WHAT’S ON
We have a year-round programme of artist residencies, immersive courses lasting three or five days and weekly classes.
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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.
Info for our immersive courses
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
DRAWING FOR POTTERS - KYRA CANE.
The capacity to comprehend the world we live in is a key aspect of all creative practice. Many people who work with clay are absorbed in ceramic related process and technique and their inclination to explore, investigate and establish a rich visual two dimensional language is neglected.
This course will equip you with a wide range of drawing skills and techniques to support and help you develop your own ceramic practice. It will enable you to clarify your priorities and consequently identify a range of source material that will sustain progress and support longer term aims.
PAINTING- DAVID MANKIN Remembering in Paint - Abstract Landscape Painting in Acrylic + Mixed Media - SOLD OUT.
Join David on an exciting 5 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.
PAINTING - KATE TRAFELI Intuitive Abstract Painting in Acrylic + Mixed Media - SOLD OUT.
An experimental intuitive painting course working with acrylics and mixed media, this course is suitable for painters of all abilities. It will be particularly useful if you have some painting experience and want to experiment with abstraction and how you use colour, or if you have a more experience but you want to free up from your current style and spend some time experimenting with a different approach.
PAINTING - TESSA PEARSON - Big Bold Watercolour Flowers.
A wonderful workshop of colour and flowers- from classic watercolour studies to bold expressive paintings…
Tessa will guide you through watercolour techniques, colour mixing and brush skills to capture the many forms and textures of flowers in a series of classic studies and will share her process to create larger more abstract floral watercolour paintings.
PAINTING - ROSIE HARBOTTLE Natures Patterns - SOLD OUT.
This 5 day course will begin by drawing from a still life looking at colour and composition, drawing upon the plants and flowers that surround Coombe. Through a series of exercises, you will build on experimentation and observation before planning and painting a diptych on canvas, capturing the personality of your chosen flower(s). This course is ideal if you are looking to build on your colour theory and immerse yourself in the intimate world of flowers and the myriad of patterns and colours in the natural world.
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