Frequently Asked Questions
Hand Sewing and Quilting at Goodnestone

7-15 October 2020

DATES AND TIMINGS

The retreat begins at 9.30am (TBC) on Wednesday 7th October. We will meet our coach driver in the car park at The Petersham Hotel in Richmond-upon-Thames (address below).  

We anticipate our return to The Petersham Hotel in Richmond to be around 6pm on Thursday 15th October when the Tour ends. 

You might like to come to London a day or two before the start of the retreat or stay on afterwards. There are plenty of airport and central London hotels to choose from or you might prefer to base yourself in Richmond-upon-Thames, southwest London, so that you are in place to meet up on Wednesday morning.  The closest airport is London Heathrow (12 miles/30-45 minutes by taxi from Richmond). London Gatwick lies about one hour south of Richmond. 

Victorian splendor meets first class hospitality at The Petersham, a 4-star family-run hotel. You’ll enjoy the elegant rooms, old-fashioned service and breathtaking views over the meandering river Thames. If you take the underground or overground from Richmond station, you can be in central London in 30 mins. We recommend that you book directly with The Petersham at enq@petershamhotel.co.uk or via one of the intermediary agents. 

Other hotels in Richmond include the Richmond Hill Hotel and TheBingham. Alternatively, you can stay at the Travelodge in Richmond-upon-Thames for an extremely reasonable rate. The rooms are simple but it is clean, modern and very centrally located. 

If you scroll down to the foot of this page you will find some information about Richmond-upon-Thames including a list of suggested restaurants and what there is to do and see in the area.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Airport transfers are not included in the Retreat so you will need to find your own way to The Petersham car park for our 9.30am departure on Wednesday 7th October.   You can take a taxi or book a private car via Parker Cars who offer a personal service at a reasonable price. You can contact them at bookings@parkercarservice.com  or on 0044 (0) 20 856 0000.  

If you are coming to Richmond by train or underground, the station is approximately 15 minutes walk from The Petersham. There is a taxi rank outside the station or you can take the no 65 bus (direction Kingston) which stops right outside The Petersham. ‬

ACCOMMODATION IN KENT

Goodnestone Park
Goodnestone
Canterbury 
CT3 1PL

Read about the facilities at Goodnestone here
goodnestone.com

Money

How can I withdraw money?

The nearby village of Aylesham has an ATM and Post office which offers currency exchange. There are also many ATMs in Canterbury. We will be happy to stop for you to withdraw cash during one of our trips out.

How much extra money will I need?

If you decide to stay extra nights at the start or end of the retreat you will need to budget for anything between £50-£200 per night for accommodation and £15-£20 for dinner. Accommodation, transport, tuition, workshops and most meals are included in the retreat. Three lunches are at guests’ cost. Fabrics are extra. Most shops and restaurants will take credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) but having some cash on you, say £75, would be useful.

Can I use my credit card?

Mastercard and Visa cards are widely accepted in the UK in shops and restaurants. AMEX cards are not accepted everywhere so you should be sure to bring a Visa/Mastercard.

Is tipping for the tour included? And if not, how much should I budget?

All tour costs and guide tips are included.

How much do I tip in a restaurant/taxi?

In many restaurants, a 12.5% tip, known as a service charge, will be automatically added to your bill. It appears at the bottom of your bill so please check carefully. If it is not included, it will often say ‘Service not included’ and if you are happy with the service, we would recommend a tip of between 10-12.5%. It is not necessary to tip in a café. It’s not necessary to tip in taxis, however, if the driver has helped with luggage or you’ve enjoyed the journey you could increase the fare to the nearest round number.

RETREAT QUESTIONS

Where do I buy my fabric and threads and what is the selection available?

We will send you more information about the amounts of fabric you will need for your chosen quilt pattern. You will need to purchase the fabric and matching thread (Aurifil 50 weight thread or Coats and Clark Paper Piecing Thread) before the retreat begins.

Do I need to bring my own sewing accessories with me?

We will provide basic sewing equipment including scissors, needles, tape measures, tailor’s chalk, small scissors or snips.  You will need to bring your fabric and matching threads.

How many quilt patterns will there be to choose from?

Heather has created a special quilt pattern for our retreat. There are 3 versions to choose from making the quilt possible for beginner, intermediate and expert quilters. We will  send you information about each design and the fabric requirements.

How many quilt patterns will there be to choose from?

Heather has created a special quilt pattern for our retreat. There are 3 versions to choose from making the quilt possible for beginner, intermediate and expert quilters. We will  send you information about each design and the fabric requirements.

I am not a very experienced sewer, does that matter?

Basic sewing skills will be helpful but we will be on hand to help with specific questions and techniques. You should choose your pattern based on your ability.

PRACTICALITIES

Are there hairdryers in the bedrooms?

Goodnestone Park provides a hairdryer in each room. You should avoid bringing any appliances with you if possible as European voltage is 230/240 as opposed to voltage in the US which is 110/115. If you must bring your appliance with you, you’ll need a step-down transformer. Please note a stepdown transformer is not a plug adaptor. It can be very dangerous to use a US appliance in Europe and could permanently damage the appliance.

Can I do laundry at Goodnestone Park?

Goodnestone Park has two washing machines and two tumble dryers which you can use as well as an iron and ironing board.

Is there any free time during the trip?

We are taking a relaxed approach to our retreat. If you prefer not to join us for an outing, workshop session or meal then please just let us know.

What will the temperature be in October?

The weather in October in the UK is likely to vary. The average temperature is 15ºC/59ºF. October highs are 26ºC/79ºF and lows are 5ºC/41ºF so we recommend bringing a few warm layers.

Are there any dress codes for the trip?

We won’t be going anywhere where a dress code is obligatory. There will be some meals out but none of the restaurants have particular dress codes.

What footwear is suitable?

There will be a bit of walking and so we recommend you bring really comfortable and practical footwear.

How many people will be on the Retreat?

There will be a maximum of 18 people on the Retreat.

Will I have WI-Fi everywhere I go?

Goodnestone Park has WI-FI throughout and most of the places we visit, as well as the cafes/restaurants, offer complimentary WI-FI. You may need to ask for a password, although quite often the network is unsecured and you won’t need one.

Will my mobile/cell phone work?

We recommend you contact your service provider to ask what package they can offer you while you are in England. If you are concerned about going over your allowance you might consider buying a pay-as-you-go SIM card for your phone. You will need to make sure that your phone is unlocked so that it can take a SIM card from another provider.

Will I be able to charge my devices?

In order to charge your devices, you will need a US to UK adaptor plug. It’s usually possible to purchase these in advance or at the airport before you fly or when you arrive.

What will the food be like?

We have a private chef who will prepare a delicious 3 course dinner each evening using local ingredients.  Most days, we will have lunch at the Old Dairy on the Goodnestone Estate where you can choose from a selection of quiches, salads, sandwiches and desserts.  Red, white and rose wine will be served at dinner. 

We want you to be comfortable and happy during your time with us so if there is any special food or drink you would like please let us know and we will do our best to make sure we have it available for you during the week.

I have a dietary requirement, will it be a problem?

Please let us know when you complete the Registration Form if you have any special requirements and we will pass this information onto our chefs. 

Are all meals included?

All meals are included except for three lunches which are at guests’ cost.

Is smoking allowed on the tour?

Smoking is illegal in covered spaces in the UK. You can smoke outside (although not at bus stops), please look for designated smoking areas and a bin for your cigarette butt. E-cigarettes are not banned indoors but please check the policy of each venue before using your e-cigarette. Smoking is prohibited inside the house at Goodnestone Park.

Where can I buy stamps?

You can buy stamps from post offices, supermarkets, convenience stores and stationery shops such as WHSmiths. A stamp for a standard letter or postcard for the US costs £1.35.

HEALTH

What do I do if I am unwell/hurt myself?

If you are feeling unwell, please let us know as soon as possible. If you need emergency assistance at any time call 999 from any phone and ask for the relevant emergency service: fire, police or ambulance. In the unlikely event of a medical emergency you will be taken to the nearest Accident and Emergency department where your condition will be assessed. Please bring details of any medication you are taking with you to show the doctor. Hospital services are free to British residents but tourists are likely to be charged by a National Health Service (NHS) hospital for the treatment it gives you. You need to make sure that you have adequate health, travel and cancellation insurance before you Travel.

You can buy headache pills, flu treatments, etc, from chemists and supermarkets in Britain. Prescription medicines can only be acquired with a prescription written by a doctor (GP). A pharmacist is best qualified to advise you on what to do.

USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS:

Lizzie Hulme:
T: 0044 7917 806905 (please note: 00 44 is the international code for the UK)
E: lizzie@textileretreats.com

Clare Bungey:
T: 0044 7751 698 354 (please note: 00 44 is the international code for the UK)
E: clare@textileretreats.com

Richmond-upon-Thames and the Surrounding Area

Richmond-upon-Thames lies 8.2 miles southwest of the centre of London.   It’s at the end of the underground network (District Line) and has an excellent overground train service to Waterloo station.   Richmond was founded following Henry VII’s building of Richmond Palace in the 16th century from which the town derives its name.    The town and palace were associated with Elizabeth I who spent her last days here. During the 18th century Richmond Bridge and many Georgian terraces were built, particularly around Richmond Green and on Richmond Hill.  These remain well-preserved and many have listed building architectural or heritage status. 

Places to eat in Richmond: 

• The Ivy Cafe This central Richmond restaurant is well worth a visit. Book a table anytime between 11.30am and 6.30pm and you can have the set menu for £16.50 for a 2-course menu and £21.00 for a 3-course menu.  Max number of 6 people per booking. 9-11 Hill St, Richmond TW9 1SX theivycaferichmond.com  Tel: 020 3146 7733

• The Bingham Restaurant The fine dining restaurant serves Modern British dishes and overlooks the hotel's gardens and the river Thames. Afternoon tea is served in an elegant room with doors out to the river. 61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 6UT thebingham.co.uk Tel: 020 8940 0902

• Bill’s Casual contemporary European chain dishing up separate breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus. 1-3 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UQ bills-website.co.uk  Tel:  020 8948 0768

• A Cena Lovely local family-run Italian restaurant serving seasonal, Northern Italian dishes in a simply decorated space. Booking recommended. 418 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2EB acena.co.uk  Tel: 020 8288 0108

• Carluccio’s Contemporary, white-walled Italian cafe-deli chain created by Antonio Carluccio, serving pasta, mains as well as hand made focaccias. 31-35 Kew Road, Richmond TW9 2NQ carluccios.com 020 8940 5037

• The White Swan Typical local pub near the river with a Modern European menu, open fire and beer garden. 26 Old Palace Lane, Richmond TW9 1PG whiteswanrichmond.co.uk 020 8940 0959

• No 1 Duke Street, Contemporary Bar and restaurant for drinks or casual eating with outside courtyard and fireside dining inside.   No1 A Duke Street, Richmond TW9 1HP  no1dukestreet 0203 841 6898

Places to visit in the Richmond area:

• Ham House  Historic 17th century mansion with formal gardens set back 200 metres from the River Thames south of Richmond.  It is claimed to be unique in Europe as the most complete survival of 17th century fashion and power. A 20 minute walk from The Petersham hotel across the meadows and along the towpath.  Ham House, Ham St, Richmond-upon-Thames TW10 7RS HamHouse 020 8940 1950

• Petersham Nurseries  One of the coolest places in the London area, Petersham Nurseries is a plant nursery,  antique store, gift shop, restaurant and café serving seasonal dishes dotted with edible flower flourishes.  A 10 minute walk from The Petersham hotel across the meadows. Church Lane, Off, Petersham Rd, Richmond TW10 7AB   Petersham Nurseries 020 8332 8665

• Richmond Park.  A 2500 acre nature reserve created by Charles 1 in the 17th century as a deer park. The largest of London’s Royal parks, it  is a top UK site for ancient trees and supports a range of rare species. Discover the Isabella Plantation woodland gardens, drop in for tea at Pembroke Lodge or just enjoy a stroll.  The main gates are a 7 minute walk from The Petersham Richmond Park

• Kew Gardens.  Just one stop away on the underground is Kew Gardens, an internationally important botanical research and education institution and UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 40,000 living plants, extensive collections and numerous gardens.  Kew Gardens, Richmond, London TW9 3AE  Kew Gardens