The Pass
Inspirational ideas for group days out and holidays
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Sights and Sounds
Sights and Sounds
Take your group back in time and discover some of the UK’s most interesting museums and galleries.
Music man
The Elgar Birthplace Museum is set in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside. During a visit, groups can see Elgar’s desk laid out as it was when he was composing; his scores, concert programmes, letters, photographs and gramophone. Free audio tours are also available for groups in the Birthplace Cottage and Elgar Centre, plus an unrivalled range of CDs, books, sheet music, and souvenir gifts, which can be purchased in the museum shop. Groups of 10 or more can experience three exciting bespoke visits - Behind the Scenes, Elgar: the Man and his Music, and a joint visit with Spetchley Park Gardens.
Attention to detail
Hat Works offers an exciting programme of exhibitions for 2008, starting with What’s Hot! - Nigel Rayment, which runs until 7 August, and looks at couture design headpieces. Then from 17 May to 17 August, Ascot: at the races, is a temporary exhibition, which celebrates Royal Ascot, the world’s most famous race meeting. Explore the history of the event and discover some beautiful and outrageous hats. There’s also the chance to take a tour of the museum with your group, which is led by an expert guide who will share their knowledge about the history of the hatting industry. The tour gives you an insight into the processes involved in producing a hat, and you can learn more about the cottage industry and enjoy demonstrations with their original working Victorian-style machinery. Light refreshments and lunches can also be enjoyed in their café, which offers a range of choices that can be pre-ordered for your group.
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0161 355 7770
Storyteller
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is a friendly museum set in picturesque Great Missenden - the Chilterns village where Dahl lived and wrote for over thirty years. Groups visiting the museum can find out about Roald Dahl’s life and the stories behind the stories in the biographical galleries, plus discover the secrets hidden in Roald Dahl’s replica writing hut, and pick up top writing tips from best selling contemporary authors. There’s also a shop where you can buy books, souvenirs, stationery and gifts, plus Cafe Twit, which serves home-made cakes, sandwiches and a range of hot and cold drinks. Tailor-made visits can be arranged for groups, including a tour of the museum. Call the number below or visit their website to find out more.
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01494 892192
A case of history
Staircase House is a beautifully restored town house, situated in Stockport’s historic market place, which takes you on a journey spanning 500 years of history. This fully accessible site is ideal for group visits and allows you to touch, smell and listen as you journey through the ages. Stockport Story museum adjoins Staircase House and contains an impressive collection of artefacts and memorabilia that describe Stockport’s past. Set over five floors, you will learn the historic relevance of the thriving textile industry on the town, as well as the development of the famous marketplace.
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0161 480 1460
Go potty
Stoke-on-Trent is world famous for its pottery and no visit to the city would be complete without a trip to Gladstone Pottery Museum. Discover how bone china tableware was made in the original workshops and giant bottle kilns of the former Gladstone China Works, now preserved as the last complete Victorian Pottery factory in the country. The museum also has 'Flushed With Pride' - telling the story of sanitation and toilets, a Tile Gallery and Victorian Doctors House. Gladstone Tea-room provides snacks, meals and afternoon teas and the gift shop has high quality affordable items, many of which are made or decorated on site. Group discounts and free parking are also available. Contact the museum on the details below to find out more.
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01782 237777
Up in the air
Visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum and your group will be ‘transported’ by helicopter to the replica flight deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. You‘ll see fighter aircraft and two enormous projection screens showing jet fighters taking off and landing. You’ll also get the chance to see a nuclear bomb. The museum has Europe’s largest collection of Naval aircraft and the first British built Concorde, where you can go onboard and visit the cockpit. There is also a restaurant, shop, ample free parking and excellent disabled access on site. To find out more about the Fleet Air Arm Museum, contact them on the details below.
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01935 842614
Street life
Groups can step back in time at the Milestones Museum where a full size historic street scene has been created inside a new building. Visits last approximately 3 hours and you’ll have access to a free audio guide, which describes the museum and takes a look at its collections. There are also plenty of good features, including extensive coach parking, a drop-off point outside the museum, accessible toilets, on-site refreshments, and a well-stocked gift shop. Special group discounts are available for pre-booked groups of 15 or more. To book in advance, contact Linda Owen on the number below or visit their website.
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01256 403905
Another museum that your group might like to visit is Amberley Working Museum - a 36 acre open-air museum dedicated to the industrial heritage of the south east. Staffed largely by volunteers, the museum contains a wide range of exhibits, ranging from transport-based collections, such as the Southdown bus collection & the village garage, to industry-based collections, like the Print Workshop & Wheelwrights. The museum is also home to a number of resident craftspeople, who work to traditional methods. A discount is available for groups of 10 or more who wish to pre-book. Contact the museum below.
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01798 831370
Inform and entertain
Beaulieu has been welcoming group visitors for over 50 years and has much to offer, including a 13th century abbey, beautiful grounds and gardens, and nestling on the Beaulieu River, the picturesque village of Buckler's Hard. Their themed tours are a popular attraction with groups and several new tours are now available, with something for everyone, whatever their interest. Choose from a tour of the National Motor Museum, or take the Grand Tour, encompassing Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House. They also present tailored tours, which offer an extra element to your day, depending on your area of interest.
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01590 614645