GROUP AND TRAVEL TRADE GUIDE 2019/20

Transcription

1 GROUP AND TRAVEL TRADE GUIDE 2019/ Knebworth House, Gardens & Park, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG1 2AX

2 INTRODUCTION Set in 250 acres of beautiful rolling Hertfordshire countryside with 28 acres of Formal Gardens, Knebworth House has been home to the Lytton family for over 19 generations, making for an extraordinary walk through 500 years of local and British history. Inside, stories and heirlooms reflect the family s contribution to literature, politics and Foreign Service, alongside visits by characters as diverse as Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth I. Popular rooms include the Jacobean Banqueting Hall, Victorian Library and Edwardian Dining Parlour. 500 years of extraordinary history Sir Robert Lytton bought the manor of Knebworth in He supported Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth and became Under Treasurer to the Household and close confidant. The House was completed by 1563 and remained virtually unaltered until the 19th century. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Victorian novelist, playwright and politician, who penned the lines it was a dark and stormy night and the pen is mightier than the sword, transformed the Tudor house into a Victorian Gothic fantasy, with domes, turrets and gargoyles. H. E. Kendall designed these extensive alterations, with interiors by John Crace and John Hardman. This followed on from the significant changes that his mother made, having previously demolished three wings of the House. There have been gardens at Knebworth House since at least the 17th Century, but the present layout dates largely from the Edwardian era. The architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who married into the Lytton family, simplified the ornate beds and statuary of the Victorian garden with lawns and avenues of pollarded lime trees. Lutyens created garden rooms with each area having a different feel depending on the planting. The Lytton women have a long history of fighting for the emancipation of women. Most well-known is Suffragette Lady Constance, who turned away from her aristocratic roots, enduring prison and force-feeding in her fight for women s votes. She wrote about her ordeal in Prisons and Prisoners (1914), which became widely read and influential in prison reform. GROUP BENEFITS Special rates for groups (min 16 on open days, min 20 on closed days) Private specialist tour and talk options on request, subject to availability Free place for the group organiser* Free onsite coach parking Free admission for coach drivers and a refreshment voucher on open days* Group discount for guidebooks Dining options available Private Garden tour with one of our gardeners* ( pp, subject to availability) *Applicable for groups of 20 or more guests Tours and Specialist Talks GUIDED HOUSE TOURS Discover the home of the Lytton family with a fascinating tour. Most pre-booked group tours are guided, taking approximately 1 hour; timing and tour detail may be varied if required. Please let us know if you have an area of interest when booking. Tour options: Tour 1: Knebworth House and the Lytton Family the story of the house and the family for whom it has been home for over 500 years. An audio tour of Knebworth House and the Lytton Family is available for visitors who have difficulty managing the stairs. Tour 2: The Lytton Ladies focusing on some of the remarkable ladies of the house, whose characters have left their mark on both Knebworth and British history. NON-GUIDED HOUSE TOURS On event days and Sundays throughout July and August, guests may explore the House at their own leisure with a free-flow tour. Room Stewards will be available to answer questions. NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURS There are printed language guides and some guided tour options available, please phone for further details. Sir Robert Lytton Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton Sir Edwin Lutyens Lady Constance Lytton

3 GARDEN TOURS Popular features include the ponds, walled vegetable garden, formal rose garden, Gertrude Jekyll s herb garden, and colourful borders. To make a visit to the gardens extra fun, an activity book for children is available to buy from the Gift Shop. Guided tours of the formal gardens are offered at an additional charge of 3.50 per person for groups of 20 plus. These tours take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. SCHOOL GROUPS Further details of our Educational programmes may be found on our website or phone ATTRACTIONS BRITISH RAJ EXHIBITION Put together to mark the centenary of the Great Delhi Durbar of 1877 when Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India by her Viceroy, Robert 1st Earl of Lytton. The exhibition highlights the Lytton family s connection with India. It may be viewed at the start or end of your house tour. Now open from 12:00 noon. MAZE The Edwardian maze has been a children s favourite for many generations. GIFT SHOP We stock a wide range of affordable gifts and souvenirs, seasonal plants for your garden and concert memorabilia, much of which is unique to Knebworth. DINOSAUR TRAIL Take a walk on the wild side and explore the dinosaur trail in the Wilderness with over 70 life-sized model dinosaurs very popular with younger visitors. KNEBWORTH PARK Our 250-acre historic deer park is great for walks, games, picnics and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome (in the park area only). ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND WITH FORT KNEBWORTH Our popular outdoor facility, with its slides, climbing equipment and bouncy castle continues to give hours of enjoyment for children. Under cover picnic tables, toilets and a refreshment kiosk are on site (kiosk must be booked in advance on closed days). SPECIAL EVENTS Each year Knebworth hosts a varied programme of special events such as country, craft, garden and motor shows, theatrical performances and concerts. ST MARY S CHURCH The Anglican church situated in Knebworth Park dates to 1190 (the Norman period) and the churchyard has listed tombstones by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Open Sundays in July and August 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. (Viceroy, Robert 1st Earl of Lytton)

4 REFRESHMENTS AND CATERING Coffee / tea and biscuits Garden Terrace Tea Room Group set lunches Cream Teas Traditional Afternoon Tea TIMINGS You are welcome to spend as long or as little time in each area as you like, the timings below are guidelines, with the exception of guided tours, which last approximately one hour. Attraction House Tour British Raj Exhibition Garden Tour Dinosaur Trail and Wilderness Garden Park and Adventure Playground Maze For all groups pre-ordering and pre-paying for a 1 or 2-course lunch, complimentary tea, filter coffee and biscuits will be organised for your entire group on arrival. Self-service style café with a selection of homemade soup, afternoon teas, cakes, sandwiches, locally produced hot and cold lunches and freshly prepared salads. Groups of 20 or more guests have the additional option of booking a special menu to be served within a reserved area. Enjoy a delicious cream tea served with homemade jam and clotted cream. The Afternoon Tea menu comprises of a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, mini tea fancies, tea and coffee. You will be asked to provide details of any dietary requirements when booking. We ask that pre-booked refreshments are paid for in full at least 21 days prior to your visit. There is a menu available for groups visiting on a closed day that do not wish to book and pay for refreshments in advance. Suggested Time 1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour 45 minutes 3 hours 10 minutes PRICES & HOW TO BOOK We welcome groups both large and small; our minimum group size is just 16 paying guests providing you are visiting on a general public open day. Groups of 20 or more guests have the option of visiting when we are closed to the general public at a small additional premium, or on an open day. Pre-booking is required for all group visits. The Group Bookings team will be happy to assist, phone or groupbookings@knebworthhouse.com. VISITOR OPENING DAYS AND TIMES 2019 (dates may be subject to change) Weekends & Bank Holidays: March 27 April 19 May 8 23 June 7 29 September Daily: 6 April 22 April 25 May 2 June 29 June 29 August From 22nd July to 1st September the opening time will be 10:30 am Park, Gardens, Adventure Playground, Gift Shop, Dinosaur Trail, Garden 11:00 am Terrace Tea Room. House and British Raj Exhibition. Now open from 12:00 noon. 12:00 noon Last admission for all areas is 4:00 pm for a 5:00 pm close. House tours can be accommodated from 11:30 am for a pre-booked group of 20+ guests. Prices for House, Park, Gardens, Dinosaur Trail, Adventure Playground and some special events (please check dates when booking). GROUP ADMISSION CHARGES: during published visitor open days / times min 16 guests. Excluding House Including House Adults Seniors; Children & Students (3-18) Under 3s Free Free GROUP ADMISSION CHARGES: outside published visitor open days/times. Minimum numbers: 20 between am 5.00 pm and 50 between 6.00 pm 9.00 pm. Excluding House Including House Adults Seniors; Children & Students (3-18) Under 3s Free Free Make your booking by completing the online booking form or contact our Group Booking administrators. You can request a printed copy of the booking form to be posted to you. We offer a FREE place on the day of the visit for group organisers bringing groups of 20 or more guests, (excluding refreshments). Once a confirmed booking has been made, the organiser may book an appointment for a free familiarisation visit (maximum of 2 people) to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day - these take place Mon-Fri 9.30 am pm. PAYMENT: Final numbers and payment are required 21 days prior to your visit. We accept payment by BACS, cheque, and debit / credit cards. We regret that we are not able to offer refunds. Late bookings require immediate payment by card. Normal admission fees will be charged for any additional visitors on the day. Promotional offers cannot be used for group bookings.

5 HOW TO GET TO KNEBWORTH HOUSE HITCHIN LETCHWORTH 7 BALDOCK STEVENAGE ROYSTON STANSTEAD LUTON KNEBWORTH M25 HOUSE WELWYN M1 A1(M) HERTFORD M11 HARLOW HATFIELD ST ALBANS WATFORD 21 M CONTACT US For more information please visit our website: or contact our dedicated Group Bookings administrators by phoning: or ing: groupbookings@knebworthhouse.com. Follow @knebworth_house HEATHROW LONDON BY ROAD Knebworth House & Park are accessed direct from the Junction 7 roundabout of the A1(M) motorway at Stevenage South, 29 miles north of London. There are signs on both carriageways of the motorway. Use postcode: SG1 2AX PARKING There is plenty of onsite free parking for cars & coaches BY AIR Luton Airport 11 miles (30 minutes) Stanstead Airport 28 miles (46 minutes) Heathrow Airport 41 miles (54 minutes) London City Airport 48 miles (61 minutes) Gatwick Airport 77 miles (91 minutes) BY RAIL Non-stop Inter-City and local services run to Stevenage station from London s Kings Cross, Cambridge, York, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Arrive in 3 hours on the Eurostar. There is a taxi rank at the station. Please note there is no pedestrian access via our main entrance. WHERE TO STAY Details of local hotels and places to stay can be found on our website ACCESSIBILITY Essential companions accompanying any paying visitor may receive complimentary admission providing that they can present corresponding evidence on arrival at the ticket kiosk. A wheelchair is available for use from the Gift Shop. Assistance dogs admitted in all areas. See Access Guide on website. The information contained in this brochure is correct at the time of going to press. The management reserves the right to make any changes to facilities offered and to close the ground and House, or any part thereof, without notice.