Step into a fascinating exploration of the last two thousand years of urban life and discover why new towns were built, where they emerged, and how they reshaped society.
This engaging course focuses in particular on the 19th and 20th centuries, uncovering the powerful forces behind new town development—from poverty, war, and housing shortages to politics, industrial philanthropy, and bold hopes for a better way of living.
Led by Social Historian Alan Lascelles, this course brings these ideas to life through key thinkers and movements, including the influential work of Ebenezer Howard, whose vision for planned communities is explored through his landmark book Garden Cities of To-morrow. The journey doesn’t stop in the past: you’ll also examine contemporary thinking on new town development and today’s often-heated debates around the green belt.
Thought-provoking, accessible, and rich in insight, this course is perfect for anyone curious about how history, ideas, and ambition have shaped the places we call home—and what that might mean for the towns of the future.
Our home for the day will be the wonderful Holbrook Manor, a graceful Georgian house set in the peaceful Somerset countryside near Wincanton. Effortlessly combining heritage, comfort, and tranquillity, you’ll immediately feel at home. With a 2-course lunch included and refreshments at breaktimes prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, we’ve certainly got your appetite for both delicious food and learning covered!
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Alan Lascelles brings a wealth of experience from careers in local government planning, business advisory roles, and higher education, underpinned by academic study in social science, environment, policy, and society. Now a U3A group leader in social history and human geography, he continues to share his expertise through teaching and an e-journal on social affairs, history, and politics across the South West.
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Nestled in the Somerset countryside near Wincanton, Holbrook Manor is a charming Georgian house offering comfort, calm, and character — ideal for residential courses and retreats. With its elegant rooms and home-cooked meals, it’s the perfect place to learn, relax, and recharge.
The venue has plenty of free parking and the course rooms are all accessible.
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Pen & paper if you wish to take notes, and an open mind!
