Re-Opening FAQ's

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How do I get in touch if I have an urgent query?

We're working hard to keep our website up to date so please do use it to keep informed. If your query can't wait, please email enquiries@sulgravemanor.org.uk and we'll do our very best to help you.

When are you open?

From Monday 20 July, we've reopened the garden at Sulgrave Manor & Garden.

We ask all visitors to visit the web pages ahead of travelling for the latest information about booking requirements.

Why can’t you open the manor house now?

The manor has an extensive collection of historic furniture and art and will need its own plan for reopening under the current guidelines.

The safety of our staff, volunteers, visitors and local communities is our priority and we want to welcome you back to somewhere safe for a good day out.

How are you cleaning your places?

We have implemented enhanced cleaning regimes in line with government guidance. 

Will children’s play areas be open?

Our natural play areas which encourage people to explore and allow for social distancing will be open, however formal playgrounds and play areas will remain closed in line with government advice. Please check our web page before you visit and follow all signage on site and instructions from staff.

Are people allowed to bring picnics? 

Yes, as long as people follow government guidelines on social distancing and take their litter home with them.

Barbecues are a fire risk and are not permitted. Please don't bring a barbecue when you visit.

Will you have picnic tables? 

Benches and picnic tables will be available where they are dispersed and allow for social distancing. 

How will you enforce social distancing?

The safety of our staff and visitors is our main priority. There will be a strictly limited capacity and anyone wishing to visit must have booked before arriving at the site. 

Upon arrival, we will have a system in place to organise the flow of foot traffic, minimise the need for person-to-person interaction and maintain a safe flow of people coming onto the property. 

Will there be hand sanitiser on site?

Hand sanitiser is available but you are also advised to bring your own. 

Is your car park open?

Yes it is and you don’t need to pre-book a space.

How can I book a visit?

By visiting our web pages.

Will I have to print out my tickets or can I show them on my phone?

Visitors should show their tickets on their phone, and may be asked to share their name and booking number. To maintain social distancing, we’re asking visitors not to pass anything to our staff. 

How many people are you going to let in each day?

We're opening at a reduced capacity to ensure we can manage social distancing and maintain public safety. 

Do I need to book if I’m arriving on foot or by bicycle? 

Yes, you will still need to book one ticket per person. Tickets are booked in advance using the main online booking system via the property web page. You will need to show your ticket confirmation when you arrive for your visit.

How will your booking system work?

Half-hour arrival time slots will be available. The last slot will be one hour before usual closing. 

One week of booking will be opened at a time. The following week’s booking will open at a fixed point the week before. Booking closes 24 hours before the visit slot. 

Will anyone be allowed in?

No, we are introducing a booking system so we’re able to control numbers to maintain public safety. However, the booking system will be open to members and non-members. Charity tax law means our places must be available to everyone – not just members. 

What happens if people turn up on the day?

They will politely be turned away. It is important that any visitor wanting to visit must book in advance. 

How often can I visit?

We are looking forward to our members and visitors returning, but in order to keep everyone safe, we’ve had to significantly restrict capacity.

We’re asking everyone to be considerate and only book when they are planning to visit.

Can I sell on my ticket?

Tickets are for your use only and are not available for resale. We will cancel tickets which we believe have been resold.

Can I cancel my booking?

Members can cancel their bookings by contacting enquiries@sulgravemanor.org.uk. We ask that you do so in good time, if you can, to make the tickets available for others as they are in high demand.

If you need to change your booking, please contact enquiries@sulgravemanor.org.uk and we will try to accommodate your request. We cannot change or cancel bookings after 3pm the day before your timeslot, in any circumstance. 

I’m not a member. Will I have to pay?

Yes, prices are £4 for an adult and £2 for a child.

Like many organisations, we have suffered a significant loss of income during the lockdown. Your money will help us to continue vital conservation work and keep providing access to nature, beauty and history. 

I’m a member. Can I book free entry for non-members in my group using my membership?

No, each member booking needs to be against an existing membership. You’ll need to enter your unique membership number when you book and membership cards will be checked on entry.

What can I expect from my visit?

Given the unprecedented circumstances, and in order to keep everyone safe, your visit will feel different from normal. 

Firstly, if you’re planning on, you will need to have booked via the website before arriving. Our places will be free to members. Non-members will need to pay an entrance fee when they book their visit. 

We are urging everyone to stay local, avoid busy places and continue to follow government advice on social distancing. For this reason we’ll show you the best routes when you arrive. 

You may be asked to follow arrows, follow a one-way system, or slow your pace. It’s vital that you follow these instructions – they’re for everyone’s safety. 

Please see our website for details of what facilities are on offer. 

Are you giving members priority on booking or giving them exclusive access?

Charity tax law means our places must be available to everyone - not just members, so we're unable to offer exclusive access or prioritised booking to anyone. Even if we allowed members priority booking, we would still need to hold back a small number of tickets for non-members so they also have an opportunity to visit. 

Will you be asking visitors to wear facemasks or other PPE? 

Visitors may wear face masks should they wish. We have made PPE available to our staff and volunteers if they need it or wish to use it. 

Are you using 2m or 1m+ social distancing?

We have planned the reopening around 2m social distancing to meet current government guidance which says to maintain 2m distancing where viable. 

Are there toilet facilities on site?

Yes we have the disabled toilet open for our visitors to use, which are located in our upper courtyard.

What food and drink can I expect? 

Our initial offer includes a small range of hot and cold drinks along with ice creams and crisps. This has meant that we’ve been able to provide visitors with refreshments, but by keeping our food offering limited, we’ve been able to reduce social interaction and keep everyone safe.

Will there be somewhere to sit and eat? 

Yes, we have opened outdoor seating. However, seating will be limited.

How is my safety and that of the staff being managed? 

The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors is our priority. To ensure that social distance is maintained we’ll be implementing the following:

Limited offer, initially focusing on hot and cold drinks. 

Card payments only to limit personal interaction, with contactless preferred.

Staff will have had comprehensive training prior to reopening to ensure they operate in the safest way possible. 

Till and collection points will be screened.

Hand sanitiser will be available and visitors will be encouraged to use it.

For our outdoor seating areas, we’ll be carrying out enhanced cleaning of tables and chairs between uses and will ensure that there’s a minimum of 2m distance between tables. 

What safety standards will be in place for indoor seating?

There will be no indoor seating available at this time.

Can I bring my own food and drinks? 

Yes, visitors may bring their own food and drink. Providing that social distancing guidance is followed if sitting down to eat, this can be consumed outdoors. 

Please don’t leave any litter behind.

Will tap water be provided? 

To minimise the possibility for contamination from refillable bottles, we’re asking visitors to come prepared with the water they’ll need for their visit. 

Will those with physical disabilities and young children have priority in seating areas?

Wherever possible we’ll do our best to prioritise those with physical disabilities. We’ve taken into account the spacing of our walkways to ensure access is suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, while ensuring that social distancing measures can still be maintained.