AROC Surrey Section Annual Picnic

For our annual picnic, this year, we have a unique opportunity to visit Bignor Park, near Pulborough, West Sussex (https://www.bignorpark.co.uk/). Bignor Park is not generally open to the public except as a wedding venue and for pre-arranged group visits. We will be the only group on the property that day apart from the family and people who live on the estate. There will be an opportunity to explore the gardens at our leisure as well as the chance to join a guided tour of selected rooms of the house.

Timings

Arrival from 10:45

Guided tour of the house at 11:30

Group picnic following the house tours

Ticket prices

Entry to include Garden only - £20 per person

House tour and Garden - £30 per person

Child ticket (Entry to Garden only - NOT the house) £10 per child

(Members can upgrade to include house tour ‘on-the-day’ – payment will need to be in cash only)

Venue

This year is the 200th anniversary of the house being built and the 100th anniversary of the Bigham family owning the property having been bought by Charles Bigham in 1926. The house is now lived in by Ned Bigham and his family.

The formal gardens extend to the right and behind the house. To the left of the house is an informal grass area with a small lake. There is also a temple built by the present owner’s father to commemorate Ned’s grandmothers 80^th birthday.

Bignor Park has no catering facilities on site, not even a coffee or tea van. You will need to bring your own food and drink. We’ll be parking the cars and picnicking on the grass in front of the house (weather permitting). (There is a farm shop 5 minutes’ drive away, Charlies Farm Shop, Southview Farm, Bury, RH20 1NP where you can purchase food for a picnic if you don’t bring anything with you.) All rubbish will need to be taken home with you.

Bookings should be made online before 19 June, if possible, as we need to pay the venue beforehand. Later bookings can be accommodated but will need to pay by cash on the day.

Entrance

Postal address: Bignor Park, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1HG

The entrance to Bignor Park is down a long drive. The entrance to the drive is opposite Bignor Park Road where it joins Blue Doors Road. Some Sat Navs may try to take you to the other end of the post code near the village of Sutton. There is no access to Bignor Park from the village.

What3words: ///reminder.issued.handsets

Proceed down the drive until you see the AROC Surrey section gazebo and flags on the left in front of the main house. NB. On the drive there are several speed humps that are not marked.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead at all times. Owners must clear up after their dogs and take all poo bags home with them.

Note:

• Any car likely to drop oil should place a tray or piece of card underneath to protect the grass
• The swimming pool and tennis courts are out of bounds.