What makes us a great choice for education
Monkton Wyld Court is one of the very few houses designed by Richard Cromwell Carpenter - the great hope of early Victorian Gothic architecture who died in his early forties in 1855. Inspired by his exact contemporary Augustus Pugin, the prophet of the Gothic Revival in England, Carpenter designed many fine churches during his short working life. His interpretation of the English Gothic style was personal and perhaps even slightly eccentric, but always original and creative, and altogether lacks the heaviness of later Victorian architecture. Possibly his most famous work is the quadrangle he designed at Lancing College, which was continued after his death by his son.
Initially built as a rectory, the house became a socialite hotel in the 1920's for London Bohemians.
In 1940, pioneering educators Carl and Eleanor Urban established a co-educational boarding school here to promote cooperative living and learning.
Although the original Monkton Wyld School closed in 1982, the importance of education, practical skills, farming, and a focus on low impact living and sustainability are still central to our ethos.
Monkton Wyld Court is now an educational charity that provides courses in sustainable living and related subjects such as eco-building, green technologies, sustainable land use, and environmental arts and crafts.
The Court is run and maintained on a day-to-day basis by a busy residential workers cooperative, reinforced by an ever-changing stream of short-term volunteers, many of whom are from abroad.
The overall responsibility of the Court is overseen by a board of Trustees.
We are located in the hamlet of Monkton Wyld, amidst the rolling hills of Dorset and within walking distance of the stunning Jurassic coast.
The communal areas offer period features and wonderful panoramic views of the countryside, and are heated by wood-burning stoves.
There is a hall with a stage and sprung dance floor, a beautiful sitting room with a grand piano, an outdoor area with a fire-pit, a kitchen and classroom, a small fully-licensed pub, and a shop selling chocolate, wine, postcards, natural toiletries, and other essentials.
Our eclectic and well-stocked library is also available for groups to use.
Our grounds include terraced lawns, a small wood, an orchard, fields leading down to a stream, and an inspiring Victorian walled vegetable garden.
Our water comes from our own wells and our waste water is processed through our wetland filtration system.
We also use as much solar energy as possible.
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Monkton Wyld Court, Elsdon's Lane, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6DQ
MONTHS OPEN
DAYS OPEN
AGE GROUPS SERVED
