1. art and entertainment
2. shows and events
3. exhibition

Compton Verney
Group Organisers Guide 2015
Warwickshire’s award-winning art gallery
Group benefits:
• Priority admission
• Free admission for organisers
• Free welcome talk
• Exclusive tours
• Free coach and car parking
•Free admission for coach drivers
• Special offers in the shop
Looking ahead
A unique day out
2015 exhibitions
Canaletto:
Celebrating Britain
Spring 2015 exhibition
Sat 14 March – Sun 14 June 2015
This exhibition spotlights the paintings
and drawings which Canaletto executed
between 1746 – 1755, when the great
Italian master chose to come to Britain
and painted the latest British architecture
and engineering. The result was a series of
astonishing canvases which celebrated a
newly-confident and patriotic Britain.
Compton Verney is an award-winning art gallery housed in a Grade I listed mansion.
Set in 120 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown parkland within the beautiful Warwickshire
countryside, Compton Verney is a unique day out for your group.
2015 Season
Sat 14 March – Sun 13 December
Opening times
20
Adm 15
is
p r ic sio n
es
Tues – Sun and Bank Holiday Mons, 11am – 5pm.
Exclusive early opening for groups by arrangement.
Ticket Type
Price
Collections and grounds
£6.00
Exhibition, collections and grounds
£8.00
Tours
£3.00
‘‘
Everyone was so
pleasant, helpful
and informative,
indeed we could
not fault our visit...
Rotary Wives visit,
August 2014
‘‘
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. During your visit
you can stroll around our parkland with its accessible and restored
pathways and enjoy our six permanent collections of art from
around the world. Your visit will start with a free introductory talk,
when your group will find out about how Compton Verney turned
from stately home to a derelict building and then into the gallery
you see today. We offer special discounted rates for groups on
admission and pre-booked catering in our restaurant.
Left: Canaletto (attrib), A Self-Portrait with St Paul’s in the
background, 1746, Oil on canvas Anglesey Abbey, The
Fairhaven Collection (The National Trust) © NTPL/Chris Titmus
Below: E.H. New, The Manor House, Kelmscott, from the Front
Gate © The Wilson Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum
The Arts and tours
Crafts House:
Then and Now
How long should we stay?
E x hi
To get the most from your trip to Compton
Verney we suggest that you allow at least three
hours. However, if your group has less time
then you can take advantage of one of our
dedicated hour long group tours.
Summer 2015 exhibition
• Perfect for the art or culture lover
Sat 27 June – Sun 13 September 2015
• Beautiful and tranquil grounds
Encounter the spirit of The Arts and Crafts
House with this celebration of historic and
contemporary design. From the Garden to
the Dining Room, this exhibition explores the
Movement’s fascination with the creation of
the Home and its continued influence today.
• Welcoming and knowledgeable team
• Peaceful and relaxing day out
2
• Tasty refreshments in our Café
and Restaurant
4
n
ble
Why should you visit?
• Easy access throughout
Prices include: Free welcome talk, priority admission,
free car parking and free organisers ticket.
b it i o
avai
la
3
Looking ahead
Explore our
2015 exhibitions
Collections
Periodic Tales: Art of the Elements
Compton Verney is home to six fine and decorative art collections,
of national and international importance.
Sat 3 October – Sun 13 December 2015
Chinese Redisplayed for 2015
Marx-Lambert Collection
Designated as an outstanding collection and one
of national importance. Works date from 1700 BC
to 220 AD.
Enid Marx was one of Britain’s most important
twentieth century designers. The works in this
collection are her own designs alongside Folk Art
objects she collected throughout her life with her
friend Margaret Lambert.
The iconic periodic table represents the ultimate expression
of order, containing the volatile elements in rows and
columns. From the ancient lustre of gold to the
modern fluorescence of neon, artists have taken
us beyond the confines of the table to explore
the rich cultural symbolism of the elements.
Experience the elements in unique
and unexpected ways
with Periodic Tales.
Naples
Religious works by Bernardo Cavallino, Francesco
Solimena, exploding volcanoes by Volaire and
Lacroix plus works by Fabris, Bonito and Vanvitelli.
Northern European
Sculpture and painting from 1450 – 1600 with
works by Cranach, Schongauer, Hans Thomas
and Tilman Riemenschneider.
British Portraits
Portraits of British Kings, Queens and political
figures plus works by important British artists such
as Sir Joshua Reynolds.
British Folk Art
Antony Gormley, FUSE, 2011, Cast iron.
Photograph by Stephen White, London. Courtesy White Cube
Kern Baby
In the Grounds for 2015
Sat 14 March onwards
See Faye Claridge’s giant enigmatic new
commission for the park. Kern Baby has
been conceived as a symbol of rural
customs based on the photographic
work of Sir Benjamin Stone.
Kern baby\ A doll or image decorated with corn
(grain) flowers, etc., carried in the festivals of a kern,
or harvest-home. Called also harvest queen.
4
Benjamin Stone, Kern bay, ‘The Beltan or
Baal Fires of Northumberland’ 1903.
© Benjamin Stone Photographic Collection
The largest collection of British Folk Art in the
country, the term ‘folk art’ describes work
produced by people with no formal art training.
Exhibit
ion
tourbsle
availa
Group tours
All last approx. one hour.
Collection highlights tour
This tour focuses on selected works from each of
our six permanent collections. You will find out
about the history behind the works and gain a
broad overview of our collections. This is perfect
for first time visitors and those who prefer a formal
introduction to Compton Verney.
Grounds tour
Discover our history from medieval settlement to
art gallery. This tour enables you to take in the
`Capablity’ Brown landscape whilst learning about
the past inhabitants, designs for the grounds,
ancient trees and a multitude of wildlife.
Dependent on weather.
5
Making a group booking
Shopping at
Compton Verney
Booking information
Bookings must be made at least two weeks
before your visit. To book please complete
the enclosed booking form. No other offers
or discounts can be used.
The gallery shop offers a wide range of
products from prints and postcards to gifts
for all the family.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate
to contact Emily on:
Our ranges change constantly so you will
always find a unique present or a lovely
treat for yourself.
Group Bookings,
Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ
T. 01926 645 516 F. 01926 645 501
E. [email protected]
An exclusive shop offer is available to group
visitors during 2015 and details will be given
in your introductory talk.
Menus designed for groups
Group price per head
Morning coffee
Group price per head
Hot buffet
£12.95
£1.95
Filter Tea/Coffee/Biscuits £2.95
Fisherman’s pie, chunks of fresh fish,
watercress, sliced egg and seasonal vegetables
£5.95
Grilled pork sausages with onion gravy and
creamed mashed potatoes
Confirmation of your booking will be issued in writing on
receipt of your booking form.
•
Prices are based on a discount on concessionary
admission price and no further reductions are available.
•
A single payment is necessary for an entire group in order
to qualify for the group rates
Filter Tea/Coffee Handmade Scones,
Jam and Clotted Cream
Five spiced chicken, crispy beansprouts, cashew
nuts, carrot ribbons, coriander cress and lime oil
•
Payment for admission – by cheque (payable to Compton
Verney House Trust) or debit/credit card by the group
leader at the Shop upon arrival
Cold Buffet £8.95
Homemade Parmigiana – layers of
Mediterranean vegetables in a tomato sauce (v)
•
Payment will be for numbers confirmed in advance
Includes selection of homemade sandwiches,
mini Fowlers of Earlswood cheese quiches (v),
mini Melton Mowbray pork pies with piccalilli,
hand cut crisps, Chef’s tray bake selection and
fresh fruit platter.
All lunch options include tea,
coffee and jugs of iced water.
Planning a Christmas outing?
Our bookings team will be happy to
discuss festive menus with you.
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Payment and confirmation
Filter Tea/Coffee Cream Tea
How
to
book
Tagliatelle, sun blushed tomatoes, black olives,
roasted artichoke hearts, pecorino and rocket (v)
Dessert Selection
£4.95
Sticky toffee pudding
Traditional lemon tart
White and dark chocolate cheesecake
Pre-book your catering ensures that your group recieves
priority service. If available, you may also be served in one
of our private dinning rooms.
•
Payment for catering – by separate cheque or debit/
credit card by the group leader group leader in the
Restaurant (cheques made payable to CH&CO).
Payment will be for numbers confirmed in advance.
•Any additional purchases outside the set menu options
must be paid for individually.
Sales support
Our group booking team can help you promote and sell
your group trips with free leaflets, posters and itineraries.
Please let us know what you need.
View our introductory video available at
www.comptonverney.org.uk
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Enjoy your visit
Visitor information
Parking and access
How to get here
From the main car park there is a ten minute
walk to the Gallery. Please let us know if any of
your group have mobility difficulties and we will
arrange transport to the Gallery.
By road Compton Verney is situated 9 miles
south east of Stratford-upon-Avon on the
B4086 between Wellesbourne and Kineton and
is 10 minutes drive from the M40 junction 12.
Please follow the brown signs.
By rail Nearest stations are Leamington Spa,
Banbury or Stratford, approx 25 minute drive
from each. For further details of train times
www.chilternrailways.co.uk
If your party is arriving in individual cars and meeting
at Compton Verney there is disabled parking in the
main car park and limited spaces at the front of the
gallery for blue badge holders. You can also drop
visitors off at the Gallery.
Large-print guides, portable seating and wheelchairs
are available. Assistance dogs are welcome. The
building is fully accessible throughout with lifts to all
floors. Disabled toilets are also available on all floors.
Approx Driving times from:
Stratford 20 mins
Warwick Banbury 20 mins
B’ham Airport 45 mins
20 mins
Birmingham 45 mins
Oxford Northampton 1hr
Cheltenham 1hr
50 mins
Cambridge London 1hr 40 mins
Bath 1hr 50 mins Heathrow 1hr 50 mins
Gatwick
2hr 30 mins
2hr 15 mins
Warwick
Birmingham
Liverpool Leamington Spa
A4
Southam
25
B4
45
5
15
14
13
08
12
B4
StratfordUpon-Avon
7
A429
Edinburgh
1hr 50 mins
B41
Wellesbourne
A423
Free coach parking is provided in the main car park.
Coaches cannot drop off at the Gallery owing to
weight restrictions on the Adam Bridge. A shuttle
service is available.
00
Liverpool
40
M
Kineton
Bath
sse
Cheltenham
Cardiff
Cambridge
Fo
Stratford-upon-Avon
Coventry
Warwick
Compton
Verney
Oxford
W
ay
B40
Birmingham
86
A42
2
Banbury
11 Oxford
& London
London
Compton Verney
Warwickshire
CV35 9HZ
T. 01926 645 516
[email protected]
www.comptonverney.org.uk
Registered charity no. 1032478
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