Skip to navigation | Skip to main content | Skip to footer
Menu
Search the University of Manchester siteSearch Menu StaffNet

Best year yet for group visits to Tabley House

10 Dec 2013

The counting is done, the figures are in and yes, 2013 season was the best year yet for group visits to the Tabley House Collection.

Tabley House, Knutsford (c)Yvonne Metcalf 2011

The number of groups visiting jumped by 44% this year, as a result of a concerted marketing campaign in early 2013 including a new group leaflet, advertising and targeted mail shots.

Groups have travelled from as far away as London and Lincolnshire in the South, Kendal in the North and Sheffield to the East. The largest groups reached a coachload of 50 and the smallest a group of eight ladies from Stockport. One local group even came twice as they had so many people wanting to see inside.

Comments from unsolicited thank-you letters included:

  • “Thank you so much for arranging our guided tour of Tabley last Saturday. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and both guides were excellent. You and your team work so hard and we really appreciate it and will continue to tell others about Tabley the hidden gem.” DH, Northwich
  • “We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Tabley House on Tuesday. The picture collection was particularly commented upon and the guides were excellent and made our visit very much come to life.” SB, Nantwich
  • “I am writing to thank you for the excellent hospitality during our visit to Tabley House this week. All our members thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon and I must mention the very good afternoon team!” DC, Oswestry

Clare Pye, Chair of The Tabley House Collection Trust, and also one of the very knowledgeable tour guides, says: “As one of the smaller attractions in the Knutsford, East Cheshire area, The Tabley House Collection is a bit of a hidden gem. This is why it has been such a delight this year to welcome so many groups to enjoy one of the best painting collections in Cheshire and one of the most stunning Georgian interiors. Many group members comment on the amount to take in and we hope that some of them will return under their own steam in coming years.”

The Tabley House Collection offers a range of guided and special themed tours and study days to suit generalists or those with a particular interest in art, architecture, local history and life on a country estate.

Members of University staff can visit The Tabley House Collection for free (on production of a staff card). Tabley House is open between April and October in the afternoons from Thursday to Sunday and on Bank Holidays.

Further information

If you are interested in finding out more: