Dean Close School Historic Tours

The tour will concentrate on the Senior School buildings which date back to 1886 when Dean Close Memorial School, an evangelical educational establishment, first opened. Named after the Very Reverend Francis Close, a prominent figure in the history of Cheltenham, the Christian faith remains an important aspect of the school ethos today. The School quickly grew in numbers and increased in size, but its story does not only encompass success and endurance, but also adversity. Through the sacrifices and losses of the two World Wars, the financial difficulties of the 1940s, to the introduction of girls in 1968, the School has an interesting story to tell. The tour will take in the original Headmaster's House, the Old School Room and Chapel, as well as some of the more modern features including the Poppy Cloister, Theatre and Dining Hall.

Tours will depart from the main school reception and take approximately one hour. Following the tour, tea and cake will be served.

Timings & Tours

Wednesday 11 September:

10.00

Thursday 12 September:

10.00 and 14.00

Saturday 14 September:

09.00 and 11.00

Location & directions

Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 6HE

Directions:

If you are approaching from Cheltenham town centre continue out of the town towards Montpellier on the A40. At the roundabout at the top of Montpellier take the road on the right hand side past Cote Brasserie, following the A40 straight on over the roundabout onto the Lansdown Road. Continue along here until you get to another roundabout with a garage in the centre and again continue straight ahead. You will go over a set of traffic lights and you will see Dean Close Preparatory School on the left. Keep going straight up this road in the left hand lane and just before the railway bridge, when you can go no further turn left into Shelburne Road. You will see the Senior School on the right hand side.

Contact on day:

Grace Pritchard-Woods 07470076823

Telephone number:

+447470076823

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please email Leah - [email protected] to reserve your space. If you can not make the event, please let us know as spaces are limited.

Booking contact name:

Leah Barton

Booking telephone number:

+447386662495

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.deanclosefoundation.org.uk/heritage-open-day-2024

Booking opens:

05 Jun 2024 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

09 Sep 2024 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

There are a few locations which are unable to easily accommodate wheelchairs, however, alternative arrangements can be made. Please contact the school in advance and every effort will be made to facilitate access to most of the tour sites. A large amount of the tour takes place outside so be prepared for the weather. There is little to interest young children on the tour.

Additional information

Parking is available on Shelburne Road, or alternatively, go to the bottom of Shelburne Road and turn right at the double mini roundabout on to Hatherley Road. Follow the boundary of the school and very shortly, before the driveway signposted as the Bacon Theatre, there is a gate in the hedge which leads onto a field for parking. You come across the gate very quickly as it is obscured by the bush. Once parked, leave through the top right exit back onto Shelburne Road and walk up to the main school reception where we will meet you.

Max no of people per tour:

15

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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