Sleepover at the Museum

Terms and conditions

These terms and conditions (the “Terms”) govern entry into the “Sleepover at the Museum” prize draw (the “Draw”), run by Manchester Museum, part of The University of Manchester (“the Promoter”, “we”, “us”, “our”). By purchasing an entry, entrants agree to be bound by these Terms in full.

1. The Promoter and the Draw

1. The Promoter is Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, part of The University of Manchester. The University of Manchester is a Royal Charter corporation registered under number RC000797 and an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011, with HMRC charity tax exemption number XR82062.

2. The Draw is a lottery for the purposes of the Gambling Act 2005 and is run as a small society lottery, registered with Manchester City Council under Small Society Lottery Licence Reference LC202607-587560. A copy of the registration is available on request.

3.  The Draw is not associated with, endorsed by, or run in partnership with the National Lottery.

4. The Draw opens on 2 September 2026 and closes on 28 September 2026 (the “Closing Date”). Entries received after the Closing Date will not be included in the Draw.

2. Eligibility

1. The Draw is open to UK residents aged 18 or over at the time of entry, excluding employees of The University of Manchester, their immediate families, and anyone professionally connected with the organisation or administration of the Draw.

2. Entrants must be purchasing on behalf of a family group. The prize is for up to 2 adults and up to 4 children, or an equivalent family configuration as agreed with the Promoter in advance.

3. The Prize is only suitable for children aged 5 and above. Younger children cannot be accommodated, as they are more likely to wake during the night and may require additional care, such as nappy changes, that the gallery setting cannot support.

4. All children attending as part of the prize must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also attending, and remain under that adult's supervision at all times during the event.

5. The Promoter reserves the right to request proof of age or identity from the winner before the prize is confirmed.

3. How to Enter and Ticket Price

1. Entries are made by purchasing a ticket online at https://manchestermuseumshop.com/products/a-night-under-the-t-rex-prize-draw-entry for £5 per ticket.

2. There is no limit on the number of tickets a single entrant may purchase, save that the Promoter reserves the right to impose a maximum per person if demand requires it, and will publish any such limit on the ticket page before sales open.

3. No free or alternative method of entry is offered. This Draw is conducted strictly as a paid lottery under the small society lottery rules; entrants should be aware that 100% of net proceeds will go to the Museum's charitable purpose, as stated on the ticket and the ticket page.

4. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable once purchased, except as required by law or as set out in Section 9 (Cancellation and Postponement).

5. Each ticket sold will show: the ticket price; the name of the Promoter and the registered address; the purpose of the lottery; and the date of the draw, in line with Gambling Commission requirements for small society lotteries.

4. The Prize

1. The Prize is one overnight stay for up to 2 adults and up to 4 children sleeping in the Fossils Gallery at Manchester Museum, under the T. rex specimen, on a date agreed between the winner and Manchester Museum. The Prize must be redeemed on a Friday or Saturday between 30 October 2026 and 22 March 2027, subject to availability at Manchester Museum.

2. The Prize includes: entry to the Museum after normal closing hours; a guided tour of selected galleries; an age-appropriate activity; a film screening; sleeping equipment or space to bring the family's own bedding as specified in the joining instructions; an evening snack and breakfast; and complimentary admission passes for a future daytime visit.

3. The Prize does not include transport to or from the Museum, travel insurance, or any costs not expressly listed above.

4. There is one Prize available. It is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and cannot be redeemed for cash, in whole or in part.

5. When booking the stay, the winning family will be asked to provide a preferred date along with two alternative dates, to help the Museum confirm availability.

6. Before the stay takes place, the Museum will arrange a short pre-visit call or walk-around with the family to talk through the evening's arrangements and answer any questions.

7. If the winning family is unable to attend on the agreed date, the winning family must notify the Promoter as soon as possible. Where cancellation is made within 30 days of the agreed date, or where the family is otherwise unable to attend, the Promoter will offer one alternative date within the redemption window set out in clause 4.1, subject to availability. If no date can be agreed within that window, the Prize will be forfeited and, at the Promoter's discretion, may be redrawn or an alternative prize of equivalent value offered.

8. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the Prize with one of equivalent or greater value if circumstances beyond its reasonable control make the advertised Prize impossible to deliver.

5. The Draw and Notification

1. The winner will be selected by random draw from all valid entries received before the Closing Date. The winner will be drawn on 1 October 2026, and the draw will be conducted or overseen by the Safety, Risk and Compliance Manager.

2. The winner will be notified by email and/or telephone using the contact details provided at the time of purchase, within three working days of the draw.

3. If the winner cannot be contacted, or does not respond and confirm acceptance of the Prize within 7 days of the Promoter's first attempt to make contact, the Promoter reserves the right to select a reserve winner by the same random process.

4. Subject to consent, the winner's first name and county may be published on the Museum's website or social media channels to confirm the Draw has taken place. No other personal details will be published.

6. On the Night - Operational and Logistical Arrangements

Arrival, supervision and access

• Families should arrive at the time and entrance specified in their joining instructions, normally shortly after the Museum's public closing time.

• A named member of Museum staff will remain on site and act as the primary contact for the family throughout the evening and overnight.

• Access is limited to the agreed galleries and facilities (including toilets and a designated rest area). Other parts of the building, stores, and offices remain off limits.

• The family will be provided with an emergency contact number for use during the night and shown fire exits and assembly points as part of a short safety briefing on arrival.

Sleeping arrangements

• Families should bring their own sleeping bags, roll mats or blow-up mattresses (single/twin size), pillows and nightwear, as detailed in the joining instructions.

• Overnight clothing must be suitable for standing outside in the unlikely event of a night-time evacuation.

• The sleeping area will be set up in advance in the Fossils Gallery, away from any fragile or sensitive exhibits and away from public thoroughfares.

• Room temperature in the galleries may vary from normal daytime conditions; families are advised to bring layers.

Food, drink and welfare

• An evening snack and a continental breakfast are included, along with tea and coffee for accompanying adults during the evening. Please advise the Museum of any allergies or dietary requirements at least 7 days before the event.

• Outside food and drink other than agreed dietary essentials should not be brought without prior arrangement.

• Toilets and hand washing facilities will be available and clearly signed throughout the night.

Electrical items, flames and smoking

• Guests are not permitted to use plug sockets within the gallery. Phones and any other devices should be fully charged before arrival.

• No open flames are permitted anywhere on the premises, including candles, camping stoves and lighters.

• The Museum is a strictly smoke-free and vape-free venue.

• Exit doors will be locked overnight and will only be opened in the event of an emergency.

Safeguarding and supervision

• Accompanying adults are responsible for the supervision and welfare of their children at all times during the event; Museum staff are not acting in loco parentis.

• A minimum ratio of one adult to four children must be maintained at all times, in line with the Museum's safeguarding policy.

• Any member of staff working with the family during the event will hold an appropriate DBS check where required by the Museum's safeguarding policy.

Health and safety

• Families must complete a short pre-visit form covering any relevant medical conditions, mobility requirements, or access needs no later than 14 days before the event.

• The Museum's standard fire, evacuation and first aid procedures apply throughout, and will be explained as part of the arrival briefing.

• The Promoter reserves the right to end the event early, or ask participants to leave, if their behaviour poses a risk to themselves, other visitors, staff or the collection.

Photography

The Museum may wish to take photographs of the winning family enjoying the Prize for its own promotional use. Participation in photography is optional and will always be agreed with the family in advance, with separate consent sought for any images featuring children.

7. Liability

1. Nothing in these Terms limits the Promoter's liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, for fraud, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

2. Subject to clause 7.1, the Promoter accepts no liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense arising from taking part in the Draw or the Prize, except where caused by the Promoter's negligence or breach of these Terms.

3. Participants are responsible for their own and their family's personal belongings brought onto Museum premises. The Promoter accepts no liability for loss, theft or damage to personal property, except where caused by its negligence.

4. Participants are strongly encouraged to arrange their own travel and personal insurance for the event.

8. Data Protection

1. Personal data collected during ticket purchase and entry will be processed by the Promoter in accordance with The University of Manchester's privacy notices, available at The University of Manchester privacy notices, and in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Data will be used only for administering the Draw, contacting the winner, and, where consent is given, for promotional purposes. It will not be shared with third parties for marketing purposes without explicit consent.

3. Records of ticket sales and the draw will be retained for the period required under the Gambling Act 2005 and the Promoter's own record keeping policy, and then securely destroyed.

9. Cancellation and Postponement

1. If the Museum needs to cancel or postpone the event for reasons beyond its reasonable control (including but not limited to building or safety issues, extreme weather, or public health guidance), the Promoter will offer the winning family a rearranged date at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

2. If no rearranged date can be agreed within a reasonable period, the Promoter will offer an alternative prize of equivalent value at its discretion.

3. The Draw itself will only be cancelled in exceptional circumstances. If this occurs, all entrants will be notified and ticket monies refunded in full, less any unavoidable administration costs, in accordance with Gambling Commission guidance.

10. General

1. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entry it reasonably believes to be fraudulent, duplicated in breach of any published entry limit, or otherwise in breach of these Terms.

2. These Terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and entrants submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

3. Any complaints regarding the conduct of the Draw should be sent in writing to Dean Whiteside at Dean.Whiteside@manchester.ac.uk or by post to Dean Whiteside, Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. Complaints regarding the licensing of the lottery may also be directed to Manchester City Council through its complaints, comments and questions service or via the council switchboard on 0161 234 5000.

4. A copy of these Terms is available on request from Dean Whiteside at Dean.Whiteside@manchester.ac.uk and is published on the ticket sales page.