John Bunyan Museum
Education at the John Bunyan Museum
Preparing for a Visit
GENERAL POINTS
We suggest any
teacher planning a visit should try to visit the site in advance and to look
at both the Museum and Bunyan Meeting Free Church itself. Bunyan Meeting is
still a church and visitors will need to be flexible if services are taking
place.
Please use the following notes to help you plan and book your visit:
ADDRESS
Bunyan Meeting Free Church
Mill Street
Bedford MK40 3EU
CONTACT
Bunyan Meeting
Church Office
Tel: 01234 213722
Fax: 01234 213722
MUSEUM OPENING TIMES
10 - 2.30 pm (last entry) for school groups Tues-Fri
11 - 4.00 pm for general public Tues-Sat
FEES
Please contact the Church Office for current prices.
BOOKING
Teachers
planning a class visit should make a telephone booking to reserve a space for
their group at least a week in advance, and should indicate the number of
children in the group, the number of accompanying adults and the areas of the
site they wish to work in. A maximum number of 30 children, in groups of ten,
can be accommodated in the Museum at any one time. It is possible to bring two
classes if one class works in the Church while the other is in the Museum.
There should be one accompanying adult for every 10 children.
The restricted space in the Museum means that only a limited number of school groups can be accommodated. Early booking is therefore advised.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Church and Museum are in Mill Street, which can be reached from The
Embankment via Newnham Road.
PARKING
There is
parking for cars close to the site in Castle Lane. There are parking bays
reserved for disabled drivers.
COACHES
Coaches should leave parties at the rear of Bunyan Meeting Free Church in
Castle Lane and pick up at the same point.
ASSEMBLY AREA
Church
gardens
COATS AND BAGS
Facilities
are available for storing clothing/bags.
WHEELCHAIRS
There is a platform lift to the Museum on the first floor. This means the site
is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know in advance if you wish to use the
lift.
TOILETS
Toilet
facilities, including wheelchair-accessible toilets, are available on site.
SHOP
There is a small shop at the entrance to the Museum, selling books, useful
publications, gifts, postcards and small souvenirs, some at pocket money
prices.
FOOD
There is a
room equipped with tables and chairs which can be used for lunch. In fine
weather the children can eat in the grounds of the Castle Mound opposite the
Museum, although teachers must take responsibility for the safety of the
children, as there is access to a busy road through the open gates.
RESEARCH FACILITIES
There is a Library situated on site which can be made available to teachers
provided they book in advance. Some of the books listed in the
bibliography can be found there.
WORKING
ON SITE
Children can
draw and sketch on site, using dry materials only.
THINGS YOU MAY NEED
Depending on the nature of your visit, you may wish to bring:
- photocopied worksheets
- clipboards
- pencils
- drawing paper and writing paper
Produced by IT Unit
Bedford Borough Council