Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ticket price?
Tickets costs either £15 per person (entry including VAT) or £22.50 per person (entry with tea/coffee and cake, including VAT). Entry with tea and cake includes one cup of tea or coffee and one serving of cake for each group member. Please choose only one ticket type for your whole group.
The holding deposit for large groups is £75.
What time should I arrive for my visit and how long does it last?
Our friendly hosts and volunteers will open our doors to start your visit for your chosen timeslot (10:30am /12:30pm / 3pm). Visits last 90 minutes in total. This includes a 30 minute presentation and 1 hour self-guided time where you’ll have the opportunity to explore our exhibition, have a go at poppy-making and enjoy our delicious refreshments (see below). Please note that we are unable to accommodate early arrivals and outside of our pre-booked visits and discovery sessions our visitor centre is closed.
Are there refreshments available?
For group bookings we’ll be in touch after you’ve reserved your visit online to ask whether you would like to enjoy cakes and tea/coffee during your visit. Please note that we are unable to provide refreshments for groups who have not ordered in advance.
For individuals and small groups attending our discovery visits, cakes and tea/coffee can be purchased in advance online or on the day.
If you’re looking for lunch options or a day out in Richmond, information on other local visitor attractions and places to eat and drink can be found on the Visit Richmond website.
Will I need to show a ticket?
You will receive a confirmation ticket once you've booked online, this will be confirmation of your visit. There is no need to print out your tickets.
Why isn't it free to visit?
As a small charity, we need to cover the cost of operating our visitor centre and raise vital funds to support veterans into employment. By buying tickets, you'll help change the lives of ex-Forces job seekers across England and Wales.
How can I get to The Poppy Factory?
The Poppy Factory is a 15 minute walk from Richmond train station. You can also catch the 65 bus from Richmond station to Compass Hill stop which is outside our visitor centre.
Our entrance is a sharp turn on Petersham Road, next to a colourful poppy pedestrian crossing and just a few hundred yards from Richmond Bridge.
Pay and display coach and car parking is available at The Old Deer Park, Richmond TW9 2RA, around 15 minutes’ walk away and accessible from the A316. There are also NCP car parks in Richmond town centre, around 10 minutes’ walk from the factory.
Can I park on site?
We are unable to offer parking for individual cars or coaches but caoch passengers can be set down at the entrance to our car park on arrival, and collected there on departure.
Can I buy merchandise?
We offer a small range of special Poppy Factory souvenirs for sale. Our shop opens for group visits and discovery sessions. Please note payment is by card only.
Is The Poppy Factory Covid-safe?
It is important that visits to The Poppy Factory are safe for everyone. The Poppy Factory is spacious and well-ventilated. Hand-sanitising stations are available and our toilets and facilities are cleaned regularly.
We do not ask guests to wear masks, however you are welcome to wear one.
Is The Poppy Factory accessible?
Yes. We have fully accessible toilets, low level displays and ramps to allow ease of movement around the centre.
Do carers go free of charge?
As a small charity we can offer limited places to carers. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to bring a carer by emailing visit@poppyfactory.org
I'm booking a school visit, how many adults are required per child?
We advise that children's groups should have an accompanying adult ratio of 1:6 and that youngest age we can cater to is 7 (Key stage 2).