Group visits

The minimum size for a group tour is fifteen people. Groups of over 25 may be split into smaller groups for the tour, due to the nature of the house and the size of the rooms.

The guided tour lasts between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on the size of the group.

The charge for guided tours is £6 per head. Accompanied children are free of charge.

Visits to Hall Place can easily be combined with a visit to the Trust’s other property, at Danson House, and we will be happy to help you make arrangements for a combined visit.

Guided group tours can be pre booked by contacting grouptours@bexleyheritagetrust.org.ukor calling 020 8298 6951 (Wednesdays only). Please see the “How to book” page for further details of the booking process.

» How to book group visits
» Frequently Asked Questions for Group Visits
» Talks to groups and societies

 

How to book group visits

The booking process:

Once you know roughly when you’d like to visit us and approximately how many people will be in your group please contact us so that we can start the booking process.

Once we have confirmed that your requested date is available, a provisional booking is made and a booking form will be sent out to you. When you have completed the form, signed and returned it to us (with a non-returnable deposit of £25) your booking will be confirmed in writing.

Contact us:

By telephone: 020 8298 6951 (Staffed on Wednesdays only, although it is possible to leave a message at other times).
By post: Bookings Co-ordinator, Bexley Heritage Trust, Bourne Road. Bexley. Kent. DA5 1PQ.
By email: grouptours@bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk

Please remember to have a look through our Frequently Asked Questions for Group Visitors if you have any quick questions!

Packages for group visits

Visiting Danson House and Hall Place and Gardens

Bexley Heritage Trust also manages Danson House, located just 2 miles away from Hall Place (5 minutes by car/coach). Danson House is a Grade I listed neo Palladian villa, set in Danson Park, and offers an eighteenth century experience to add to the sixteenth and seventeenth century buildings at Hall Place. A combined visit to Hall Place and Danson House makes an ideal day out for visiting coach parties.

Tours of each house and the Hall Place gardens are £6 per person per tour, although if you would like to tour both houses we offer a discounted price of £10 per person.The group tour booking co-ordinator will be happy to discuss your group’s requirements for the day, and can book the tours for both Hall Place and Danson House and organise the booking of refreshments at either or both sites as you require.

Group bookings for Events
It is possible for us to take group bookings for our events at Hall Place, although in some cases, if the group is large enough, we would be happy to organise an exclusive event for your group. For example, a specialist lecture in one of the historic rooms in the main house followed by a two course hot lunch in the riverside tearoom, or afternoon tea. Please see the Hall Place events calendar for further details of the variety of events we host and contact us to discuss your requirements.

Guidebooks for Groups

Guidebooks can be pre-ordered by groups visiting Hall Place, for collection on the day and can be included on the main invoice.

Refreshments

In the riverside tea room at Hall Place, groups can enjoy a selection of hot lunches and light refreshments, including sandwiches, jacket potatoes, homemade cakes and afternoon teas.

Our tea room seats 50 inside (with further terrace seating outside). Large groups cannot therefore be accommodated all at once but we can arrange for reservations to be made for up to twenty at a time, with the other half of the group perhaps touring the gardens and then coming to have lunch while the first half take their turn around the gardens. These arrangements can be confirmed with our group booking co-ordinator.

A copy of the tea room menu is available on request.
Hall Place can accommodate coach parties.

Due to the nature of the rooms in the historic house large groups (over 25 people) are split into smaller groups for tours.

Larger groups that will be split for the tour, can be accommodated for refreshments in stages that compliment tour times during the visit.

 

Frequently Asked Questions for Group Visits

1. Do we have to book?

Yes, if you would like a guided tour. The minimum number for group bookings is 15 people.

If you do not want a guided tour, but still intend to visit the house as a group we would appreciate it if you informed us in advance so that we can expect your visit.

2. Do you offer any group rates?

Group entrance to Hall Place, with a guided tour by a designated guide is £6 per person.

It is also £6 per person for tours of Danson House (Bexley Heritage Trust’s other property located in Bexleyheath).

If you would like to visit and have a guided tour of both Hall Place and Danson House there is a special discounted rate of £10 per person.

3. How much time do we allow for a visit to Danson House?

Tours last approx 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size of the group.

In addition to this time should be allowed to visit the gift shop and tearoom. If the weather is fine the gardens can be explored as well: our award winning gardens include formal gardens, topiary, a nursery, model and display gardens, as well as extensive glasshouses.

4. Is there parking for coaches?

Once the planned work to the car park is complete in summer 2009 there will be coach parking on site. Until then there are two coach parking bays on Bourne Road, just outside the site.Parking is free in the car park.

5. Is there a long walk to the house?

The house is 2 minutes from the car park, on flat road surface and bonded gravel. The approach is through the gardens and via the visitor centre, where you will find the tea room, shop, and toilets.

We can make special arrangements for access for those with limited mobility. Please telephone 020 8303 6699 in advance to arrange this.

6. When do we need to advise you of final numbers in our group?

Final numbers are requested four weeks prior to the visit.

7. When do we pay for our visit?

On receipt of invoice – if there is not enough time to issue an invoice then groups can pay on the day (in a single payment, by cash, cheque or card).

8. Is there any accommodation nearby?

There are bed and breakfasts in Bexley and two hotels close by (Marriott, Bexleyheath and The Holiday Inn, Bexley). Please telephone the Hall Place Tourist Information Centre for further details (01322 621238).

9. Is there wheelchair access?

All public areas in the main house are wheelchair accessible. The first floor is reached by lift. There is level access to the visitor centre where the tea room, gift shop and accessible lavatories are situated. There is a further disabled toilet in the main house..

There are wheelchair-accessible paths through the nursery and display gardens, and some wheelchair access to the formal gardens.

10. Is photography allowed in the house?

Photography is only allowed inside Hall Place with prior written permission. Please apply to info@bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk or write to: Sarah Fosker, Bexley Heritage Trust. c/o Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ.

 

Talks to groups and societies

Bexley Heritage Trust has several staff members experienced in public speaking who would be delighted to visit your group to give a presentation.

Bexley Heritage Trust offers the following popular talks, accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation of slides, which last approximately one hour (including time to ask questions):

1. The History of Danson House
2. The Bean family at Victorian Danson
3. The History of Hall Place
4. The History of the Hall Place Gardens
5. Brief History of Hall Place and Danson House (more suitable for AGMs etc)
6. The Tudor Housewife (accompanied by costume and props rather than a PowerPoint presentation).

Bexley Heritage Trust asks for a minimum £50 donation (including travel expenses) per talk that goes directly towards the work of the Trust at both Hall Place and Danson House.

We can visit your group during the working day, or in the evening. We can provide all the equipment required (laptop, screen, digital projector and stand) for the presentation. We are happy to bring guidebooks for sale and promotional materials for all the forthcoming events at both properties.

If you would like to book a speaker or find out more about this service please contact us by email on info@bexleyheritagetrust.org.ukor telephone us at Hall Place on 01322 526574.