High Close Spring 2026

This is an invitation to be part of a group of around 35 Gay Men gathering together, as we approach Springtime, at a long-time favourite venue, High Close.

We envisage workshops which are likely to include walking. Some of us may wish to take a dip in the nearby Loughrigg Tarn. There will be a cosy fireside for chatting and reading. Good 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 a space for being outside whatever the weather.

We envisage a week where we can socialise and relax as well as having the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of workshops. Perhaps the week will be a little more laid-back compared to our August weeks and maybe not. Last year’s event was very warm and sunny and many of us took advantage of this to spend a good deal of time outdoors. 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.

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 5 or 6 occasions during the event. 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, maybe, the stove-team organiser.

Pickups from Grasmere: If you have a car, would you be prepared to collect some attendees from nearby Grasmere? There is a bus service from Windermere rail station to Grasmere. (We envisage most people travelling by train to be coming to the YHA from Windermere by taxi). There will be a space on the booking form to tell of your willingness to help pick up those travelling by bus to Grasmere.

Buddy System   There may be an optional buddy system in place where first time attendees will be able to talk to a more experienced member in advance of and during the event. There will be an option to indicate whether you’d like to have a buddy, or to buddy a first timer on the booking form.

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 have an opportunity to share how we are feeling.

Alcohol-free bedroom: If you prefer to be in an alcohol free bedroom, then please indicate this on the booking form.

Essential Information

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

Dates:  Friday 13th March 2026 – Friday 20th March 2026.

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. 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 Andy 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 December 20th.  To retain a booking, balances must be paid by Saturday 7th February. 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.

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 Friday 13th March. 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 Friday 20th March.

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. Matt 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 Saturday 24th January.

Organisers

The organisers this time are Paul (Bookings and General enquiries), Andy (Accessibility and buddy enquiries) and Matt (Travel and workshop enquires)

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 event last March and have enjoyed working with my co-organisers to create a self-facilitated event with a slightly different feel to the August one.  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 to be organising with Andy again and happy that Matt is joining us for his first role as an organiser.

Andy:

High Close has become a special place for me since I attended my first event there in 2023. I have so many wonderful memories of my visits; special conversations, new friendships and experiences, and laughing until my sides hurt. ECC events can be such a moving and transformative moment that it’s always a privilege to be able to organise another event.

Working with Paul is always a pleasure, and I’m looking forward to getting to know Matt and see the fresh energy he brings. I know we’ll work hard to make it another memorable week and I look forward to seeing you all there.

Matt:

Hi! I'm Matt!
I'm a friendly outdoorsy guy. I try to do my little bit to make the world a friendly and compassionate place....but only after my first two cups of tea in the morning. Working outdoors as a gardener makes me happy. I'm very involved in village life where I live -  the drama group, the community woodland, making music, and making local apple juice. My first week with ECC was at High Close in the spring of 2025 and I was blown away by the sense of community. Roll on Spring 2026.

We look forward to welcoming you to High Close Spring 2026!