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General Information

Booking

It is recommended that you contact the Education Officer by phone or email to check that the facilities you would like are available on the dates you would like to attend.

If you would like to know more about the Primary Outreach days, please also contact the Education Officer. A day with the Outreach Team at your school costs £150 plus travel costs for the team.

Our entry price includes:

• Free pre-visit familiarisation/risk assessment session for teachers
• Teacher's pack of notes to help plan your visit
• Living History interpretation in the Abbots Kitchen and in the grounds
• Planned enrichment work with the Education Officer
• Work booklets, trails and quizzes - these can be ordered and photocopied for the day of your visit
• One free adult for every ten pupils - additional adults may be included at reduced rates

Car & Coach Parking

St. Dunstans (Abbey) car and coach park is adjacent to the Abbey entrance; parking is available on payment of the Town Councils current tariff (for details telephone 01458 831769). Entrance to the Abbey can be gained either from Magdalene Street or from the rear (North East) corner of the car park.

Coach parking is also available at Northload Street West car park (approximately 400 metres from the Abbey).

Other car parks are Northload Street East and West, Bowyers Close and Silver Street - all close to the Town Centre; here fees are due to the District Council under their current tariff.

Toilets

There are public toilets by the car/coach park and also on site.

Disabled

There is wheelchair access to 95% of the whole complex. A modern toilet for the disabled is available.

Picnics

You are welcome to picnic within the park, however we would ask you not to picnic within the confines of the Abbey Church itself. There is a shelter in the centre of the park that may be used if the weather is inclement, however your class may also eat lunch in the Outdoor Classroom if available. Please ensure all litter is either binned or taken home.

Shop

The Abbey has a wide range of books and gifts. Due to restricted space please help us by allowing children to visit in small, accompanied groups only.

Cafe

From early-May until end of September we have an outdoor cafe, situated in the shelter by the Car Park wall (west end). The cafe sells teas, coffees, cold drinks, biscuits, sandwiches, pasties, ice-creams ... even home made cakes and cream teas.

Please form an orderly queue - if descending on the cafe en-mass!

Health & Safety

We try to provide a safe place for visitors, within the constraints of an historic property; but please take care. Varying ground levels can be dangerous, especially in wet weather. Take care around the two ponds and rough stonework. In the wildlife areas beware of uneven ground and badger holes. Children must be supervised at all times. A First Aid kit is kept at the ticket office.

Risk Assessment

A 'Risk Assessment' can be obtained from the Abbey on request. Please note that this is intended to supplement the schools own risk assessment procedures, not to replace them.