Groups

Group Visits

We welcome group visits to the American Museum & Gardens with discounted admission available for groups of 10 people or more.

Groups have the option of choosing between our full admission ticket or our Gardens, American Garden Deli and Gift Shop only admission ticket. The full admission ticket allows entry to the entire site including the Museum (located in the Manor House), Special exhibitions, Gardens, American Garden Deli and Gift Shop.

For ticket prices, please select the drop down for Admission prices below. The Group Organizer and/or Coach Driver are entitled to free entry.

A member of staff will meet the group on arrival and payment can be made easily by the Group Organizer on the day. We accept cash, credit/debit card or cheque. Alternatively, we are happy to process an invoice after the visit if provided with name and address details for invoicing.

We also offer a range of additional activities for groups. See below for more information.

All activities, coaches, and group visits of 10 people or more must be booked in advance. Please use the form at the bottom of this page or contact us via email to [email protected] or by telephone on +44 (0)1225 460503 to book a group visit.

Garden Tours

We are able to offer guided Tours of the Gardens during normal opening hours, subject to availability, and at a cost of £5.50 per person plus group admission. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and are limited to a maximum of 10 people per tour, so larger groups will be divided into smaller tour groups with staggered start times. All tours must must be booked in advance.

Museum Tours

We are able to offer guided Tours of the Museum collection outside of normal opening hours, subject to availability, and at a cost of £5.50 per person plus group admission. Tours last a little over 1 hour and are limited to a maximum of 10 people per tour, so larger groups will be divided into smaller tour groups with staggered start times. All tours must start before 10:45am or after 3pm and must be booked in advance.

Textile Tour

The American Museum houses a world-famous collection of textiles, embroideries, weavings, prints, including a collection of over 200 historic quilts and rugs. If your group has a particular interest in cloth, then this specialized tour will be just the thing. Conducted by a knowledgeable member of our volunteer team, you will learn about a wide variety of pieces in our period rooms, including fabrics, construction and social history. The tour lasts approximately 1 ½ hours. Maximum group size is 10 people, but larger groups can be accommodated in back to back tours. All tours are subject to availability, at a cost of £5.50 per person plus group admission, and must be booked in advance.

Painting in America Tour

This tour focuses on a set of paintings in the Manor House and Folk Art Gallery from which we can tell the story of American art from the War of Independence to the end of the nineteenth century. American artists have been among leaders in the art world since the Second World War while earlier American painting was more provincial but fascinating in its own right. Our collection includes some famous artists such as world-renowned folk artist Grandma Moses. The tour lasts for approximately one hour, with a maximum group size of 10 people, though we can accommodate larger groups in back to back tours. Tours are subject to availability and cost £5.50 per person plus group admission and must be booked in advance.

Audio-Descriptive Tours

We also welcome groups who are blind or partially sighted. Specialized tours are arranged which last approximately 1 ½ hours. These include a dedicated guide and a selection of handling objects which enhance the descriptive tour. Wheelchairs can be accommodated. Maximum group size is 6 people, usually 3 blind or partially-sighted people and their helpers.

Collections up close: Curious about Quilts

We are also able to offer our Curious about Quilts sessions for those interested in an opportunity to view up close some of our quilts not on display and learn more about the history of quilt making in America. These sessions can be booked during normal opening hours, are subject to availability, and at a cost of £5.50 per person plus group admission. Sessions last approximately 1 hour and are limited to a maximum of 15 people per session, although larger groups can be accommodated with multiple sessions (allowing for approximately 1 between sessions for reset). All Curious about Quilts sessions must be booked in advance.