EAT MEDIEVAL SUMMER SCHOOL – 1-5 SEPTEMBER 2025

EAT MEDIEVAL SUMMER SCHOOL 2025: 1-5 September

Join us for another week of fun and interactive medieval cookery where you’ll learn all about what and how our predecessors from the middle ages cooked and ate. This five day course is hosted between Blackfriars former 13th century Dominican friary and Durham University’s Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS).

The course will consist of a number of practical cookery sessions in our air-conditioned Cookery School and discussions as well as a field trip to the historic 14th century Raby Castle which houses arguably the best-preserved medieval kitchen in Britain, and Durham’s World heritage Site.

In 2025 we will working through recipes from the medieval Iberian Peninsula, with a focus on two Arabic collections together with some Catalan recipes for contrast, all with the help of Professor Daniel Newman, an expert in Arab food history (and author of The Sultan’s Feast, The Sultan’s Sex Potions and The Exile’s Cookbook), and professor Giles Gasper, Professor of High Medieval History, both at Durham University, and colleagues.

Transport and entry costs are included as well as lunches and three dinners and refreshments throughout the day. Some meals you’ll make yourself under supervision in the Cookery School whilst others will be part of the field trips, or taken in our award-winning restaurants; and all leading-up to an end-of-week banquet-feast.

Flights, transfers, accommodation and breakfasts are not included nor are taxis when taken in preference to a scheduled walk to a given destination.

For accommodation, the following hotel in Newcastle is recommended: Hotel Indigo, 2/8 Fenkle Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 5XU, UK which is a 2 minute walk from Blackfriars.

Priced at just £1,250 per person, there’s also a time-limited early-bird discounted price of £1,095. An initial non-refundable £195 deposit is required to secure your place. The balance is required three months prior to the start of the course. All monies once paid are non-transferable and non-refundable. You will need to arrange your own travel, accommodation and travel insurance. See Terms & Conditions for details.

There are just 8 places for this exclusive and unique course on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please inform us of any allergies or dietary preferences when booking.

The walking tours include some steps and inclines. A sturdy pair of walking shoes, warm clothes and a raincoat are advised as well as clothes to cook in.

Terms & Conditions. The deposit must be paid to secure a booking. Any subsequent payments towards the final cost must be paid on demand. All amounts paid towards the final cost are non-refundable or transferable. If the course is cancelled for any reason, all monies paid will be returned. No additional compensation will be paid in lieu of participants personal costs.