These Special showings provide opportunities for youth groups of up to sixty people to have the Museum to themselves at times when it is not open to the public. A group can then enjoy seeing the exhibits at leisure without being distracted by other visitors. A special showing normally lasts about two hours.
Youth groups are: Youth or School groups aged 7 to 16 [except for leaders/supervision]
A minimum payment of £40.00 payable at the time of booking, covers up to ten people in one party. This payment, which is to cover basic overhead expenses, can be refunded only if written cancellation is received by the Museum not less than four weeks before the proposed date for the special showing.
An additional charge of £2.50 per head will be made for parties exceeding 10 in number up to a maximum of sixty. (The maximum number is set by considerations of comfort and safety.) This payment is due (in one sum) at the time of admission, but it can be made in advance if preferred.
This rate is only available to Youth or School groups aged 7 to 16 [except for leaders/supervision].
Special showings can be arranged. On weekdays, from Monday to Friday inclusive - starting between 10.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m.; On Saturday and Sunday mornings, starting between 10.30 and 11.00a.m. - throughout the year except December.
Exceptions are our Public Opening dates/times, which can be found on our current leaflet, and
on the website
Here
Supervision
Close and adequate supervision is necessary at all times if children are to gain real educational
benefit from a visit. The Museum insists on the following ratio of adult supervisors to children,
made up of teachers, volunteers and parents.
7 to 11 years - 1 adult to each 5/6 children
11 to 16 years - 1 adult to each 10/12 children
A group leader must be in overall charge of the party and, for safety reasons; children may not move unsupervised between sections of the Museum. Museum staff must not be expected to supervise children directly.
Most of the exhibits are about 1.4 metres above floor level. For this and other reasons, the exhibition is not considered suitable for children under seven years of age.
Information for Disabled or Mobility-impaired Visitors
Are there any disabled or mobility-impaired members of your group?
Viewing Pendon Museum takes 30-90 mins and requires walking and standing, we do have a chairlift to gain access to the 1st floor.
If your party includes disabled or mobility-impaired people, please discuss this with us at an early stage; we will do our best to help, and if required we can make arrangements for seating & extra staff.
Most of our exhibits are at a height of about 1.4 metres (4ft 6in) above floor level, and the view from a wheel chair is consequently restricted. The Museum is on two floors, and there is limited access to the upper floor Vale Scene, which includes the model village, for disabled visitors via a wheelchair lift.
Handrails are provided on the stairs leading to and from this upper floor.
Pendon is a viewing experience with some exhibits positioned at high level, limiting viewing for small children and those in wheelchairs.
Pendon Museum acknowledges the assistance of the Adapt Trust in providing the new wheelchair lift.
Toilets
There are adequate toilet facilities available.
Location.
The Museum is at the west end of the High Street in the village of Long Wittenham about 3 miles
north-north-east of Didcot, (at National Grid reference SU541 935) and is approached from Didcot or
Wallingford (off the A4130 or from Clifton Hampden (off A415)) There are brown signs on the approach
roads. We can provide a map showing the precise location of the Museum.
Travel to Pendon; parking
Coaches and minibuses seating ten or more people, including the driver, require special authority
to use High Street (West) which leads to the Museum, the use of which is governed by formal
traffic orders made by the local authority. If members of your party are coming in a vehicle that
requires a permit, we shall need to know the name of the owner of the vehicle and its seating
capacity. This information must be given when the booking is confirmed. The necessary permit
can then be issued and the driver must have it in his or her possession for the journey and to
park the coach at the Museum.
Cars and minibuses with seats for not more than nine people (including the driver) require no special
permission and can be left in the Museum car park.
Bringing a vehicle with ten or more seats into High Street (West) without a permit constitutes a
traffic offence.
If members of your party are travelling individually by car, it will help if they can arrive in good
time. The showing takes the form of a conducted tour, and late arrivals can cause problems.
High Street (West) is defined as the High Street west of the junction with Didcot Road.
Catering And Refreshments
The museum has a simple catering facility providing a selection of hot and cold drinks, confectionery
and biscuits. A large room with chairs can be made available for groups wishing to bring their own
food for an indoor picnic, either as part of a planned itinerary or as a back-up in case of inclement
weather.
Museum shop
Postcards and souvenirs, books, and modelling items are on sale in the Museum shop, which is open during special showings. Freshly made hot drinks, cold drinks, confectionery, and biscuits are also on sale in the shop. We regret that no other refreshments are available at the Museum. A room is, however, available (by prior arrangement) in which members of a group can eat their own food. Snacks and bar meals are provided by the public house in Long Wittenham, the Plough which is not far from the Museum.
Applications.
Applications for special showings should be made in writing to the Special shows organiser at the
Museum. To avoid disappointment, bookings should be made at least three weeks in advance of a
proposed visit. Please give daytime or evening telephone number where you can be contacted.
