Photograph: Rich Cobbold Group Booking Information 2016 The family home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until the end of his life. The rooms and gardens remain much as they were when he lived here and contain personal memorabilia, books and family photographs. The beautiful terraced gardens contain the lakes Sir Winston created and Lady Churchill's Rose Garden and many of Churchill's paintings can be seen in the garden studio. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 1 -
How to plan your visit Booking All groups must be pre-booked. When you contact us to book we will need the following information: Name of group Name of group contact Visit date Arrival time (on the half hour) Preferred entry time in to the house Approximate group size Contact details (address, phone number and email if available) Please note that due to the nature of the site, we are limited as to how many groups can visit per day. Dates can sell out early. We suggest that you provisionally book your group in as early as possible to avoid disappointment. This can be done by: Email:.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01732 861142 Post:, Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1PS In order to confirm your booking you must complete and return a booking form. If your booking has not been confirmed then it may be altered or cancelled. We will always notify you of any changes. If we haven t heard from you two months after provisionally booking we will try and contact you, and if we can t get in touch your booking may be cancelled. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 2 -
What to expect from your visit Arrival Your coach should park in our coach park at least 30 minutes before their booked entry in to the house. The coach car park is sign-posted through the car park. There is no parking charge for coaches. We request that coach drivers do not run engines unnecessarily. We ask that your group remains on the coach and that initially; only the group leader leaves the coach to meet a member of the Visitor Welcome team. The Visitor Welcome Assistant will need to know: The total number in your group How many of those are National Trust members and how many you will be paying for. If there are any wheelchair users in your group. At the Visitor Welcome Centre payment will be taken for your group and tickets will be collected. Please note: Payment for the group must be in one single transaction. We cannot accept individual admission payments. In order to qualify for the group rate groups must consist of 15 or more people. Timed tickets for the house are booked in advance and provided on arrival. As entry to the house is booked in advance we cannot guarantee any groups that miss their entry time will receive house tickets. Groups have 15 minutes from their booked entry time to enter the house but once inside can spend as long as they like inside. National Trust members will need to bring their membership cards with them on the day. For efficiency we don t always see them but occasionally do run spot checks. If your group is running late or needs to cancel on the day, please phone directly to the Visitor Centre on 01732 861159. Alternatively you can call the main office on 01732 868381 and they can pass on the message. House Entry to the house is by timed tickets and these are booked in advance for 11:00, 11:15, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00 and can be collected on arrival. Groups have 15 minutes to enter the house after their booked entry time. As entry is booked in advance we can t guarantee groups will receive a later timed ticket if they miss their entry. Groups are expected to be responsible for their own journey time and account for delays. Once inside groups can spend as long as they like inside the house. There are room stewards in every room of the house who are happy to answer any questions about the house and the Churchills at. The ground floor of the house is accessible but unfortunately the lift installed by Sir Winston is no longer safe to use. Please refer to the access section of this pack for more information on accessibility to the house (page 5). Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 3 -
What to expect from your visit Garden is built on steep valley sides and consequently the garden involves steps and slopes. Please refer to the access section of this pack for more information on accessibility to the garden (page 5). There is no timed entry to the garden so your group can enjoy the garden as soon as they have collected their tickets. Studio The studio is located within the garden and has many examples of Sir Winton s art on show. Please refer to the access section of this pack for more information on accessibility to the studio (page 5). Available Literature The following are available at the Visitor Centre, Shop or at the House: The Guidebook can be pre-ordered at a discounted price souvenir guide Rooms guides in English, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish Braille and large print guides on loan Welcome leaflet (free) showing a map of the grounds Tours and Talks In view of the confined space in the house, we are unable to offer guided tours, or to allow tour leaders to guide their own groups, during open hours. We do offer guided tours of the house on a Monday before opening hours and tours of the gardens during opening hours. Please see our tours and talks section of this pack for more details. Landemare Café We would be pleased to discuss the possibility of serving lunch or afternoon tea to your group in the Mulberry Room, which is situated on the first floor. Please see separate sheet for details. Please note that bookings with the restaurant are separate from the booking to visit. A confirmed booking with the café does not confirm your booking to. The main self-service café is open from 10am until 5pm and serves refreshments all day, with hot meals from 12 noon until 2.30pm. It is helpful if we know the approximate number likely to use this facility. Please mark on your booking form if you would like to use the self-service restaurant. Please be aware that on a free flow basis we cannot guarantee what meals will still be available. Shop We have a beautiful shop stocking Churchill memorabilia and interesting local ranges. The shop is located in the car park, next to the restaurant. We kindly ask if schools wishing to use the shop do so in manageable groups and monitored by a member of staff or guardian. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 4 -
Access It is important that the access information is read and that the information is passed on to every member of the group. Given its hillside and historic nature, there is limited wheelchair access to the house and some parts of the garden. is built on steep valley sides and consequently involves steps and slopes and, as at many country houses and historic properties open to visitors, there are a number of points that we should clarify to help you plan a successful visit. House The main visitors car park is about 250 metres from the House. Access to the House is via a sloping path and 24 shallow steps. Those visitors who are unable to negotiate steps should use the mobility bus, which has a tailgate lift, to visit the house. Please note that the mobility bus is run by volunteers and although we try to provide this service every day there may be days when it is not running. A small number of wheelchairs are available at the Visitor Centre, at the entrance to the gardens, on a first-come-first-served basis. For fire-safety reasons it is necessary to restrict the number of wheelchairs in the house. We can take one wheelchair in the house every 30 minutes. We regret that motorised wheelchairs can not be accommodated in the house. The ground floor of the house is accessible, but unfortunately the lift installed by Sir Winston is no longer safe to use and we are unable to offer this to visitors. There is a virtual tour and a photo album on the ground floor. The house can be crowded. It is advisable to avoid visiting on a Sunday as this is the busiest day. Thursdays and Fridays tend to be quieter. Gardens Many paths in the garden are paved, but the garden does not lend itself easily to wheelchair users owing to frequent differences in level and intervening steps. There is a wheelchairaccessible route from the front entrance to the House, to a viewpoint overlooking the kitchen garden and the Golden Rose Avenue. Studio The Studio, which is situated in the garden, has an accessible entrance, but to avoid steps the route to it is partially across a grass slope. Shop and Landemare café The shop and café are accessible from the upper level of the car park where there are additional designated parking bays or from the ramped area to the left-hand side of the Shop area. This area is at the top of a fairly steep slope. There is a lift from the ground floor of the restaurant to the Mulberry Room for those groups booked into the Mulberry Room for lunch. General Access There is an accessible toilet beside the Visitor Centre. A Braille guide is available on loan. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 5 -
Opening Times & Admission Prices Opening Times 2016 Dates Opening Times 1 st January - 27 th February House closed for conservation work Shop, café and garden paths open (conditions permitting on the day) every day 10am 5pm 1 st January - 31 st January Studio closed for conservation work 1 st January - 21 st February Exhibition Room open 1 st February - 27 th February Studio open every day, Monday to Sunday Tours at 12:30 and 2pm 28 th February - 30 th October Open every day, Monday to Sunday House: 11am 5pm Last entry at 4.15pm Garden: 10am 5pm Last entry at 4.15pm Studio: 12:00 4:00pm Exhibition Room: 10am 5pm Visitor Centre: 10am 4.15pm Shop: 10am 5pm Café: 10am 5pm 31 st October - March 2017 House closed for conservation work Catering Kiosk closed Studio open Monday to Sunday (until 31 st December) 12.00-3.30pm (closed 24 th and 25 th December) Exhibition closed 31 st October until 12 th November - Open 12 th November 31 st December (closed 24 th and 25 th December) Garden, shop and café Monday to Sunday 10am 5pm We cannot take group bookings on Bank Holidays or Bank Holiday weekends. This years Bank Holiday dates are: Friday 25 th March Monday 28 th March Saturday 30 th April Monday 2 nd May Saturday 28 th May Monday 30 th May Saturday 27 th August Monday 29 th August Admission Prices 2016 Admission Type Adult group entry: House, studio and garden Adult group entry: Studio and garden Under 16 group entry: House, studio and garden Under 16 group entry: Studio and garden National Trust Member Coach driver & Group Leader Parking Price 12.00 per person 6.00 per person 6.00 per person 3.00 per person Free of charge Free admission (Non-transferable) car park is pay and display with free parking for coaches and NT members displaying sticker. In order to qualify for the group rate, payment must be made in one single transaction and groups must consist of 15 or more people (inclusive of NT members). The coach driver will receive a refreshment voucher for use in the restaurant. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 6 -
Tours and Talks and Offers All tours and talks are subject to availability and must be pre-booked. Tour - The Churchills at This Monday guided tour of the principal rooms of the house describes the most notable contents and anecdotal information. The tour gives visitors an insight into the Churchill family s use of the house and their style of living. Duration 1 hour Cost 7.50 per person (including the group leader and driver if taking part) in addition to entry to the house and gardens at 12.00 per person or free with National Trust membership. Minimum / Maximum Numbers Minimum 15 people Maximum 30 people Please note large groups will be split into smaller groups. Availability Monday morning 10:00 arrival for a tour at 10:30am Not available during July or August. Tour - The Gardens A tour of the gardens to include Sir Winston Churchill s Studio, the Golden Rose walk, the wall built by Sir Winston, the lakes and the water features. The tour is available in French with prior arrangement. Duration 1 ½ hours Cost 7.50 per person (including the group leader and driver if taking part) in addition to entry to the house and gardens at 12.00 per person or free with National Trust membership. Minimum / Maximum Numbers Minimum 15 people Maximum 60 people Availability During open hours; day and time by negotiation. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 7 -
house and cream tea Enjoy a self-guided visit to the house making your own way through Churchill s family home followed by a well-deserved cream tea consisting of a freshly baked scone, jam, clotted cream and a tea or coffee in Mrs Landemare s café. Duration 1 ¾ hours Cost 5.25 per person in addition to entry to the house and gardens at 12 per person or free with National Trust membership Minimum/Maximum Numbers Minimum 20 people Maximum 60 people Availability Weekday afternoons arriving at 13:30 at the latest for 14:00 entry to the house followed by cream teas at 15:00. house and afternoon tea Enjoy a self-guided visit to the house making your own way through Churchill s family home followed by a well-deserved cream tea consisting of Victoria sponge and a tea or coffee in Mrs Landemare s café. Duration 1 ¾ hours Cost 4.75 per person in addition to entry to the house and gardens at 12 per person or free with National Trust membership Minimum/Maximum Numbers Minimum 20 people Maximum 60 people Availability Weekday afternoons arriving at 13:30 at the latest for 14:00 entry to the house followed by cream teas at 15:00. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 8 -
Catering Morning refreshments Served from 10-11.30am No. Time allocated Location Refreshments provided Under 40 30 mins Lady Soames 1 cup of filter coffee or tea with biscuits Over 40 60 mins Mulberry Room 1 cup of filter coffee or tea with biscuits Lunches Served at 12 noon No. Time allocated Location Refreshments provided Over 30 90 mins Mulberry Room Chicken (max of 60) Marseillaise per person 3.50 3.95 per person 8.95 Over 30 (max of 60) With glass of wine 90 mins Mulberry Room Chicken Marseillaise and fruit crumble With glass of wine 12.45 12.00 15.50 Afternoon tea Served at 3pm No. Time allocated Location Refreshments provided Over 30 (max of 45 mins Mulberry Room Freshly baked 60) scone with jam and clotted cream and tea or coffee Over 30 (max of 60) 45 mins Mulberry Room Victoria sponge and tea or coffee per person 5.25 4.75 Information about the facilities Name of room Location Disabled access Lady Soames Ground floor of the café Yes (toilets accessible via a lift) Mulberry Room 1 st floor of the café Yes, via a lift How to book catering for your visit: For further information, to check availability and enquire about vegetarian options and allergy information please contact Group Bookings on 01732 861142. Payment information (Catering only): For the catering part of your visit only we will require you to pay in full 7 days prior to your visit. The payment can be made over the phone with a credit/debit card. The catering team will contact you to take payment on the contact number provided. If we are unable to obtain payment, then your booking will automatically be cancelled. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 9 -
Where to next? Emmetts Garden & Quebec House We recommend combining a visit to with our neighbouring properties of Emmetts Garden or Quebec House. Emmetts Garden Emmetts Garden is a hillside garden at Ide Hill with views over the Weald of Kent. Enjoy the ambience of Emmetts Garden with its unique collection of plants and trees. Renowned for its spectacular views, fabulous bluebell displays and wonderful shows of Autumn colour, Emmetts Garden has something for everyone. The Old Stables and shop promise a warm welcome for all. Emmetts Garden is open 10am to 5pm (or dusk if earlier), every day of the week from 27 th February to 31 st December 2016. To book a group visit to Emmetts Garden call 01732 861142 or email emmetts@nationaltrust.org.uk. Quebec House Quebec House is a redbrick house with 17 th century origins, in the charming village of Westerham. Experience the intimacy of living in Quebec House, James Wolfe s boyhood home, who led British forces to victory over the French in Canada in 1759. Visit the exhibition in the coach house and explore the two sides of the conquest of Canada and reflect on the tragedy of General Wolfe s death. Discover some of Mrs. Wolfe s family recipes and her kitchen garden. Quebec House is open 11am to 5pm (house opens at 12 noon), Wednesday to Sunday, from 27 th February to 8 th May 2016 and then from 3 rd August until 30 th October 2016. From 9 th May to 31 July the house and garden are open weekends only 11am to 5pm (house opens at 12 noon) but the exhibition and Coach House with the refreshment point are closed. To book a group visit to Quebec House call 01732 861142 or email quebechouse@nationaltrust.org.uk. Email: chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk - 10 -