High Close

In one of the highlights of the Edward Carpenter Community year, we have exclusive use of this wonderful space in the Lake District to spend time with men who love men.

We expect it will be a week of socialising and relaxing as well as an opportunity to take part in a wide variety of activities run by members. We invite everyone to bring their enthusiasm, skill and ideas and a willingness to share them with others. There is usually something for everyone and - of course - nothing is compulsory.

In the past participants have offered workshops on dance, music, art, meditation, massage, or games and crafts to name just a few. And many people take advantage of the venue’s central position in the Lake District to go for substantial fell-walks or leisurely strolls in the beautiful countryside.

The extensive grounds and arboretum surrounding the venue are lovely places to enjoy on fine days. And the veranda around the building offers a covered space for socialising outside.

We plan to have base groups and/or heart circles for an hour each day before the evening meal. These provide an opportunity to share how we are feeling and to get to know a small number of participants really well.

We will round off the week with an informal soirée where we invite you to share a poem, a song or something else. But being an enthusiastic and supportive audience member is a valuable contribution to the success of the evening.  

We will also have an auction of items and services one evening during the week, which raises cash to fund bursaries for people not able to afford the fees to attend ECC events.  

We are above all a community of friends meeting together. Everyone who offers activities is a volunteer, and everything that happens on the week is dependent on our willingness to share. We invite everyone to join in this collaborative spirit.

Workshop facilitators will take reasonable care to create a safe environment. However, we are all responsible for our own safety. Please remember that activities such as a long fell walk, cold-water swimming, or stretching exercises as part of a movement class may have intrinsic risks. Please only do what you feel comfortable with.

WhatsApp Group

A WhatsApp group for travel arrangements and general communications will be set up from Saturday 2nd May.

Organisers

Your organisers this year are Peter Davey (bookings), Mike Glancy (accessibility & travel) and Huw Williams (general enquiries). 

Peter Davey:

ECC has been part of my life since attending my first gay men’s week in 1986. Back then we would describe our events as “a warm and supportive alternative to the commercial gay scene”, life changing for some and a good holiday for others. Over the years I have helped organise many events, some general like this High Close, others with themes like “Gay Spirituality” and “Beyond Barriers”. What stands out for me is the journey that we have taken together and the close and enduring friendships that we have made along the way. Which I suppose is another way of describing “creating community”. I am very happy to be part of this year’s organising team, and very pleased to be doing it with Mike and Huw.

Mike Glancy:

I have been attending ECC events regularly since 2021 when I went to High Close as a 'newcomer'. I will never forget that first event where I was made to feel so welcome and part of a community of like-minded men from day one. ECC has given me so much over the past five years and I am delighted to be able to join Peter and Huw in organising what will be a very welcome return to the Lake District for me. As it was the location for my first event High Close is very dear to me. It is a special venue and I hope to see some familiar faces there in August along with some newcomers.

Huw Williams:

I attended my first ECC event at Wasdale over New Year 2025 and, I suppose like most people, I had no idea what to expect. But spending time in the company of so many lovely men, most of whom I would never have met outwith ECC activities, was an extraordinary experience. I also have very fond memories of High Close last summer - including the morning swims in the tarn. The opportunity to give something back to the community, and the chance to work with Peter and Mike to put this event on, is something I am very much looking forward to. And I look forward to meeting you there too.

Essential Information

VENUE: Langdale Youth Hostel, High Close, Loughrigg, Ambleside LA22 9HJ
Website: www.yha.org.uk | A history of High Close

DATES: 18th – 25th August 2026

ARRIVAL: Please arrive after 5pm on 18th August. As the hostel is open to the public on the day prior to our arrival, cleaning and preparation for our group will take most of the afternoon so we ask any early arrivals not to enter the building until everything is ready.

DEPARTURE: We need to leave the hostel by 10.30am on 25th August.

PARTICIPANTS: There will be space for around fifty of us. We will hold a number of places for first time attenders on an ECC event until 31st May 2026. (Please be aware that when booking opens places are likely to go very quickly. There is usually a waiting list.)

ACCOMMODATION is in dormitories containing between 4 – 12 bunk beds. Our intention is, where possible, to use only the bottom bunks. There are no available single rooms.

FOOD: Breakfast, lunch and an evening meal are provided by the hostel. We will also supply some basic snacks such as biscuits, tea, instant coffee, and dairy milk. You’ll need to provide anything beyond those items. There is a members’ kitchen where food can be stored and prepared. It has two fridges as well as toasters, microwaves, hobs, and ovens which we may use. Food should be labelled with your name so as not to be confused with communal supplies.

NEAREST SHOPS: Chapel Stile 2 miles, Grasmere 2 miles, Ambleside 5 miles.

HEALTH: Please consider the welfare of everyone on the event and if you are unwell within 48 hours of the scheduled arrival please cancel your place to avoid spreading the infection. Please see ECC’s Covid update.

Travel

Travelling to and from the venue is the responsibility of participants. We will, however, help to co-ordinate transport such as taxi sharing from Windermere or lifts from further afield. Mike will help co-ordinate travel arrangements.

The nearest railway station is 9 miles away at Windermere. National Express buses also travel to Windermere. The nearest bus stop to the hostel is 2 miles away at Grasmere or 1 mile away at Elterwater Village. Buses for Grasmere and Elterwater can be caught from Windermere Railway Station.

There are plenty of taxis from Windermere and taxi sharing would make costs reasonable. The WhatsApp group is a good place to co-ordinate taxi sharing etc.

Accessibility

YHA Langdale is an old building which can make accessibility difficult. There is one bedroom available on the ground floor with an accessible bathroom, though we are aware that it presents difficulties for some users. Workshops, meals and socialising spaces are all on the ground floor which is accessible. Please contact Mike before booking if you have any concerns about the building or grounds and how this may affect your stay. We will work with you to resolve any concerns as best we can.

There is a limited number of taxis in the area that can accommodate wheelchairs. If you require one, please ensure you book it well in advance of your arrival and departure. 

Whilst we are a friendly and helpful group, we are not able to offer any form of individual personal care.