College of Optometrists

Group visits

Group Tours (usually between 8 and 25 persons) may choose from one of two options (basic or full). 

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Basic Option

Groups visit the Museum Gallery (Sutcliffe Room and Giles Room) only.  Admission is free but donations are invited.

You will see our permanent exhibition highlighting the vast range of our collections and showcasing some of the College's treasures. The displays are constantly evolving and there are also temporary exhibition cases on diverse topics.

The Museum Gallery may be visited by members of the general public, free of charge but strictly by advance appointment.

We are able to accommodate visitors between 9.30am-5pm from Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays). Last appointment 5.00pm. Accompanied children are welcome but please bear in mind that this is a working building. All visits are supervised by a member of Museum staff who will be pleased to answer your questions or supply further information on any relevant historic topic.

The Sutcliffe and Giles Rooms are quite small. An average visit lasts around 20-25 minutes. If choosing only the 'Basic' option group organisers may wish to combine a visit to the BOA Museum with a visit to another attraction, such as the Benjamin Franklin House in the same street. We can offer advice on this.

The rooms can only reasonably accommodate about twenty persons at a time. Larger groups may visit successfully if they are prepared to divide.

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Full Option

Groups visit the Museum Gallery (Sutcliffe Room and Giles Room), the College Meeting Rooms (Print Room, Panelled Room, Council Room and ante-chamber) and the BOA Library. The visit includes an introductory talk and a chance to see and handle some objects not normally on display. An Admission Fee is charged. 

You will see our permanent exhibition in the Sutcliffe Room and Giles Room, highlighting the vast range of our collections and showcasing some of the College's treasures. The displays are constantly evolving and there are also temporary exhibition cases on diverse topics.

The prestige meeting rooms of the College include the Council Chamber with ante-room, the Panelled Room and Print Room. They contain many of the College's finest paintings, prints, furniture and items of decorative art. You will be taken on a tour of these rooms guided by the Curator.

You can book a 'Full' Option Group Visit for any time between 9.30am-5pm from Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays)  but, because these rooms are in frequent use, the number of available appointments is strictly limited.

We can tailor your 'Full' Option Group visit to last any length between 1 hour and 2.5 hours.

£5 per person (no concessions; College Fellows and Members free).

Contact us to discuss specially themed tours, special interest handling sessions, out-of-hours tours or if you would like catering.

Check out our facilities

Book your appointment

The Museum welcomes all potential users. Please refer to our Standards of Service

"I am writing to thank you once again for your efforts last week in taking our small group of ladies around the College and Museum. You really are to be congratulated because we found it a fascinating, informative and enjoyable tour. You managed to pitch it just right for us...I found examining all your art works, collections and treasures across a wide range of craft skills, but all with your very special theme, an interesting experience which quite bowled me over". (DR, March 2012)