Practicalities and Prices
Over two thousand students visit us each year from primary and secondary schools, universities and colleges, and we also welcome community and faith groups. Get in touch if you’d like to book a tailor-made guided visit here, to explore Buddhism and see the Buddhist Centre at work.
Educational visits are of course more difficult since the start of the pandemic. Things change quickly so do contact us to talk about possible future visits.
Prices
- 1½ hours: £4 a head; £72 minimum / 18 people; £72 cancellation
- 2 hours: £5 a head; £90 minimum / 18 people; £84 cancellation
- 2½ hours: £7 a head; £126 minimum /18 people; £94 cancellation
- 3 hours: £8 a head; £144 minimum / 18 people; £98 cancellation
- 4 hours: £10 a head; £ 200 minimum / 20 people; £150 cancellation
- 5 hours: £13 a head; £260 minimum / 20 people; £160 cancellation
- Buddhist visitor to your school: £80 per hour + travel costs
The minimum group charge applies if your numbers are lower than the minimum number of paying visitors. Maximum group size is forty. If you cancel with less than seven days notice, you will be invoiced the relevant cancellation fee.
Charging for Booked Visits
We do have to make a charge for guided visits. Some Buddhist places of worship are run by monks and nuns, supported financially by lay Buddhists. These monastics, relying on donations, may not need to earn a living. In our tradition, Triratna, we do not have monks or nuns. Whether ordained or not, we all need to earn an ethical living and the teachers leading our visits are paid a modest hourly rate. Payment for visits also contributes to the charity’s running costs.
The Buddhist Centre depends upon generosity. However, we will not turn anyone away for lack of money. Please let us know when booking if you need to negotiate a lower rate.
The Centre made a deep impression on the students – as I knew it would. I suspect the ripples will continue into their adult lives.
How long a visit should we book?
For primary and special needs groups, a standard visit is 1½ hours. For secondary and adult student groups, we recommend 1½ or 2 hours . Many older groups don’t find 1½ hours long enough for all their questions. In particular, GCSE and A level groups may find a half day visit offers a better chance of a much deeper experience of a Buddhist way of life.
Bookings and payment
Please contact us on groupvisits@manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk. We prefer to invoice you after your visit, so that you only pay for the number of people actually attending. Please make any cheques out to Manchester Buddhist Centre.
Free support materials on request
Four helpful documents for Key Stage 2 and 3 are available for use before and after the visit
A risk and safety document also available upon request
Photographs
You are welcome to take photographs anywhere but not during the meditation or stilling exercise
What to wear
There are no clothing restrictions. We ask you to remove your shoes to enter the shrine room unless disability prevents this. You may wish to wear comfortable trousers, as you may be sitting on mats and cushions, although chairs are available too.
Lunch
Sorry, we do not have a lunch area.
Questions?
Please contact us on groupvisits@manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk or 07842075577.
Opening Times & more