With learning holidays a major trend in travel this year, we’ve been taking a look at where you can learn new skills without going too far from home. A recent survey suggested that seven in 10 millennials would pay up to 50% more for a holiday involving self-improvement, with demand for fitness, wellness and creative skills high on the list. From action-based activities to cooking, painting or horticulture, the Channel Islands and UK offer a wide range of courses where you can come back from your break with new skills to show for it.
Dive in Jersey
If you’ve ever wanted to learn to dive, there’s no need to travel to the tropics for a fascinating underwater experience. There is plenty to see off the coast of the Channel Islands, and experts on hand to teach you. Bouley Bay Dive Centre in Jersey offers PADI qualifications, which are recognised around the world. Their courses range from those for complete beginners and children to speciality and divemaster options.
Courses run regularly throughout the year and you can find out more at www.scubadivingjersey.com
Sail in Guernsey
The Guernsey Sailing Trust offers a wide range of courses on the water for those who want to learn to sail, whether children or adults. Adult sailing courses take place in either dinghies or keelboats from March through to December. Participants work towards their RYA Sailing Levels 1-3 during the courses. The Trust also offers try-out sessions to see whether you enjoy the experience.
A level one beginner’s keelboat course is taking place on the weekend of 18 and 19 April but the Guernsey Sailing Trust say they will often arrange adult sailing courses on demand. Find out more at www.sailingtrust.org.gg
Garden in Herm
Herm’s gardens are award-winning, so it’s the ideal place to enjoy an educational horticultural break. This June the island is hosting a ‘Garden Getaway’, which includes presentations and interactive workshops from Herm’s gardening team and special guest, horticultural expert, Malcolm Cleal. The schedule includes foraging for edible produce and tours of the gardens along with talks and presentations.
The ‘Garden Getaway’ is taking place from Sunday 28 to Tuesday 30 June and includes accommodation and meals at the White House Hotel. Find out more at www.herm.com
Create in Sark
Sark’s creative community has come together to form ‘Creative Sark’, which is hosting arts and crafts events in the island this year. In June, they are planning to run a packed and vibrant week of workshops, featuring artisans from Sark, the other Channel Islands, the UK and further afield. From beer tasting at Sark Brewery, to needle felting and textile crafts with the UK’s renowned tapestry artist Hilary Charlesworth, to inkle weaving with Jersey craftswoman Pat Clarke, Creative Sark 2020 is due to have something for everyone.
Creative Sark 2020 will run from 6 to 23 June. Find more information at www.creativesark.info
Cook in Southampton
Just a 30-minute drive from Southampton Airport, the five star Chewton Glen hotel is also home to renowned cookery school, The Kitchen, which is overseen by TV chef James Martin. There is a huge variety of courses on offer, with day courses running from 9.30am to 3.30pm and including refreshments, lunch, all equipment and ingredients. Enjoy a stroll through the beautiful grounds while you’re there along with receiving expert tuition in everything from Asian-inspired cooking to seafood or baking.
A full list of courses and prices is available at www.chewtonglen.com/the-kitchen
Paint in London
If you look back fondly at school art classes and would love to pick up a paintbrush again, then prestigious London art school, Central St Martins, has the course for you. Its week-long beginners painting course is designed for complete novices as well as those looking to reinvigorate their existing skills. A combination of practical exercises and short lectures is designed to leave students able to express their creativity with confidence before bringing together their newly acquired skills to create a completed painting on canvas by the end of the week.
Courses run from Monday to Friday at various dates throughout the year. Find out more at www.arts.ac.uk
Surf in Bristol
Situated around 20 miles from the closest beach, Bristol wouldn’t have been the first place to spring to mind when it came to surfing lessons. But the recent opening of ‘The Wave’ has changed all that. The man-made 180m long surfing lake delivers an inland surf experience suitable from everyone from beginner to seasoned professional. There’s no waiting for the ideal surf conditions here – their Wavegarden technology can generate up to 1,000 quality waves per hour, ranging from 50cm (1.7ft) to almost 2m (6.5ft) in height. With numbers limited to ensure plenty of space for everyone, along with expert tuition, it’s the perfect place to find your feet on a board.
Find out more, including prices and how to book at www.thewave.com
Ski in Manchester
You don’t have to go to the mountains to learn to ski; in Manchester you can try out snowsports all year round at Chill Factore. The UK’s longest real snow slope offers skiing, snowboarding and sledging for taster sessions or longer blocks of lessons. If you’ve booked a ski trip and want to learn the basic skills beforehand, or want to try out snowsports before committing to a full holiday, then indoor skiing could be the answer. Ski or snowboard beginner lessons include six hours of tuition that can be taken over one, two or three days to make sure you learn at a pace that suits you.
Location and pricing information can be found at www.chillfactore.com
