A week to celebrate and explore the unique cultural heritage of the Quantock Hill and West Somerset, as a source of inspiration for the Romantic Poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. The programme combines guided walks – of the Coleridge Way, plus shorter routes of special relevance to the Romantics – with evening talks, lectures, performances, a visual arts exhibition and even a little folksy merry-making (Halsway is the National Centre for the Folk Arts, after all). Come and stay at Halsway for the full week, come as a day visitor, or drop in for evening events.

WalkingWith Ralph HoyteExplore on foot the places most associated with Coleridge, Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy during their halcyon year of 1797-1798. Your guide, neo-Romantic declamatory poet Ralph Hoyte, will illuminate these walks with thoughts on their lives, loves, works and inspirations.

With Roger ConwayAlternatively, walk the Coleridge Way over four days, with local guide Roger Conway. Explore the spectacular route through the Quantock Hills AONB and the fringes of Exmoor to the historical costal village of Porlock. Please let us know when booking which walking programme you are interested in. A reasonable level of fitness is required, and you’ll need to bring clothing and footwear suitable for walking in a variety of weathers! Car sharing will be necessary for some walks.

Arrive Monday from 4pm, for dinner at 6.30pm. Ralph’s programme ends after breakfast on Friday, but there is the option to join the final leg of the Coleridge Way if you so wish, or to take a packed lunch and explore the area on your own. For all comers, there’s the option to stay an extra night on Friday and enjoy Ralph’s epic declamation of “Christabel: Released”.Full board per person (including guided walks, evening events and activities, accommodation, meals – breakfast, packed-lunch, evening meal):£290 – single ensuite room£270 – sharing ensuite room£270 – single non-ensuite room£245 – shared non-ensuite room£205 – camping

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Halsway Manor, Crowcombe, SomersetMon 11 – Fri 15 Aug

In the footsteps of the Romantic Poets

01984 618274 | www.halswaymanor.org.uk

Enjoy – Explore – Learn

National Centre for the Folk Arts

Halsway Manor is a creative organisation that provides courses, events and activities for everyone interested in traditional music, dance, song, storytelling, folklore, arts and crafts.Located in the Quantock Hills – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the historic Manor has a Great Hall, a Victorian Ballroom, wood-panelled lounge/bar and folk library (housing a Nationally important collection of books and audio recordings), and six acres of lovely gardens and grounds – great spaces for workshops and relaxing!Our friendly staff ensure you are well looked-after, and our chefs provide tasty, home-cooked food (all diets catered for).

Company No: 849615 Charity No: 247230

01984 618274 | www.halswaymanor.org.uk

In Xanadu...ExhibitionMon 11 –Fri 15 AugGallery4ArtMembers of gallery for art have created a micro-exhibition of work, inspired by and celebrating the work of the Romantic Poets. Open throughout the week, including evenings.Admission free.

Poetry PerformanceFri 15 Aug 6.30pmRalph Hoyte: “Christabel Released”Ralph Hoyte declaims his epic completion of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s ‘Christabel’. A dark tale of demonic possession, the end of innocence, and the passing of the age of chivalry. Book for supper, or bring a picnic. £8 / £2 full-time students. Supper (please pre-book) £10.

Talk / FilmWed 13 Aug 8pmFrances Harrison: “The Sublime and the Beautiful” & “Somnia”An illustrated talk and short film presented by artist, art historian and storyteller Frances Harrison, inspired by Coleridge’s ‘Kubla Khan’. £5 / £2 full-time students

“a wonderful celebration of what we, so often, take for granted. You have reminded us to find time to stop and stare, to appreciate the beauty of words.”

With support from