Hawkwood College

FOOD
Our kitchen team uses delicious, fresh, local, organic ingredients except in the few cases it proves impossible. This includes vegetables and herbs from the community farm on the estate and our own walled garden. Organic meat or fish and vegetarian options are available at the main meal which is followed by sumptuous desserts. Special diets are willingly catered for with advance notice. The informal dining room seats 60 people. Typical menus are Moroccan Lamb Tagine, Baked Salmon, Beef in Ale, or Roasts. Vegetarian options include Crispy Nut Roast, Spicy Vegetable Casserole or Stuffed Roast Vegetables. We'll leave the desserts as a surprise!

ACCOMMODATION
The College is situated in a gracious country house on an ancient site, which was rebuilt in 1848 in neo-gothic style. There are 51 beds in 14 Single, 14 Twin and 2 family or group bedrooms, each with a washbasin. Bathrooms and showers are shared, although one of the two ground floor rooms has en-suite accommodation. This room is generally reserved for people with mobility problems. The rooms are all individually decorated with a cosy, homely feel and can be found in the main house and in the converted stable block. Non-residential options are available, too.

GROUP ROOMS
Our six rooms offer flexibility including the Main Hall (seats 95); the Library (with open fireplace), Blue Room and Sitting Room (each hold 20-30); Studio One (seats 40 or can be used for movement or craft activities); and Studio Two (seats 20 and is ideal for gatherings needing extra privacy.) The facility is available for hire. Presentation equipment such as flip charts, CD player, slide projector, and overhead projector can be provided on request. Regular visitors include the National Trust, Social Services and the NHS, as well as a number of other organisations in the public and private sector.

SURROUNDINGS
Hawkwood is set in its own 42 acres high up in one of Stroud's Five Valleys with views over the Severn Vale. Surrounded by mature beech woods, the gardens include the walled garden, lawns, water features, a spring, massive trees and abundant flowers and shrubs. The award-winning ponds & wetlands system provides an ecological solution for wastewater treatment and has created new wildlife habitats, increasing biodiversity. Guests are free to roam, as long as they take responsibility for themselves with regard to gates and livestock. The setting is excellent for painters, ramblers, bird-watchers, garden-lovers and others who appreciate beautiful countryside.

ORIGINS of this unique centre for learning
Established in 1948, the original impulse of Hawkwood College was inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), a philosopher, educationalist and spiritual visionary who initiated a holistic basis for education. Sir George Trevelyan was also influential in the early days of the College. The list of subjects taught has broadened over the years and now Hawkwood offers a vibrant and varied programme of courses in creative exploration, some to certificate level. The college is an educational trust and registered charity. It is a member of the prestigious Adult Residential Colleges Association (ARCA)

COURSE PROGRAMME
The one-day, weekend or longer courses cover a wide range of subjects in the arts and crafts, music, creative writing, poetry, drama, storytelling, mythology, work and society, relationships, family, herbalism, meditation, retreats, personal development, spirituality and complementary health. We set a high standard of tuition and have developed fruitful relationships with the expert tutors who return annually and are part of the Hawkwood family. The programme is updated every year with new teachers and courses, ensuring freshness and topicality.

DEVELOPMENT
The Development Programme focuses on improvements to the College on every level. In 2007 our priority is a new wheelchair ramp and entrance/exit for the Main Hall. Concurrently we are working on an environmental audit, which includes assessing and re-directing our efforts towards even more efficient use of energy, recycling, ecological cleaning products, reducing or offsetting road and air miles, water harvesting, etc. The Development Programme is supported by grants, donations, special events, 50 : 50 Lucky Draw Club, volunteer time and surplus income.

COMMENTS

From participants:
"Beautiful, beautiful place, amazing food, lovely light-hearted humour around the place. Very accommodating and welcoming. Homely."
"The grounds are so special here - trees, water, woods. Perfect. It was a very special time."
"I felt that a great deal of healing happened during the day and I further attuned to the healing energy of the earth. Thank you for this gift."
"Thank you for a weekend of thought-provoking, challenging and valuable insights. I leave freshly inspired!"
"Hawkwood is a place away from it all which always adds and extra element to a weekend workshop."

Tutors:
"Once again Hawkwood's magic and place has impressed itself on me. However fraught, busy etc. before arriving here, once here I know why I load the car up twice each year to come here and make music. Thank you. It's a pleasure and a privilege to be here, and what a wonderful way to share the landscape and part of the earth."

"I would be grateful if you could pass on my gratitude to your staff
who so obviously worked hard behind the scenes to make our weekend
perfect."

" Thank you for a great weekend. The food was excellent, the rooms were
perfect, the weather was brilliant and the students had the time of
their lives. It couldn't have been better!"