WHAT’S ON
Artist residencies, immersive courses (three, four or five days) and weekly classes year-round.
This page covers our immersive courses, see weekly classes in navigation.
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We have onsite accommodation. You can book in as a resident and stay with us, or a ‘non-resident’ if you wish to stay elsewhere or if you live nearby.
More information here
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We have an onsite chef that will cater for you during the course, including any dietary requirements you have. We grow lots of our own herbs and vegetables, use local suppliers and keep chickens for fresh eggs. More info here
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Costs for all courses are listed with each course.
“The teaching was relaxed, informative and supportive but also encouraged you to develop and have confidence in your own style. It’s a quiet haven, a place to fully immerse yourself in being creative and relax completely.”
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: India Bourne
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
India Bourne is a classically trained musician, songwriter, vocal coach and long-time member of Ben Howard’s live band, where she’s toured the world singing, playing cello, bass and percussion with Ben. Alongside that work, she’s released her own music as Tender Central, blending electronica and folk in beautifully crafted songs that nod to the likes of Massive Attack, Lamb and Joni Mitchell.
She will be performing a special show nearby at Outside in January with her band Mickey Smith (A Blaze of Feather), Nathan Wason and Jem Fatna for an intimate show, weaving together cello, piano, drums, electric guitar and vocals.
She’ll be supported by The Big Skirts, a female a cappella choir who sing weekly in Ashburton, they sing a mix of arrangements of alternative pop, American folk, world music and originals by India.
Established in 2016, the choir started with only a handful of women but quickly grew into a tight-knit group of regulars who India says now feel like her extended family. She writes “We are sisters, mothers, daughters, artists, teachers, doctors, environmentalists, yoga teachers, seamstresses, actresses, chefs and much more",
India wil be joined for the mini residency at Coombe by the Big Skirts as they spend time together to relax and sing together in advance of their gig at Outside in the new year.
*INDIA BOURNE WITH BAND poster for the gig at Outside designed by Luke Baines, performances take place on 24th & 25th January 2026
Introduction to Pottery Weekend - Throwing & Handbuilding - SOLD OUT.
A three day course designed specifically for anyone wanting to work with clay for the first time. This course led by Coombe Director Lara Lloyd and you will have a chance to both handbill and throw on the wheel.
PAINTING - DAVID MANKIN Remembering in Paint - 3 day course, Abstract Landscape Painting in Acrylic + Mixed Media - SOLD OUT.
Join David on an exciting 3 day voyage through the expressive handling of paint and materials, mark making and collage.
He will guide you through the process of translating the shapes, textures, feelings and moods of the landscape in paint.
OIL PAINTING - MEREDITH OWEN - AN ESSENCE OF PLACE 3 day course.
This beautiful new course with Meredith Owen course offers you time to connect with the landscape through conversation, mark making and brush work techniques. Building on your confidence in colour theory with oil paints over three days.
CERAMICS - ANNA LAMBERT Platters and Place - painting and mark-making with slips.
This is a three day course with internationally recognised and celebrated professional potter Anna Lambert. Learn how to develop designs for simple slab built ceramic platters and tiles. You will discover ways to build complex and layered surfaces with tonal and coloured slips, using combinations of surface pattern techniques.
You'll start with the rolling of slabs for plates and test pieces. We will then spend time around Coombe Farm, drawing and gathering ideas for the workshop.
CERAMICS - GLAZING COURSE with Linda Bloomfield.
A practical hands on approach to making glazes and exploiting a myriad of special effects in glazes from Lava to Oil Spot, expertly tutored by the author of numerous books on Glazing - Linda Bloomfield.
During the course you will spend the first day making glaze tests, then the next day learning about glaze chemistry and analysing the results.
This course is ideally suited to anyone that has some experience of glazing pots and wants to deepen their understanding and do some experimentation.
FAQs
What is your cancellation policy?
A deposit of £150 is required at the time of booking, this is to secure your place on the course and is non-refundable and non transferrable unless we are cancelling the course in which case you will be refunded. The balance of course fees are required three weeks before your course starts. They are also non-refundable and non transferable, therefore we suggest you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered in the event that you are unable to attend your course. Download our full Terms & Conditions for courses here
Is there availability on the course I want?
SOLD OUT courses will be marked as 'Sold Out', and there will not be an option to ‘add to cart’ other courses will have availability.
I can only eat certain things, will this be a problem?
Not at all, when you book your place the booking form will ask you for our dietary and/or access requirements so just let us know and we’ll cater for you accordingly.
Can I bring my dog?
Coombe is home to chickens who supply our eggs, as well as wide variety of people, some of whom have canine allergies. Therefore we don’t support owners bringing their dogs with them/dogs on site. Our neighbours next door at Fingals do accept dogs therefore you have the option of booking with us as non resident and staying next door with your dog.
Do I have to have lots of experience?
No, all our courses are suitable for all abilities except where expressly described i.e. painting for beginners. The rest of the courses are suitable for all, from artists making a living from their work, to complete beginners and we welcome this mix.
What is the cost of a course?
Course prices range from £370 + VAT for a long-weekend to £815 + VAT for a 5-day residential course full board - see each specific course for exact prices.
Do you take waiting lists?
Yes, please email us to join a waiting list for a specific course or tutor or email us here.
How do I get from Totnes train station to Coombe?
Recommended taxi companies from Totnes are Badger Cabs or And Some Cabs. If you let us know when your train time we can see if others would like to share a taxi with you. Sometimes we are also able to pick you up depending on arrival times so do check with us. At the end of the course, we can give you a lift back to Totnes train station.
If I book as a resident, will I have to share a bedroom?
No all our rooms are for single occupancy unless you expressly wish to share a double room with a partner, in which case just let us know at the time of booking, for everyone else all rooms are for single occupancy.
How do I book on to a course?
Click onto the course for more information and online booking OR call us and we can either book you in over the phone or send you a booking form in the post 01803 722 352.
I’m not sure which course is best for me, can someone advise me?
Yes of course, give us a ring to discuss your interests and level of experience and we can advise you on different options and answer any other queries you may have 01803 722352.
Question not answered?
If your question isn’t answered here, please do get in contact with us