, behaviours and patterns. Click here for more info.
Kids Go Wild
Sunday 16:00 – 18:30
A monthly fun-filled Forest School session led by qualified Forest School leader Charlotte Alchin in 55 acres of meadows and woodland. Suitable for all ages and whatever the weather – dress accordingly, may get mucky! Varied activities outdoors in nature. Click here for more
The October session is going to run somewhat differently as we are running from 4-6:30 pm with a walk in the dark and bat focused time. Angela Mills who is a fairly local author is going to bring her long eared bat story book in to share with the families….should be great! One adult only may attend with each child or family group. Limited places. Book here Book here.
November 2022
Winter Herbals – Immune Tonics
Saturday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm £150
Spend a cosy winter weekend at Braziers preparing for the season of darkness by concocting healing herbal goodies to support the immune system. Click here for more info.
Death, the Great Journey
Residential Retreat – Friday 5 pm to Sunday 5 pm £299
A 3-day workshop for those who wish to explore the complexity and multifaceted aspects inherent to the processes of death and dying. Click here for more
Drawing on teachings from wisdom traditions and her own experiences of being with people transitioning through death, Elsa Stevenson will offer practical knowledge of what occurs during the process of dying. This entails an introduction to maps of meaning as well as the introduction to contemplative practices, a combination that provides a more integral understanding of the dying process. Such knowledge enriches our view of death as a wondrous journey and is an opportunity to better prepare us for our own departure as well as accompany a friend or relative in this process. Bookings opening soon. Email education@braziers.org.uk to get on the reservation list. Course price includes all meals and accommodation.
“Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.” – Rossiter Worthington Raymond
Kids Go Wild
Sunday 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
A monthly fun-filled Forest School session led by qualified Forest School leader Charlotte Alchin in 55 acres of meadows and woodland. Suitable for all ages and whatever the weather – dress accordingly, may get mucky! Varied activities outdoors in nature. Click here for more
One adult only may attend with each child or family group. Limited places. Book here Book here.
December 2022
Kids Go Wild
Sunday 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
A monthly fun-filled Forest School session led by qualified Forest School leader Charlotte Alchin in 55 acres of meadows and woodland. Suitable for all ages and whatever the weather – dress accordingly, may get mucky! Varied activities outdoors in nature. Click here for more
One adult only may attend with each child or family group. Limited places. Book here Book here.
Event Title Goes Here
Friday to Sunday
