Groups and Private Tours

An excellent introduction, the tour tells the story of Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and their family and friends, from their arrival at the house in 1916 to the foundation of the Charleston Trust in the 1980s.  Suitable for groups of up to 50, with tours of up to 10 visitors per guide starting at the same time but from different points in the house.

This tour examines the lives of the sisters, Vanessa Bell the painter, and Virginia Woolf the writer, who stood at the centre of the Bloomsbury group. The tour begins in the kitchen, not usually visited in our standard tour. Suitable for small groups of up to 20; groups over 10 will be split into two groups, with one group starting their tour twenty minutes after the other.

From sunrise to sunset, explore the details of a working day at Charleston. This tour includes a visit to the kitchen where Grace Higgens – Charleston’s housekeeper – would begin her day. Suitable for small groups of up to 20; groups over 10 will be split into two groups, with one group starting their tour twenty minutes after the other.

This tour explores the arrival of Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and their unusual household at Charleston in 1916. Journey through the trials and triumphs of life at Charleston during World War 1. This tour includes the House Kitchen. Suitable for small groups of up to 20; groups over 10 will be split into two groups, with one group starting their tour twenty minutes after the other.

We can offer the The Charleston Tour, followed by a glass of wine and nibbles in the Charleston shop.

While our space for talks is limited until the completion of our Centenary Project, our Head of Curatorial Services, Dr. Darren Clarke, is pleased to offer lectures at your group’s meeting place
in advance of your visit.  These talks are about 50 minutes + questions and run on the following themes:

• Unseen Charleston – The story of the Bloomsbury group at Charleston and how it became the iconic house that it is today
• Bloomsbury and World War II – Life at Charleston in WW2 and the different activities that Bell and Grant were involved in
• Virginia Woolf and Charleston – An exploration of Charleston and one of literature’s greatest modernists

Charleston works regularly with artists to put on a range of creative workshops. See our events programme for upcoming workshops at Charleston for a sense of the kind of workshops we run. It may be possible to book something similar for your group or school; please get in touch if you are interested in finding out more.

Charleston offers this exclusive group visit in partnership with Farleys House and Gallery. A full day of exciting and personal insights into the lives, art and homes of the Bloomsbury group at Charleston and the Surrealists at Farleys. Between the two houses a magnificent picture of almost a century of British modern art is conjured up. Lunch at the nearby Cricketers’ Arms in Berwick completes the package.

For more information and to book – visit Farleys House and Gallery website

• Wednesday – Saturday : Morning Visits are available with tours before 11:30am (depending on group size and date of visit; times are earlier for large groups and in our peak season). Evening Visits take place with arrival from 4:00pm depending on group size.
• Monday and Tuesday : Bespoke visits, subject to £250 private opening fee and availability.
• Sunday : No group visits available.

If you choose refreshments, we recommend arrival 30 minutes prior to your tour. If you do not choose refreshments, arrival should be 15 minutes prior to your tour time.

There is free parking for coaches on site in our main car park.

We welcome visitors with access needs but for group visits it is very helpful for us to know in advance of any requirements so we can help ensure all visitors have the best possible experience.  Access information can be found at the bottom of our visitor information page here.

Tours	Tour length	Price per person	Min. Cost
The Charleston Tour	1 hour	£11.50	£115.00
Extended Tours (up to 20 persons)	80 minutes	£15.00	£150.00

There is a group leader discount available for groups of 15 people or more. Please ask the Visitor Manager or Assistant Visitor Manager for more information.

Refreshments All catering must be booked in advance for the whole group	Price per person
Tea, Coffee and Biscuits (up to 50)	£3.00
Tea, Coffee and Cake (up to 30)	£6.00
Tea, Coffee and Pastries (up to 30)	£6.00
Wine and Nibbles after Evening Tour (up to 50)	£7.00

Additional Options	Time allowed	Flat Rate Charge
Visiting Lecture by Curator Subject to availability, within 30 mile radius of Charleston; additional travel expenses will be required for visits further afield.	50 minutes	£150.00
Creative Workshops Subject to availability; please enquire.	Bespoke	On request