Battle of Britain 70th Anniverary Victory Concert - Sunday 12 September

On Sunday the 12^th September the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, in partnership with St Luke’s Hospice are delighted to invite you to a 70^th Anniversary Battle of Britain tea dance and concert in the grounds of Bentley Priory.  Listen to the nostalgic sounds of the Harrow Apollo Male Choir, the British Airways Brass Band, the Middlesex Region Air Training Corp Band, the Children’s Voice in a Million Choir and dance to the rhythm of a swing band. 

You will also have the chance to explore the house from which Lord Dowding so skilfully commanded the Battle of Britain exactly 70 years ago.  A variety of exhibitions and re-enactments will bring the house back to life in the 1940s.   

Ticket prices and booking procedures will be confirmed shortly. 

English Heritage 'Heritage Open Days' 9-11 September 2010

This will be the main public event of 2010, the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.  The four days will see Bentley Priory return to the 1940s with RAF and WAAF re-enactors running a mock up of a Battle of Britain operations room, displays of paintings and military memorabilia, children's trails and activities and a cafe service.  Entry to the house will be free but there will be a small charge for tours to help us with our fundraising activities.

 We are running pre-booked tours on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th of September.  These tours are always very popular and book up very quickly.  We will request a donation of £3 per person for the tours to help cover our costs.  To make a booking please contact Erica at bentleypriory@btinternet.com .  If you are unable to book onto a tour why not come on Saturday.  We are open from 1000-1700 with lots to see and do.  We have re-enactors recreating the important history of Bentley Priory including Dowding's Battle of Britain Operations Room, Royal Observer Corp observation points and domestic life in the 1940s.  We have lots of exhibits from local museums bringing the WW2 history of the area to life.  We will also have activities for children and exhibits about today's Royal Air Force.  Refreshments will be available throughout the Open Days, so why not combine your tour with lunch or a cream tea.   

We are also very pleased to announce that as part of our commemorations of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain we will have a spitfire and hurricane display during Saturday afternoon.  The exact timing of the flypast will be confirmed in early September.  

There is plenty of parking on site at Bentley Priory, please do not park in neighbouring roads.  We are located off The Common between Stanmore and Bushey.  For those who know the area we are just the Stanmore side of the traffic lights by the Alpine Restaurant.  Full details of our location and suggested routes can be found by following this link: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?  

During the afternoon of Thursday 9th of September we will particulary welcome military veterans from all Services to enjoy Bentley Priory and the gardens and some lovely 1940s singing from Janet Tootal, an excellent soprano.  Whether or not you served at Bentley Priory we hope this will offer veterans the chance to enjoy the lovely house, so vital to our military history.

Directions to Bentley Priory 

From the M25

Leave the M25 at Junction 21A (signposted St Albans and London North West) and at the roundabout take the 3rd exit on the A405 signposted London/ Watford.

Keep in left hand lane then branch left  (signposted Central London M1) Continue forward then merge on M1 Motorway. (follow M1 directions)

From the M1

Leave the M1 at junction 4, then merge onto Edgeware Way -A41 (Signposted A41 Edgeware)

At the roundabout take 3rd exit on the A410 signposted Harrow / Stanmore

Bear Left on Spur Road, entering Edgeware

At roundabout take the second exit onto the A410 Stanmore.

Pass Stanmore Underground Station

At traffic signal continue forward onto The Broadway and at the fork turn right onto Stanmore Hill.

Continue along until you see the entrance on the left, immediatly before 'The Alpine traffic lights.

The postcode for Satnav systems is HA7 3HH.

Public Transport Details

The nearest tube is Stanmore on the Jubilee Line.

Edgeware Station on the Northern Line is a short bus ride away.

London Overground at Bushey Station is a short bus journey away as is Watford Junction (National Rail).

Buses 142 run near the entrance every 11/14 minutes. It picks up at Brent Cross, Colindale, Edgeware, Stanmore, Bushey and Watford Junction.

Bus 258 connects Bushey with Harrow and Wealdstone Underground

Please see the website www.walkit.com for walking directions

www.jubileecarsstanmore.co.uk for local taxi information

Bespoke Tours

Guided tours for up to 30 people can be arranged at Bentley Priory in return for a donation to the Trust. If you are part of a group that would like a tour of the house and grounds please contact Erica Ferguson at bentleypriory@btinternet.com