What's on offer?

Want to get to know the real Talbot House?

Let one of our passionate storytellers take you on a trip to tell you his favourite anecdotes and petit histoires. Many of our storytellers have a long-standing association with the House and are very keen to tell you about their passion.

Educational Resources

Worksheets and extra tools are available to help you prepare your visit. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us to ask extra information.

Join one of our storytellers at Talbot House and get more out of your visit

Bring the stories to life by joining one of our enthusiastic storytellers on a tour of the grounds. Please get in touch if you'd like us to help select your perfect tour. All tours are subject to availability and need to be pre-booked.

A House of People & their Stories: standard introduction for large groups, max. 50 people

Introduction on the history of Talbot House, from the founding till the present day, delivered by one of our Talbot House Storytellers. During your tour of the grounds, you'll hear lots of anecdotes from the past on the life behind the lines in the camps, hospitals and the vibrant city of Pops as well as many Talbot House stories from the Great War and more recent times.

Duration of your tour: 1 hour, including a visit to Talbot House, the garden and the Happy Hoppers Concert Party. Ideally followed by 30 minutes of free time to also enjoy a cup of tea.
Practical: 50 people max. Cost: €40

Tales of Talbot House: standard story tour for adults or school literature tours of max. 25 people

Story tour of Talbot House by one of our in-house storytellers. As we make our way through the House, we quote from the memoirs of our founding fathers. Who better to tell you what it was like than the people who were there in their own colourful language?

Duration of your tour: 1 hour, can be flexible. Ideally add on another 30 minutes of free time to explore and have tea.
Practical: 25 people max. Cost: €40

Pettifer’s Adventures: short story tour for school groups

Join Pte. Arthur Pettifer MM on a mission in Talbot House. Arthur, a legendary scrounger, was employed at the House during the Great War and gives you a first hand snappy account of his adventures.
Duration of your tour: 30 min. Ideally we recommend you add on another 30 to 60 min. to explore the site or have a cup of tea.
Practical: 50 people max. Cost: € 40

Besides these standard tours, the following thematic tours are also available:

Alloo Alloo: Talbot House stories from WWII

Join us on an exciting, hilarious but at times tragic tour through the stories of the Second World War in Talbot House. Did you know Talbot House was the evacuation hub for British expats during the Dunkirk evacuation? Upon occupation, Belgian Talbotousians hid all of the relics and treasures, preventing them to be destroyed. They kept the spirit alive and once liberated, the allied soldiers received a very warm welcome. The club thrives today thanks to their resilience.
Duration of your tour: 1 hour, but can be flexible. Ideally add another 30 minutes of free time to explore and have tea.
Practical: 50 people max. Cost: € 40

Down-under in an upside-down House: Australian stories linked to Talbot House

Discover many Australian stories from the Great War set in Talbot House. Did you know Tubby himself was born in Australia? Thousands of Australian soldiers were able to lift their hearts during a visit at the club during the war. There were maps of Australia on the wall, you could hear Aussie slang in the corridors and of course the billiarts was run by a "digger".
Duration of your tour: 1 hour, but can be flexible. Ideally add another 30 minutes of free time to explore and have tea.
Practical: 25 people max. Cost: € 40

Christmas Tour:

For the British Tommies, Christmas was sacred. During the dark days of the First & Second World War, the Yuletide always gave a glimmer of hope in the dark. Together with our storytellers, you can discover countless funny but also special anecdotes. Enjoy the scenery as the House & Garden are wonderfully decorated.
Duration of your tour: 1 hour, but can be flexible. Ideally add another 30 minutes of free time to explore and have tea. Available in November, December & January
Practical: 25 people max. Cost: € 40

Please take a moment to explore our guided walks and tours in the town and wider area.

Great War Medical Workshop

Sessions will be led by an expert guide who will take your students through the medical evacuation system with the various forms of treatment and transport available at each aid post. Through a vast amount of original and replica artefacts, students get a real idea of what conditions were like. Well selected videos and photos bring the topic to life. This workshop is always combined with a visit to Talbot House.
Duration: 1 hour, depending your time.
Practical: max. 50 participants. Cost: € 40

Talbot House Play - A Home from Home

During the Great War, Talbot House in Poperinge, Belgium, a few short miles behind the front line, became a haven for thousands of allied troops – a ‘home from home’ where they enjoyed some home comforts and remembered the men that they really were. Run by a diminutive chaplain named Tubby Clayton the house became known by its army signaller’s code of Toc H and ultimately would be the inspiration for the association with that name. This play, written by Peter Gill and aimed at a family & school audience, recreates the humour, music and wonderful atmosphere of this inspirational House.

This play can be booked by your local school or organisation in the UK. Please contact Mr. Peter Gill for details.