Celebrating Braziers Park School of Integrative Social Research:
75 Years of Curiosity, Community and Conscious Change
Text by Julia Bonet
Braziers Park in the late 19th century. Photo from the Braziers archive.
Over the decades, Braziers has been home to a remarkable tapestry of people and ideas. Artists, educators, environmentalists, activists, and visionaries have gathered here, contributing to a tradition of open inquiry and creative experiment. The Grade II* listed ‘Strawberry Hill Gothic’ Gothic house and the land around it have provided the backdrop for countless conversations, collaborations, and celebrations.
A Place of Learning, Belonging and Valuing The Individual
BPSISR has always been more than just a historic building. It is a centre for Education, supported by a working community, where members live and share responsibilities together – from cooking and gardening to welcoming visitors and hosting events. This way of life has kept alive the founders’ vision of cooperative living, while constantly adapting to the needs of new generations.
For three quarters of a century, Braziers has primarily been a centre for education. From early experiments in social research to today’s courses, workshops, and gatherings, Braziers offers space to learn not only with the mind, but also with the heart and hands. Its current programme, inspired by Soil, Soul, Society – the work of peace activist and environmentalist Satish Kumar, continues this tradition by bringing people together around ecology, creativity, spirituality, and community.
Braziers’ story is rich with creativity. It has been a setting for films and music, a retreat for writers and artists, and the birthplace of festivals and cultural projects. Its grounds, gardens, and woodland have provided inspiration and sanctuary for generations of visitors. This creative heritage continues today with art residencies, craft workshops, music festivals, and heritage projects that make Braziers’ history accessible to schools, families, and local communities.
Looking Ahead
As BPSISR celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, we look back with gratitude to all those who have lived, worked, and visited here and those who remain members of the Society – each leaving their mark on this unfolding experiment in community while we look with hope into the future.
Braziers remains a place where the past and the future meet, an educational charity, a historic house alive with possibility, rooted in its heritage yet always reaching forward. We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone, whether by attending an event, exploring our heritage, or simply walking in the gardens that have held so many stories over the past seventy-five years.
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Come and join us for our 75th anniversary celebrations: