Delve into history

Explore the events of the past, and how they’ve shaped the world we live in today. Immerse yourself in different eras, marvel at historic achievements, and examine how different things could have been.  

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All of our courses are designed to help develop your skills in historical research and analysis, encouraging you to look beyond the surface of key historical moments. From the history of King Arthur to World War I and II, you’ll develop a better understanding of key historic customs, beliefs, and ways of life.   

Whether you consider yourself a history buff with decades of experience, or someone just starting out that wants to learn more, you can choose from a wide selection of topics.   

Attend a WEA history course near you  

A variety of our history courses are taught in-person or are delivered online - it all depends on what suits your needs best. From the comfort of your own home to a space in your local community. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is vastly experienced.   

The support you’ll receive on our history courses  

They'll help you develop an understanding that goes beyond just what's on the surface, all within a friendly and encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

It’s our learning experience that sets us apart too, with many of those attending our courses going on to achieve incredible things. You’ll learn at a pace that’s comfortable for you too, with a friendly supportive tutor on hand to answer any questions you might have. 

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History: Happy, healthy holidays on the Essex coast

This course is a trip into the past thinking about the heritage of holidays on the Essex coast. Covering topics such as family trips famous names in popular entertainment, the development of seaside resorts, highlights and heydays, decline and development, the course is an opportunity to reminisce and share memories with like-minded people as well as learning more about a little-known area of Essex history. Previous participation in an Essex seaside holiday is not compulsory and all students are welcomed to come and learn more about this little-known area of Essex history.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Billericay Reading Rooms (Billericay)
73 High Street
Billericay
CM12 9AS
Tutor:
Claire Parker
Course code:
Q00013751
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

History: Henry VI, Joan of Arc and the Origins of the Wars of the Roses

This course is an exploration of the period of history in England and France during the first half of the fifteenth century. The death of King Henry V in 1422 left a nine-month-old infant as King Henry VI of England. A few months later, the death of the King of France left that infant as King of France as too. The war with the French, the Hundred Years War, was ongoing, and since Agincourt, going England's way. The appearance of an illiterate peasant girl who believed God had chosen her to lead France to victory in its long-running war with England changed everything. Joan of Arc led the French to an overwhelming and unexpected victory and began the process whereby England would lose most of its continental possessions. These are the years of Henry VI and Joan of Arc, the precursor to the Wars of the Roses. No previous knowledge of fifteenth-century history is necessary. Everyone is welcome to join this fascinating course!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 17/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Michael Long
Course code:
Q00014315
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

History: JB Priestley's English journey through 1930's Britain

This course focuses on J.B. Priestley’s (1894-1984) journey around England in the 1930s, which was published as a book English Journey in 1934. At the time Priestley was a well-known novelist, playwright, screenwriter, social commentator and perhaps the most popular English writer of his day. Sponsored by his publisher Victor Gollancz and the Daily Mail , Priestley set out to travel the length and breadth of 1930s England from Southampton to the Black Country, the North East and Newcastle, Lincoln, Norfolk and Norwich. In doing so he revealed the condition of the English people, their society and their culture.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 10/07/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Pagham Village Hall (Bognor Regis)
Pagham Road
Pagham
Bognor Regis
PO21 4NS
Tutor:
Alan Simmonds
Course code:
Q00015015
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Art and About: A walk around Winchester Palace, Southwark cathedral & the Liberty of the Clink

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! We will take a gentle stroll around a historic part of London focusing on the remains of the Palace of the Bishops of Winchester and the environs of the Liberty of the Clink looking at documentary evidence as we go and speculating on what the architectural record can tell us. This part of South London has played an important part in history since the Middle Ages and we will trace its story in words, pictures and buildings. By the end of our walk and discussions we will have gained an understanding of the many changes and survivals in the area. Meet at Winchester Palace Information Board. Clink Street, Southwark, London. SE1 9DG

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 05/06/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Winchester Palace
Clink St.
Southwark
London
SE1 9DG
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00015133
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £15.00

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

History: King Arthur, the history and the myth

This course delves into the myths, legends, and historical theories surrounding Britain's beloved King Arthur, exploring his family, friends, and foes. It aims to distinguish between fact and fiction, recognizing the influence of biases in historical accounts and the speculative nature of much of the Arthurian narrative. Arthur's role as a tool for propaganda is examined, drawing on diverse sources including ancient writings, literature, fiction, and film, supplemented by a brief exploration of archaeology. Offering participants insight into the enduring appeal and manipulation of Arthurian legend throughout history.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 05/06/2024
Times:
11:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Forum (Norwich)
Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1TF
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00015243
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

History: Art and About: Architecture of the Queen’s House

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! As part of the Festival, come and discover the highlights of the architecture of Greenwich. Having been a royal place of residence for several centuries, this part of London is rich in history. In this field-trip, we will study the architecture of the Queen’s House, its interior and exterior designs making it a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture. We will then turn our attention to the Royal Naval College and St Alfege’s, prime examples of English classical architecture. Meeting point: in front of the Queen’s House, in Greenwich (Romney Rd, SE10 9NF)

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 06/06/2024 -
Thu 06/06/2024
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Queens House Greenwich
In front of the Queen’s House
Romney Rd
Greenwich
London
London
SE10 9NF
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00014327
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
Waiting list (Join waiting list)
Fee range
Free to £15.00

Care 2 Make a Nice Cup of Tea – The History of Tea and Tea Drinking

A course for carers, former carers and the cared for. Join me to find out about history of tea and tea drinking, we'll find out where we got our love of tea and the traditions that surround it. Tea has helped to shape our social traditions , support the rise of the British Empire and contributed to the mighty momentum of the industrial revolution

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 06/06/2024 -
Thu 06/06/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00014600
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

History: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt

This course will explore the evidence of the daily life of individuals and the elite in ancient Egypt. An exploration of work, play, education, games, birth, death, love and punishment.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 07/06/2024 -
Fri 07/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Ambrose Allen Centre (Tadley)
2 Franklin Avenue
Tadley
RG26 4ET
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00009165
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

History: Art and About: Walking Anglo-Saxon London

Part of the WEA Art and About Festival 2024! This is a walk around the former site of Lundenwic, the Anglo-Saxon settlement of London of the 8th and 9th Century. Nothing remains in terms of building but there is much to learn from the archaeological and documentary record. Using the record and the existing street plan and a lot of imagination we can begin to reconstruct something of what the settlement was like. The site of the former settlement encompasses Charing Cross, Covent Garden and the Strand and that will be the area of this very gentle and easy stroll. We will take frequent pauses to consider the evidence and consider the nature and legacy of this ancient settlement. We will meet at 10.30am at Eleanor Cross, Charing Cross Station, WC2N 5PH

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 07/06/2024 -
Fri 07/06/2024
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Place:Charing Cross Railway Stat
Charing Cross Station
Strand
London
WC2N 5HS
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00014850
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £15.00

Homeland to Hamas: A guide to a greater understanding of the Middle East conflict

For many people the events in the Middle East are horrifying, worrying and confusing. It can be difficult to navigate the often bewildering complexities of the conflict and its historical context. This course is for anyone interested in broadening their understanding of this troubled area. We will explore the claims to Palestine from both the Arab and Jewish perspectives, investigate the progression of the conflict from 1917 to 2011 covering the impact of both world wars, foreign involvement and the different wars and insurrections that have broken out over this period.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 10/06/2024 -
Mon 05/08/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Halliwell
Course code:
Q00014370
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £66.60