High Close Autumn

This is an invitation to be part of a group of around 35 people who identify as Gay Men, gathering together this Autumn at a long-time favourite venue in the Lake District, High Close (Langdale Youth Hostel).

This is the first time we are coming to High Close in the Autumn. Although the days may be shorter and the weather a mite colder, we still envisage walks in the fells and some low-level walking also. There are likely to be a wide variety of workshops offered by the participants. Some of us, bearing in mind the colder water temperature at this time of year, may wish to take a swim in the nearby Loughrigg Tarn. We have the opportunity to socialise and relax and do as much or as little as we wish. There will be a cosy fireside for chatting and reading. We will screen classic and LGBT films on some afternoons and evenings. Delicious and varied vegetarian and vegan food will, once again, be supplied by Jonathan and Phil, our caterers.

We have exclusive use of this space. The extensive grounds and arboretum surrounding the venue are lovely places to enjoy on fine days. The covered veranda offers an outside space whatever the weather.

Perhaps the week will be a little more laid-back compared to our Spring and August weeks, or maybe not. What we do depends on the activities/workshops participants offer and our individual wishes. We invite everyone to bring along their own ideas and a willingness to share them with the other attendees. Nothing is compulsory and there is usually something for everyone.

Individual Needs: When booking, it is your responsibility to let us know of any health conditions or dietary requirements which could have an impact on yourself or other participants on the event. Please remember, we only offer Vegan and Vegetarian foods as this is part of the ECC ethos. Whilst we will try to accommodate other dietary needs, we cannot guarantee that it will be possible for us to do so.

Wellbeing: If you are feeling unwell before the event, please consider if it is best not to attend as we are all in close proximity to one another.

Helping Out: Before booking, please note that all participants will need to help with keeping the building clean and doing the washing up. We are on our own this week as there aren’t any staff to clean for us. In effect this means a rota where each of us will be expected to help our community on up to 4 occasions during the event. (We are expecting to make the length of tasks a little less than on previous occasions). It can be fun working together in this way and it keeps our environment pleasant.

Looking after the fire: There is a wood-burning stove we need to look after each day. There will be a space on the booking form to tell of your willingness to be a helper or stove-team organiser.

Alcohol-Free Bedrooms: When making a booking you will find an option for choosing an Alcohol-Free Bedroom. There are many reasons why an alcohol free bedroom may be preferred. If you do opt for one of these rooms, for the comfort of your room mates, you need to follow some guidelines. Please do not bring alcohol of any kind to your room. Please do not store alcohol in your room. We ask that you do not consume alcohol prior to coming to your room. It is fine to have alcohol if you have not chosen to be in an Alcohol Free Room but please consume alcohol in a responsible manner and be aware of how your consumption of it may affect fellow participants.

Soirée: We plan to round off the week with an informal soirée where all are invited to share a poem, song or something else. It is fine to be an audience member also.

Participation: As all activities are offered by volunteers, amongst those attending, then what actually happens is dependent on this gracious willingness to share. We are all invited to partake in this spirit.

Workshops and responsibilities: We are an intentional community, friends together. When a workshop is proposed, the facilitator will take reasonable care to create a safe environment. We are all responsible for our own safety and it is on that basis that we take part. Please remember that a long walk up a challenging fell or a swim in cold water or a stretching exercise in a relaxation workshop may have intrinsic risks. Please only do what you are comfortable with.

Base groups/Heart circle: We will have Base Groups (and possibly Heart Circles if preferred) for an hour each day before evening meal. This provides an opportunity to get to know 5 or 6 of the other participants really well and we will have an opportunity to share how we are feeling.

Group Photo: We will give everyone an opportunity to appear in a group photograph to be taken during the event. It would be appreciated if someone, with the necessary skills, would offer to be responsible for this.

Essential Information

Venue: Langdale Youth Hostel, High Close, Loughrigg, Ambleside LA22 9HJ

Dates: Tuesday 10th November 2026 – Tuesday 17th November 2026.

Accessibility: YHA Langdale is an old building which can make accessibility difficult. There is no lift or stair lift to access the first floor. There is one bedroom available on the ground floor with an accessible bathroom. We are working with YHA Langdale to see if improvements can be made as we are aware that the accessible bathroom presented difficulties for some users.

The ground floor is accessible, and workshops, meals and socialising spaces are all on the ground floor. Please contact Mike prior to booking if you have any concerns about the building or grounds and how it may affect your stay. We will work with you to resolve any concerns as best we can. There are a limited number of taxis in the area that can accommodate wheelchairs. If you require one of these taxis please ensure you book them in advance of your arrival and departure.

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

Participants: There will be space for up to 35 of us. A proportion of spaces will be held for first timers to an ECC event until September 5th. To retain a booking, balances must be paid by Saturday 3rd October. After that time spaces will be offered to anyone on the waiting list, should there be one.

Accommodation: Dormitories contain between 4 – 14 beds. These are bunkbeds but the intention is, where possible, to use only the bottom bunks. There are no single rooms available. There are plenty of individual showers and you will need to bring your own towels and toiletries although bedding is provided.

Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Evening Meal are provided by the caterers. We will also supply some basic snacks such as biscuits alongside tea, instant coffee, fresh coffee, herbal teas, green tea, decaffeinated coffee and tea and drinking chocolate. Dairy and plant milk will be available. Anything other than these items will need to be provided by yourselves. There is a fridge where personal foods can be stored. Storage will be much more limited than it is in August as the members kitchen is for the sole use of the caterers. Food would need to be labelled with your name so as not to be confused with communal supplies.

Arrival: Please arrive after 4pm and by 6pm if possible on Tuesday 10th November. The organisers do not have access to the building much before this. We ask any early arrivals not to enter the building until all is ready.

Departure: We need to leave the hostel by 10.00am on Tuesday 17th November.

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 and possibly offer lifts from Grasmere if getting the regular bus there. Del will help co-ordinate travel arrangements.

The nearest train station is 9 miles away at Windermere. National Express buses travel to Windermere also. 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 organisers will co-ordinate offers of travel and requests.

WhatsApp Group: A WhatsApp group for travel and general communications will be set up from around Monday 21st September.

Organisers

The organisers for this new event are Paul (Bookings and General enquiries), Del (WhatsApp and Travel enquiries) and Mike (Accessibility and Workshop enquiries).

Paul
My first ECC event was at High Close in 2002 and I have been back there, and to other venues, every year since. High Close has remained my favourite. I initiated this new November event and look forward to enjoying a cosy community space as the nights get darker. These events have always been more than a holiday to me. I look forward to being part of a caring and vibrant community. I enjoy meeting the guys, walking, swimming, chilling, having deep conversations and playing silly games. I am pleased and excited to be organising with Del and Mike.

Del
I walked through the doors of my first ECC event, which was at High Close in August 2025, having gotten somewhat lost in life. When I crossed back through the same portal a week later a transformation had begun. I was regaining a sense of community, a sense of belonging and a greater responsibility for being kinder to myself. I returned to High Close in March 2026 and the experience was just as deep and meaningful. Re-connections were made and new friendships forged. I thrive being surrounded by so many creative types as well as following a flexible structure that allows so many diverse artistic outlets. Therefore, I am really excited to partner with Paul and Mike on this new November High Close retreat. This will allow me to give something back to this community and bring some new ideas such as old movie projections on cold dark nights...

Mike
My first ECC event was at High Close in August 2021. I was not quite sure what to expect and, I have to admit, was more than a little nervous. Those nerves disappeared very quickly, however, and I found myself in the company of a wonderful group of men who made me feel very much at home. I have been coming back to ECC events regularly ever since and have made some very good friends within our community. I am excited to return to High Close as an organiser for this event and more than happy to be joining Paul and Del for what I know will be a great week. An opportunity to mix with ECC members old and new in the wonderful surroundings of the Lake District cannot be missed.