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  • When is Lantern Floating Festival going to be held in 2024 and how can I register to attend?
    This year's Lantern Floating Festival will be held between the 19th (Thu) and 21st (Sat) September. Registration to attend the event will open end of July.
  • How do I get to Shinnyo-en Buddhist Centre?
    By Car: Address: The Manor House, Woodstock Lane North, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5HL By Train: For trains from London Waterloo to Surbiton Station (National Rail) kindly check: www.southwesttrains.co.uk https://tfl.gov.uk www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel updates. By Bus K3 from Victoria Road, Surbiton to Rectory Lane, then about 7 minute walk to the Manor House. https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/k3 Taxis are available from both exits of Surbiton Station. A limited number of bicycle racks are available on site. The Manor House is approximately 20 minute walk from Surbiton Station.
  • Is there parking available onsite?
    Free parking is available on site. Disabled parking is available and offered on a first come first serve basis. Limited spaces available.
  • Wheelchair Accessibility
    Garden paths are made of gravel. Accessible toilet facilities are available in the Manor House (Main Temple Building) and garden. The Main Temple Building has a stairlift to upstairs but no lift. There is a lift access to the ground floor of the Main Building.
  • What can I expect when I come to the Lantern Floating Festival?
    Please present your ticket on entry. You can either print your ticket or show a digital version on your phone. Lanterns can be collected from one of the distribution points. We do provide pens to write on the lanterns, but you are welcome to bring your own pens/sharpies. Afterwards, you can float your decorated lantern anytime on the lake. If you wish you can also visit the Manor House (Main Temple Building).
  • What sort of messages can I write on the lanterns?
    Messages and prayers can come in many shapes and forms, and there are no set rules for what is and isn't appropriate. Here are a few ideas: Prayers or messages to lost loved ones. Prayers or messages of hope for the future, and peace in the world. Expressions of gratitude and appreciation for all around us. Please kindly express yourselves freely.
  • Are the lanterns FREE?
    Yes, the lanterns are free. However, if you wish to make a donation to our centre, please do so by clicking on the link here
  • Can I bring my picnic?
    You can bring your own picnic, however kindly refrain from bringing alcohol. Please bring your own folding chairs if you can, as we have limited garden chairs onsite. A coffee van will be available each day onsite. On Saturday 21st September, a pizza van will also be available onsite.
  • Are dogs allowed?
    We kindly ask you to refrain from bringing dogs to the venue, except guide or listening dogs.
  • What will happen once I register?
    Once you register you will receive a confirmation email from us with tickets for the event. Please note: This email can take up to 48 hours from registration. If this is not the case, please check your spam folder first before contacting us.
  • How can I cancel my tickets?
    To cancel your ticket please email enquiries.uk@shinnyo.info stating the date and time you have reserved your ticket(s).
  • What happens to the lanterns once floated?
    All lanterns once floated will stay on the lake within our gardens until the end of the festival. Once lanterns are collected, we wash and dry all the wooden lantern bases ready for reuse next year. Decorated lantern papers, as expressions of peoples’ hopes and prayers, are all carefully removed and kept in front of the Buddha’s image in our temple’s altar room.
  • Does the Lantern Floating Festival have any impact to the environment?
    The lantern bases are made of wood and are reused each year, the tea lights used to light the lanterns are rechargeable and collected after use. We try to reuse and recycle all the materials as much as possible and are constantly looking at better ways to do so. Our eight-acre gardens are managed in ways to maintain the natural and historic character of the Manor House lake and gardens, and to encourage biodiversity and wildlife. The garden is home to two badger families and three fox families, so a section of the garden will be off limits. Our flower border is also a popular destination for visiting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. We are very happy to share our gardens during the festival with our human visitors, but we kindly ask they respect this natural space by taking all rubbish home or using bins provided.
  • Do I need to register also very young children?
    Yes, please. Due to GDPR legislation and the fact that there are many cameras around during the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Festival, we need adults who are bringing children to read and accept the GDPR policy on their behalf. Thank you!
  • Will food be available?
    Yes - there will be a coffee van with light snacks onsite all three days, and a pizza van on Saturday 21st September.
  • When is Lantern Floating Festival going to be held in 2024 and how can I register to attend?
    This year's Lantern Floating Festival will be held between the 19th (Thu) and 21st (Sat) September. Registration to attend the event will open end of July.
  • How do I get to Shinnyo-en Buddhist Centre?
    By Car: Address: The Manor House, Woodstock Lane North, Long Ditton, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5HL By Train: For trains from London Waterloo to Surbiton Station (National Rail) kindly check: www.southwesttrains.co.uk https://tfl.gov.uk www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel updates. By Bus K3 from Victoria Road, Surbiton to Rectory Lane, then about 7 minute walk to the Manor House. https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/k3 Taxis are available from both exits of Surbiton Station. A limited number of bicycle racks are available on site. The Manor House is approximately 20 minute walk from Surbiton Station.
  • Is there parking available onsite?
    Free parking is available on site. Disabled parking is available and offered on a first come first serve basis. Limited spaces available.
  • Wheelchair Accessibility
    Garden paths are made of gravel. Accessible toilet facilities are available in the Manor House (Main Temple Building) and garden. The Main Temple Building has a stairlift to upstairs but no lift. There is a lift access to the ground floor of the Main Building.
  • What can I expect when I come to the Lantern Floating Festival?
    Please present your ticket on entry. You can either print your ticket or show a digital version on your phone. Lanterns can be collected from one of the distribution points. We do provide pens to write on the lanterns, but you are welcome to bring your own pens/sharpies. Afterwards, you can float your decorated lantern anytime on the lake. If you wish you can also visit the Manor House (Main Temple Building).
  • What sort of messages can I write on the lanterns?
    Messages and prayers can come in many shapes and forms, and there are no set rules for what is and isn't appropriate. Here are a few ideas: Prayers or messages to lost loved ones. Prayers or messages of hope for the future, and peace in the world. Expressions of gratitude and appreciation for all around us. Please kindly express yourselves freely.
  • Are the lanterns FREE?
    Yes, the lanterns are free. However, if you wish to make a donation to our centre, please do so by clicking on the link here
  • Can I bring my picnic?
    You can bring your own picnic, however kindly refrain from bringing alcohol. Please bring your own folding chairs if you can, as we have limited garden chairs onsite. A coffee van will be available each day onsite. On Saturday 21st September, a pizza van will also be available onsite.
  • Are dogs allowed?
    We kindly ask you to refrain from bringing dogs to the venue, except guide or listening dogs.
  • What will happen once I register?
    Once you register you will receive a confirmation email from us with tickets for the event. Please note: This email can take up to 48 hours from registration. If this is not the case, please check your spam folder first before contacting us.
  • How can I cancel my tickets?
    To cancel your ticket please email enquiries.uk@shinnyo.info stating the date and time you have reserved your ticket(s).
  • What happens to the lanterns once floated?
    All lanterns once floated will stay on the lake within our gardens until the end of the festival. Once lanterns are collected, we wash and dry all the wooden lantern bases ready for reuse next year. Decorated lantern papers, as expressions of peoples’ hopes and prayers, are all carefully removed and kept in front of the Buddha’s image in our temple’s altar room.
  • Does the Lantern Floating Festival have any impact to the environment?
    The lantern bases are made of wood and are reused each year, the tea lights used to light the lanterns are rechargeable and collected after use. We try to reuse and recycle all the materials as much as possible and are constantly looking at better ways to do so. Our eight-acre gardens are managed in ways to maintain the natural and historic character of the Manor House lake and gardens, and to encourage biodiversity and wildlife. The garden is home to two badger families and three fox families, so a section of the garden will be off limits. Our flower border is also a popular destination for visiting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. We are very happy to share our gardens during the festival with our human visitors, but we kindly ask they respect this natural space by taking all rubbish home or using bins provided.
  • Do I need to register also very young children?
    Yes, please. Due to GDPR legislation and the fact that there are many cameras around during the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Festival, we need adults who are bringing children to read and accept the GDPR policy on their behalf. Thank you!
  • Will food be available?
    Yes - there will be a coffee van with light snacks onsite all three days, and a pizza van on Saturday 21st September.
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