Every visit to Blithewold is unique. We’re eager to work with you to create an experience which is perfectly suited for your group. Blithewold welcomes groups of all sizes to enjoy a visit to the Manor, Gardens, and Grounds. We offer self-guided and guided tours which may be customized. There is a discount available for groups of eight or more people.
Self-Guided visits: Maps of the Grounds are provided at the Visitor Center with an orientation. There are docents in the Manor House to assist with answering questions and each room is equipped with informational panels. An optional audio tour is available to temporarily download with additional details and historical photos on guest cell phones.
Guided Tours: Our knowledgeable tour guides lead groups of up to 20 people through the Manor House and Grounds on a 90 to 120-minute tour. They provide an insight into the VanWickle-McKee family, and how and why they built this magnificent estate. The tour of the grounds typically extends to the gardens, the Bamboo Grove, the Summerhouse, and our Lord and Burnham Greenhouse Complex. Larger groups are divided among additional tour
guides.
The Kitchen at Blithewold: Whether you are joining us for a guided or self-guided tour, our kitchen is ready to provide your group with plenty of options for a meal in the Dining Room or a quick snack on one of our porches!
You are also welcome to bring a picnic lunch for your group and some time at our picnic tables or spread out on the Great Lawn.
Other Experiences: In addition to guided and self-guided tours of the Blithewold property, we can also help you facilitate workshops, plein air art sessions, special holiday events, costumed interpreter tours, or other special
experiences for your group.
Booking Procedure
- Upon receipt of your inquiry, our Group Experience Team will reach out with more information about which experiences are available.
- Once specifics, such as the date of the event and experience package are decided, the Group Experience Agreement will be sent to your group contact. Please sign and return the Group Experience Agreement with the required $50 deposit as soon as possible to reserve the date and time of your tour.
- Changes to the planned itinerary are permitted up to two weeks prior to the tour when the remaining balance and final group count are due.
Cancellation Policy
- Should the tour be canceled, by either party, two or more weeks prior to the event the $50 deposit will be refunded to the booking group.
- In the event of a cancellation within the two weeks prior to the tour, Blithewold reserves the right to keep the deposit.
- Blithewold reserves the right to postpone or reschedule the tour for the safety and security of visitors and staff, including but not limited to, events of severe weather and otherwise unsafe conditions.
Parking
- Unless specified prior to the group’s arrival, all cars should park in the main parking lot or the adjoining overflow parking on the grass.
- Handicap parking spaces are located in front of the Visitors Center and near the Manor House’s Staff Entrance.
- Buses and large vehicles are to park in the designated space to the left of the parking lot, beside the Visitor Center.
- Buses and large vehicles must be off the property no later than 3 PM Friday through Sunday, from May to October unless otherwise specified prior to the group’s arrival.
Arrival Procedure
- Groups should check in at the Visitors Center upon arrival on-site.
- If there is any remaining balance which is due, please pay it in a single transaction at this time. Payment on the day of the event is only acceptable with the prior authorization of the Group Experience team.
- In the case of a guided tour, unless otherwise specified, the tour guide will meet the group at the Visitors Center.
- Blithewold must be notified of any changes in the established itinerary, such as arriving earlier or later than anticipated, prior to the group’s arrival.
Accessibility
- The Visitors Center and Gift Shop at Blithewold
- The Visitors Center building is fully accessible with ADA-compliant restrooms located inside. There is an all-terrain wheelchair that is available for use upon request.
- The Manor House
- The front entrance is accessible via a ramp. There is a small lip in the doorway that should be noted to avoid tripping. A smaller ramp may be requested to assist with this transfer in the event it is needed.
- The First Floor is level with some raised thresholds between the Family Side of the Manor House and the staff side of the Manor House. There is a powder room next to the front entrance. This restroom is not ADA accessible but is available upon request for guests who are unable to traverse stairs.
- The Second Floor is only accessible via the stairs as there is no elevator in the House. Audio and notebook tours complete with photos of the rooms are available for guests who are unable to climb the stairs.
- The staff entrance, located at the side of the Manor House, opposite the Moongate, is accessible via a permanent ramp and has an ADA-compliant restroom located just inside the door.
- The Grounds
- The majority of the paths on the Blithewold Grounds are composed of 80% semi-loose gravel. This typically does not pose an issue to foot travel, though wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers with thinner (non-all-terrain) wheels tend to have difficulty with this terrain.
- The different path materials, and the lengths of the paths, are marked on the map if your group requires this information.
- There are benches to rest on throughout the property which are marked on the map to help you plan the best route for your group.
What form do I fill out?
Map of the Blithewold Property
