This year there are four different options for guided visits
on the Wednesday afternoon (when there is no scheduled teaching). These vary in
cost and transport arrangements. Each visit is described briefly here.
Students and companions have been asked to complete a form indicating which visit options they are interested in.
If we have more people interested in a certain visit than we
have capacity for this option we will draw the names of all those interested from
a hat to fill spaces. If we have several over-subscribed visits we will draw
from the most heavily over-booked visit first, and work on from this.
All visits arranged have much reduced costs
(Compton Verney) and/or are special visits not open to individual members of the public (Ribbon archive,
Weavers House and RSC). Note that the fee
for the visit will be collected when you register at Moreton Morrell.
There are many other visits which you could arrange for
yourself if you prefer. For example visiting Coventry Cathedral to see the
recently recleaned Graham Sutherland Tapestry, or visiting Toft Alpaca at Dunchurch, or simply
sight-seeing around Warwickshire.
OPTION A:
STRATFORD – ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY COSTUME DEPARTMENT
(guided talk)
This visit will give you an insight into the RSC’s remarkable costume department with a talk about the development of costume designs for specific productions across time.You will find about how design ideas are transformed into costumes. You will be able to see at close hand and handle (carefully) some exhibits. There will be time included to visit the RSC tower for views of the Warwickshire countryside too. A coach will collect and return you to Moreton Morrell.
STRATFORD – ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY COSTUME DEPARTMENT
(guided talk)
This visit will give you an insight into the RSC’s remarkable costume department with a talk about the development of costume designs for specific productions across time.You will find about how design ideas are transformed into costumes. You will be able to see at close hand and handle (carefully) some exhibits. There will be time included to visit the RSC tower for views of the Warwickshire countryside too. A coach will collect and return you to Moreton Morrell.
Limited to 40 students.
Cost is £25.
Suitable for all students, a lift is available to visit the tower.
Suitable for all students, a lift is available to visit the tower.
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OPTION B:
COMPTON VERNEY – THE ARTS AND CRAFTS HOUSE
(guided tours)
Compton Verney is a local and lovely stately home c2 miles from the college or a short car journey away. In 2015 the summer exhibitions are The Arts and Crafts House, the Hart Silversmiths exhibition and the garden where Dan Pearson is commissioned to create a parterre in the form of a William Morris design. Our students will have admittance to the House (all exhibitions) with guided tour of these and the Arts and Crafts garden.
Tour times may be staggered through the afternoon with a guide for each group.
Suitable for all students, drop off nearer to the house can be arranged to
minimise walking time.
OPTION C:
COVENTRY – SILK RIBBON ARCHIVE & GUILDHOUSE TAPESTRY
(guided tour + minibus)
From the 1700s to the 1860s about half of Coventry's population were involved in ribbon weaving. The Herbert Art Gallery collection includes sample books dating from 1805-1811, thousands of samples and archive material and equipment. This visit will take you to the ‘Cathedral quarter’ of Coventry where the Herbert Art Gallery and the St Mary’s Guildhouse are located. Students will spend time in the silk ribbon collection archive (8 per visit, two visits as the room is small) and be able to talk with museum staff about these exhibits. The museum has other related exhibits including an impressive jacquard loom, costume and fabrics. The other planned part of this visit is a guided tour of nearby St Mary’s Guildhall with its 500 year old tapestry. You could opt to visit the Cathedral briefly (there is no admittance charge for the old cathedral but a charge of £6 for the new Cathedral).
Limited to 16 students. Cost is £12.
Note that there is a short walk over an uneven cobblestone surface.
There are stairlifts available within the guildhall.
OPTION D:
COVENTRY – WEAVERS HOUSE
(guided + self-drive/car share)
COVENTRY – WEAVERS HOUSE
(guided + self-drive/car share)
This is a visit on a more intimate scale, to learn about the
reconstructed Weaver’s House in
Coventry’s Spon End, guided by an expert on the house, the dyers garden and the loom there. Parking is at Coventry IKEA (10 minutes walk
from the Weaver’s House and within Coventry centre). You will be met and guided
via the historic Spon Street to the venue. This option is particularly suited
for those who want a short visit or would like to combine this with seeing
Coventry Cathedral (Graham Sutherland tapestry) – an extra charge applies and
further walking or change of parking venue.
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Limited to 12 students.
Cost is £4 per person (as donation to the Weaver’s House Trust).
Short walk from parking (see above). Access to the weaver’s loft is by a ladder staircase.
