Festive Grotto at Dorich House Museum

Dorich House Museum is transforming our ground floor Plaster Studio into a festive grotto and welcoming children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and their siblings to meet Father Christmas.

• Each session is 30 minutes long.
• To keep the environment calm, there will be no more than three families in each session.
• Families are welcome to arrive before their session and/or to stay afterwards to enjoy creative and festive activities in our first floor Modelling Studio. You will also be able to explore the Museum.
• Please note that the Grotto opens at midday, so if you book the first slot you will not be able to arrive earlier.
• Final slots will be reserved for visitors with mobilty aids, when all activity moves to the lower levels.
• Our elves will be on hand to take photographs with your phones and cameras.
• Every child will receive a small gift.
• Festive dress is encouraged!

Booking

Please book one ticket per family (for example, two siblings along with parents/carers count as one ticket) and a Mobility Access ticket only if required. Please also provide details of all children and young people attending in the question boxes - this will be helpful for Father Christmas to connect with them. We ask that you aim to arrive for your booked slot but understand that things do not always go to plan! If running behind, we will do our best to fit you in as soon as possible, or when your child feels comfortable.

How to find us

By Train & Bus: From Kingston station take bus 85 or K3 from Cromwell Road bus station. From Putney Station take bus 85 (direction Kingston). The stop for Dorich House Museum is Woodview Close.

By Car: The Museum is on Kingston Vale, close to Robin Hood Roundabout on the A3. From the A3 take the A308 exit, marked Kingston. Free parking onsite.

By Bicycle: Bike racks are located at the rear of the building, designed by Fabien Cappello as part of the Stanley Picker Gallery Fellowship.

Accessibility

The museum is located over four floors. The grotto will be based on the ground floor, made accessible for wheelchair users via a back entrance, and our activity space will be located on the first floor Modelling Studio. There are 78 steps to the top floor, which is accessed via a narrow staircase. Please note that there are changes in the level of the steps, though we do have handrails. The museum currently has no wheelchair accessible toilets. Please feel welcome to contact us if you have any questions in advance of your visit.

For more information visit: https://www.dorichhousemuseum.org.uk/visit/ and AccessAble

Refreshments provided and personal snacks are welcome onsite (no nuts please).

For further information please contact Particpation Curator and Parent Carer Natalie Kay

This event is supported by our friends at Kingston Parent Carer Forum.

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Host or Publisher Dorich House Museum