Cambridge University Weekend Courses! Who wants to go?

Madingley Hall, University of Cambridge

Who knew that anyone could go to a weekend course at the University of Cambridge (yes, the one in England) and stay in a 16th century country house? Anyone at all. All year round. Let the daydreams begin!

Madingley Hall with gardens by Capability Brown

How does this sound?
Accommodation- With pleasant views over the woods, gardens and courtyard, the bedrooms are warm, welcoming and comfortably furnished.
Food and Drink- Our award winning chefs provide fresh, locally-sourced food of a quality that’s second to none, served in our elegant dining hall.
Gardens- Visitors are encouraged to explore our gardens, designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in 1756.

Stuart Room at Madingley Hall

Some of the courses that caught my eye were:

Thomas Hardy: poetic realist?
Survival and revival: the country house in the 20th century 
Victorian myth and medievalism: the later Pre-Raphaelites 
Tracing the origins of the British using genetics, linguistics and chroniclers 
In and out the workhouse: Victorian and Edwardian poverty issues 
Pride and Prejudice Part Deux: adapting and rewriting the classics 
Comedy on the 18th Century English stage 
The Sherlock Holmes phenomenon 

But there are so many more! Philosophy, Shakespeare, Languages, Ancient Civilizations, Classical music, History, Geology...I'll bet you will find something to appeal to your tastes.

Dining Hall at Madingley Hall

OK, it's not free. First you have to get yourself to England. Then there is the £350.00 fee but that includes tuition, two nights of accommodation and all meals from Friday night to Sunday lunch. Not bad when you consider that one night in a good London Hotel could set you back that amount. By the way, Madingley Hall is not right on the campus of Cambridge, but it is only about 4 miles away.

There is also a Literature Summer School at Cambridge where you can study 4 courses over a two week period. Personally, I kind of like the sound of the weekend courses. Combined with at least a 2 week trip around England of course! Well, at least I know what I am working towards now. Perhaps I should set aside a little cash each week for a "Cambridge Fund". Yes, I like the sound of that.