The Adult Residential Colleges Association (ARCA) was a group of 27 residential colleges in the United Kingdom. The association was based in Felixstowe, Suffolk, England.
ARCA colleges specialized in short-stay residential adult education courses for the general public. Many were run by local authorities, whilst others were operated by charitable trusts or similar organizations.
Each college published its own programme of weekend, midweek and day courses, summer schools and courses leading to recognized qualifications. Most were offered just for the enjoyment of learning rather than for formal credit. Academic qualifications were not required of those who enrolled.
Associated colleges Anglia Leisure Learning in Suffolk Alston Hall in Longridge, Lancashire Belstead House in Ipswich, Suffolk Benslow Music Trust in Hitchin, Hertfordshire Braziers Park in Wallingford, Oxfordshire Burton Manor in Burton, Cheshire Debden House in Loughton, Essex Denman College in Marcham, Oxfordshire Dillington House in Whitelackington, Somerset Farncombe Estate Centre in Broadway, Worcestershire Hawkwood College in Stroud, Gloucestershire Higham Hall in Cockermouth, Cumbria Knuston Hall in Irchester, Northamptonshire Lancashire College in Chorley, Lancashire Missenden Abbey in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire Plas Tan y Bwlch in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd Wedgwood Memorial College in Barlaston, Staffordshire West Dean College in West Dean, West Sussex Westhope Craft College in Craven Arms, Shropshire
External links ARCA website