Organising language school visits to Strangers' Hall

Planning your visit

• Museum opening hours are Wednesdays 10am-4pm and Sundays 1-4.30pm (the museum is also usually open on Thursdays and Fridays during the summer holidays). Check Strangers' Hall opening times on our website.
• We may be able to provide areas for lunch on request - indoors or, in fine weather, in the garden. These must be pre-booked and are subject to availability. • Pre-visits: If you wish to make a pre-visit, please contact norwichcastle.bookings@norfolk.gov.uk
• If you have a large group, you may be required to stagger arrivals.
• You can find a risk assessment on our website.

Bookings

All visits must be booked in advance. To book or to make an enquiry, please contact 01603 493636 or norwichcastle.bookings@norfolk.gov.uk

Admission and payment

Please see your booking confirmation for details of the charge for your students. Group leaders and accompanying adults are free in a reasonable ratio. Please pay on arrival by cash, card or cheque payable to Norfolk County Council.

It may be possible to invoice after your visit - if you would prefer an invoice, please email norwichcastle.bookings@norfolk.gov.uk in advance of your visit to arrange this.

Cancellation policy

If you need to cancel your booking please contact norwichcastle.bookings@norfolk.gov.uk in advance.

If you have booked a tour or talk, please give 21 days' notice in writing; failure to do so may result in a cancellation fee.

Access requirements

The museum is not wheelchair-accessible and there are steps throughout, including to the toilets. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, we strongly recommend making a pre-visit to assess whether it will be suitable for them.

Find more information about access facilities at Strangers' Hall on our website.

On the day

Ask your coach driver to drop you off / pick you up outside the Strangers Tavern on Charing Cross. From there it's a very short walk to the museum. There is no parking on site.

On arrival, please go to the front desk. The group leader will be asked to sign in and record the number of students and adults in the party. If you have booked a tour or event, a member of museum staff will direct you to your meeting place.

The Museum Shop has a range of pocket-money-priced souvenirs.

Running late?

If you are taking part in an event or workshop and your arrival time is delayed for any reason please call the Bookings Coordinator on 01603 493636 or Strangers' Hall reception on 01603 667229.

Responsibilities and expectations during your visit

The rooms at Strangers' Hall are small and contain fragile objects. We recommend that students are organised in groups of around five people, and that only one group is in a room at a time. Please note that:

• Rucksacks and school bags are not permitted in the museum - please ask a member of staff to store them for you in the School Room or office.
• Please ask your students not to touch anything they see in the rooms. However, the Little Bed Chamber is a fully interactive room in which everything can be touched. Here students are invited to try their hand at making the bed - Tudor-style!
• No eating or drinking is permitted in the museum (apart from the garden and designated lunch space).
• Photography is permitted, but please do not use a flash.

The group leader has responsibility for adult helpers and for briefing students and adult helpers before the visit on health and safety, and on roles and responsibilities (see below).

All group leaders and adult helpers have responsibility for:

• their students' behaviour throughout the visit including led sessions and breaks.
• sole responsibility for the welfare of their pupils during breaks and lunchtimes.
• staying with their group at all times, especially during breaks and lunchtimes.
• in case of evacuation, escorting their group to the fire assembly point, taking the register and reporting any missing person to museum staff.

Students are expected to have a responsible attitude and show regard for the fabric of the museum, its contents and other museum visitors.

Departing the museum

When you are ready to leave, we recommend you phone your driver to check the coach is waiting for you. If there's a delay you'll then be able to wait in the museum rather than on the roadside.