About Cumberland Lodge
“We can’t change what we don’t understand.”
Cumberland Lodge is an independent education charity and social enterprise. For almost 80 years, we have brought together people from diverse backgrounds to explore social challenges, exchange ideas, and develop the skills needed to lead positive change.
Young people need opportunities to test ideas, challenge assumptions, and engage respectfully with people whose experiences differ from their own. In a world of growing inequality and political polarisation, we believe it is not our differences that divide us, but our inability to recognise, discuss, debate and respect those differences.
Since 1947, programmes at Cumberland Lodge have supported thousands of young people, educators, policymakers, professionals, and community leaders.
Our charity was established by Amy Buller, who had recently published her groundbreaking book, Darkness over Germany, about the rise of Nazi sentiments amongst students and academics in Germany in the late 1930s.
Our mission
Cumberland Lodge helps young people develop the skills to lead across difference. Through workshops, conferences, residential programmes, and public events, we create opportunities for people from different generations, backgrounds, and experiences to engage in meaningful discussion, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another.
Our current areas of programme focus include:
We encourage participants to think critically, and engage constructively with different viewpoints. Our programmes help future leaders develop the confidence to navigate complexity, bridge divides, and contribute positively to society – one conversation at a time.
A space for challenging conversations
Set in the heart of Windsor Great Park, Cumberland Lodge provides a unique environment for learning and reflection.
This is a space for challenging conversations. An open door to new perspectives. A place where great minds do not always think alike. Where people from all walks of life can come together to be seen, heard, and understood.
Our residential setting plays an important role in our educational work. Participants stay together, eat together, and continue conversations beyond the formal programme. This allows people to engage more deeply with complex issues than is possible in a typical one-day event.
For generations, Cumberland Lodge has provided a space for common ground. Where open dialogue can close divides, and where future leaders can learn how to agree to disagree, better.
A venue with purpose
Cumberland Lodge operates a social enterprise model.
It can be hired for conferences, meetings, retreats, and events throughout the year. Income generated through venue hire and related activities helps fund our educational programmes and contributes to the stewardship of the historic building and grounds.
This model enables us to generate much of our own income while reducing reliance on external funding sources. Any surplus generated is reinvested in our charitable mission.
Every booking at Cumberland Lodge helps support our work to create opportunities for learning, dialogue, and leadership development.
Watch a video about our work below.