FAQs

Where is the Whitgift Exhibition Centre?
The Whitgift Exhibition Centre is situated in the leafy suburbs of South Croydon, in the grounds of Whitgift School, an independent day and boarding school for boys located in beautiful parkland once owned by Henry VIII.

Croydon itself is one of the largest boroughs in Greater London by population, with excellent transport links, and a thriving restaurant quarter and arts scene. The Borough has a historic connection, recognised on its modern coat of arms, as a residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury for many centuries. In the Great War, as well as having many thousands of local people on active service, Croydon was also in the 'firing line' itself, bombed by Zeppelins in 1915, and subjected to air raids in 1916; this history will also be featured in the Exhibition. Please see the Exhibition Venue section for a street map.

Is there parking available?
Yes, there is free limited on-site parking. Please follow the signs from the main entrance on Nottingham Road. Alternatively, there is on-street Pay and Display parking available on the roads adjacent to the School.

Is the Exhibition wheelchair accessible?
Whitgift Exhibition Centre is accessible by ramp. Once inside the Whitgift Exhibition Centre, the ticketing and information space, galleries, shop and café are all on one level. For more information, please see our Access Information section.

Can photographs be taken in the Exhibition?
Yes, non-flash photography is permitted, but strictly for private, personal and non-commercial use only. A handheld camera may be used but tripods, lighting, or other equipment is not allowed. If you would like to photograph the Exhibition or any of the exhibits for professional or commercial purposes, please contact us to arrange this.

Can I explore the wider Whitgift grounds?
We regret that due to the School operations, the wider Whitgift grounds are not open to the public.

Are guided tours available?
Yes, guided tours are available but we ask you to book in advance. Please contact us to make arrangements.

Is there an events programme which accompanies the Exhibition?
Yes, all details will be appearing soon on our Events page. More information to follow.

Are refreshments available to buy at the Exhibition?
Yes, step back into the world before the War, with our Edwardian-style café, offering a range of hot and cold refreshments, cakes and light lunches.  Please see our Café section for more information.

Are souvenirs available to buy at the Exhibition?
Yes, our Exhibition Shop is stocked with gifts and souvenirs suitable for all budgets. Please see our Exhibition Shop for further information.

Is the Exhibition family-friendly?
Yes, families and younger visitors can enjoy our Family Exhibition Packs, which are filled with facts and activities to do as you go round the displays. Meet Reynard, the ‘flying’ fox, and let him show you some of his favourite objects and stories in the Exhibition. Please see our Family Learning section for more information.

Are pushchairs allowed in the Exhibition?
Pushchairs are not allowed due to some low-level objects and narrow spaces. They can be left in the Cloakroom.

Can I book tickets in advance and online?
For individuals and small groups, tickets will be available for purchase in person on the day of your visit. Groups of 10 or more may book tickets in advance, and school parties must pre-book.  Please contact us.

Do you accommodate school visits?
Yes, we are offering a free programme of creative, stimulating and inclusive workshops suitable for all ages and abilities across Key Stages 1-5 and the International Baccalaureate. Please see our Education Programme section for more information.

I want to volunteer, how do I get involved?
There are a number of ways to get involved and be part of the Remembering 1916 team. Please see our Volunteer section for how to apply.

Where have the collections come from?
The majority of the outstanding range of rare and unique artefacts on display in the Exhibition are on generous loan from the personal collections of four private collectors. The Exhibition has also benefited from loans from a number of museums and galleries, including the prestigious Musée de la Grande Guerre in France, the Beaney Museum, the London Motorcycle Museum, and the Towner Art Gallery. These items have been further supplemented by the loan of individual items from private individuals and from archival collections of Whitgift School.

Has Whitgift done anything like this before?
A hugely successful previous exhibition at Whitgift was the acclaimed Hidden Treasures from the Mary Rose, in 2009, directed by Dr Christopher Barnett, also the Exhibition Director of Remembering 1916 - Life on the Western Front. More than 250 of the finest artefacts recovered from Henry VIII's flagship were on display. Having only recently undergone the conservation process, 80% of the objects were being seen for the first time by the public.

The Exhibition was a huge success, with 35,000 visitors. Time Out described Hidden Treasures as 'an impeccably mounted professional exhibition ... that any central London museum would be proud to host'. The television producer, Ray Sutcliffe, of National Heritage, described it as 'brilliant ... everyone involved in the museum world should see this Exhibition'. Hidden Treasures was entirely conceived, designed and presented by Dr Barnett and Whitgift School, in association with The Mary Rose Trust, and benefited from generous sponsorship from Croydon Council and the Whitgift Foundation.