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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Art and About: Walking Anglo-Saxon London

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. Meet Eleanor Cross, Charing Cross Station.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/06/2025 -
Wed 18/06/2025
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:
Q00019143
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

Art and About: Explore the Southbank as it gets Greener

Join us for a guided heritage walk as part of the WEA London Festival Art and About. Meeting at 11 AM on 19th June by the ticket barriers at Blackfriars Station (south side of the Thames), we’ll explore the Southbank—an area renowned for its vibrant culture and tourism. Once one of London’s most polluted neighbourhoods, Southbank has transformed into a beloved, tree-lined riverside destination visited by millions each year. Discover the area’s rich history, uncover the forces that shaped its evolution, and see firsthand how it became the cultural landmark it is today. The walk will conclude near Waterloo Station.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/06/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
11:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Blackfriars Station
Southside
Southside
London
SE1 9UD
Tutor:
Selina Rice
Course code:
Q00019132
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

Art and About: The Cato Street Conspiracy – A Walk

We will take a gentle stroll through a historic part of London focusing on the Cato Street Conspiracy of 1820. Starting at Edgware Road Underground Station and finishing at Grosvenor Square, we will take in the sites of the plot including the miraculously surviving hayloft in which the plotters met. We will consider the evidence for the plotter’s intentions and the many theories that have been advanced over the involvement of the government, the police and the military. We will consider the men involved and the political atmosphere, culture and setting in which they operated. Meet at Edgware Road Underground Station, Chapel St, London NW1 5DH

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/06/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Edgware Road Underground (London)
Chapel Street
London
NW1 5DH
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00019141
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

Art and About: Walking Radical London – The Strand & Fleet Street

This gentle walk down the Strand to Fleet Street from Charing Cross Station will concentrate on the sites the area’s radical past. From the meeting places of the London Corresponding Society, to the Chartists & their Six Point Charter, Sylvia Pankhurst’s Communist Party of Great Britain’s headquarters, radical booksellers and publishers – all will be pointed out. We will take regular pauses to look at some of the evidence for what was once a hotbed of radical and revolutionary politicking. We will discuss the contribution and achievement of these movements and individuals and ask what their legacy is. Meet at the Eleanor Cross, Charing Cross Station, London.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/06/2025 -
Fri 20/06/2025
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:
Q00019142
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Art and About: Explore the Hidden Gems of Lambeth

Join us for a guided walk as part of the WEA London Festival Art and About, uncovering the hidden gems of Lambeth. Meeting at 11 AM on 26th June at Lambeth North Station, this fascinating journey will take you beyond the well-known riverside to explore the streets and stories tucked just behind the Thames. Once marshland, this was the first part of the borough to be developed—what traces of its past remain? Who shaped its transformation? Discover the rich history and overlooked corners of Lambeth on this flat walk, which ends near Lambeth Bridge.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 26/06/2025 -
Thu 26/06/2025
Times:
11:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Criterion Theatre
218-223 Piccadilly
St. James's
London
London
W1J 9HR
Tutor:
Selina Rice
Course code:
Q00019131
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

History: 3 Remarkable Norfolk Women

This day school offers a unique exploration of local history by examining the lives and contributions of 3 remarkable women who left indelible marks on society, culture, and politics. From ancient warriors to a mystic and an influential writer, each woman represents a distinct era in British history, shedding light on the struggles, achievements, and societal changes of their times. Throughout the day, we will delve into the lives of these extraordinary women, analysing their impact on local and British society and their enduring legacies. By studying their stories, learners will gain a deeper understanding of key historical events, social movements, and cultural shifts that have shaped the fabric of Britain.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 05/07/2025 -
Sat 05/07/2025
Times:
10:30am - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (King's Lynn)
38 Bridge Street
King's Lynn
PE30 5AB
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00021985
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00



The courses below have already started, but are still available to book.

History: Famous Russian Women Shaping World History & Culture

This course will aim to explore the lives of some extraordinary Russian women and their contributions to World History and Culture through various mediums. The women mentioned is this course not only contributed heavily to Russian history and culture but also the world.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 23/04/2025 -
Wed 18/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
The Priory (Ware)
High Street
Ware
SG12 9AL
Tutor:
Marina Burrell
Course code:
Q00019079
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
In progress (In progress)
Fee range
Free to £80.00