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Huntington House. 18 Huntington Road, York, YO31 8RB. Tel: (01904) 622755
Philip and Pauline Palfreyman

Helping to make your visit worthwhile and enjoyable

Huntington House can cater for groups of about fifty. Usually only one group uses the accommodation at any one time making the centre your own during your stay. The facilities are at your disposal all the time. Within the physical constraints of the building we are pleased to make arrangements to suit your need.

Bedrooms Children share bunk bedded rooms sleeping up to eight. Teachers have twin bedrooms. All the bedrooms have ensuite toilet, shower and washbasin. Staff have privacy and peace of mind knowing that children need not wander in the night. Bedlinen, consisting of duvets and sheets is provided. You will need your own toiletries and towels. The centre is fully carpeted and centrally heated.

Meals
Huntington House usually provides full board accommodation. Breakfast includes a hot dish for those who like this start to the day. Lunch is provided as a picnic, which can be taken with you or eaten at the centre.

The evening meal consists of three courses starting with soup followed by a home cooked main course and dessert. We have facilities for the making of refreshments throughout the day. And at bedtime. We also cater for those on special diets if you make your needs known to us in advance. The timing of the meals can be arranged to fit in with your programme.

Seating in the dining room is arranged at tables of eight. While there is no need to do any household chores this can be part of the experience if you want. Such tasks as making beds, setting tables or clearing up can be arranged.

Other Facilities The centre has a small sitting room.  A television with a video or DVD player is available. Outside mealtimes the dining room can be used for classroom work or recreation. There is a small garden which is pleasant to sit in when the sun shines. There is also a large park close by for energetic games.

Programme
Advice and help with planning the programme is available as part of our service if you wish. We can offer a draft general programme for your consideration or suggestions following a specific theme. We also offer to make bookings for you when the programme is complete.

Availability York is a popular place for school visits. In the Summer term many schools have to use accommodation many miles out of the city because of the demand. There are obvious advantages to visiting at this time but the attraction of visiting at other times are worth considering. The places of interest remain open throughout the year.

There are fewer regular tourists in the city making access through the streets and into the museums that much easier. The weather in late autumn and early Spring can be as good as Summer but if it is not the centre is convenient for drying out and warming up. As a very practical advantage we offer cheaper rates outside the summer term.

Booking
Normally the centre can be booked midweek (Monday to Friday), or a weekend (Friday to Sunday). Sunday night is available at a reduced rate if it is included with a midweek or weekend booking At certain times of the year it is possible to arrange single night or part week visits.

The tariff varies according to the season. It is quoted without vat as many schools pay net through their education authority. The figures are based on a minimum charge of thirty children. At quiet times of the year we can quote for groups of less than thirty. Reservations can be made up to twelve months in advance. The summer term is very popular and it is wise to book as early as you can to avoid disappointment.

Once a reservation is made a non returnable deposit of £10 per person is required within a short time to secure the booking. Cancellations within twelve weeks of the visit incur the full cost. It is advisable to take out insurance to cater for such an occurrence.

Please note that full payment is due by your day of departure. If you are paying through your authority it is necessary to make arrangement for payment some weeks before your visit.

Education Workshop (closed at present)
York is a fascinating educational resource. The Education Workshop at Huntington House is a facility that is available to teachers who wish to take advantage of our local knowledge.

In the light of our experience and in consultation with teachers over recent years we have developed a handful of studies that have proved worthwhile and enjoyable. We have literature and equipment to supplement the studies. You are free to use our stills and video cameras, clipboards and audio recorder to create a permanent reminder of the day, which you will take with you as reference for future study or presentation.

At present there are three self directing studies based in the city which each provide you with literature detailing what to look for and where to find it, background information and suggestions for investigation. There are also two guided studies for which you will need transport to take you out of the city. These studies take the form of a guided walk allowing a number of different and varied topics to be considered.

Stained Glass
A study of the development and techniques of the window colouring with reference to the superb examples to be seen in York churches and in the Minster.

Buildings
A study of the development of buildings and a look at some good examples of stone and timber framed buildings from early times. You will see the use of a wide range of materials used in buildings in some famous and curious streets of York.

Walls and Defences
Most of York is surrounded by the city wall, which can be walked to a great extent. The study will have a look at the different entrances to the city and some unusual constructions that can be seen as you go.

Malham Landscape Trail
A short guided walk, a little over four miles, in part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. You will see impressive limestone scenery, unequalled elsewhere in Britain. You will learn a little of the geology of the area, of farming, of woodland and waterfall and some of the history of Iron Age Settlers.

Brimham Rocks and Moor
A guided exploration of as National Trust site containing fascinating rock formations created in the Ice Age. You will learn how the rocks were created and how they came by their names. You will also see a number of birds and plants that are native to the area.

The charges are per person, ex vat for full board. The minimum charge is for thirty children. Four free places are available for staff. A deposit of £10 per child is required to secure a reservation.

Workshop (closed at present)
Self Directing £2.50 per child
Guided £5.00 per child

Includes all literature and use of the equipment and facility, but does not include VAT or any transport costs.

Huntington House For Colleges

In consultation with college and school tutors, Huntington House has made provision for residential visits by GNVQ students. This provision will be of particular benefit to students of Leisure and Tourism but will also be available to other courses as an aid to their particular study or for team building of familiarisation opportunities

Resources
The variety and size of tourist attractions give ample opportunity to students to experience many of the facets of the industry contained in a compact area, most within walking distance of the centre.

Huntington House can provide contact with these attractions. We can also provide current tourism and leisure statistics and trends as part of our "information library" of attractions and places of interest.

In addition we have a number of suggestions for studies that students could undertake.

Equipment
The centre has a facility for conference and group activity. We have equipment for stills and video photography (camera, TV, video) information gathering (tape recorder, clipboards etc.) and presentations (white board, flipchart easel, screen, projectors)

Accommodation
The centre will accommodate no other visitors during your stay, allowing complete access to the facility at all times. Most student groups will be accommodated in bedrooms sleeping two or three, with separate rooms for staff. All bedrooms have en suite facilities. We have noted tutors comments about suitable wardrobe space, the availability of an ironing board and iron, shaving points and well lit mirrors and we are attending to these requirements. Students are asked to bring their own toiletries and towels. You are not obliged to take full board accommodation. The timing of meals that you do take at the centre can be arranged to suit.

Availability
Huntington House is generally available to students from September to January for any length of stay during weekends or midweek. Outside this period there is greater demand on the centre but alternatives are possible.

College tariff 2009/2010
The cost is £26.50 per person per night. This includes the accommodation, breakfast and the use of the facility and equipment at Huntington House. Lunch and dinner are available by arrangement. One free staff place is available with twelve or more students, two free staff places with twenty students or more. A deposit of £10 per person will secure a reservation.

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