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Wortley Top Forge

Forge Lane, Thurgoland, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S35 7DN

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About this venue

Top Forge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Grade I) and celebrates the history of iron-working in Britain and especially in South Yorkshire. The Forge is the only surviving water-powered heavy wrought iron forge with its water wheels and hammers (now restored) in situ. It is a site of national importance.

Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the grounds include a miniature railway, Mirfield Station Yard Crane, working water wheels, stationary steam engines, a large mill engine, joiners' shop, blacksmiths shop, South Yorkshire Iron Works Building and Elizabeth Engine House.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Barnsley.

Opening Times

  • The venue is open on Sundays and Bank Holidays between 11:00 and 17:00, from April till November.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the bottom of the site.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 0 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Access Point (Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located at the entrance to the site.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is no gate at this access point.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located beyond the access point.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.

Museum

  • Exhibits cannot be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
  • The availability of tactile signage does not depend on exhibition.
  • Touch tours are not available.
  • Video tours are not available.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Concessions are not available.

The Site

  • The site consists of various building and exhibits.
  • The paths around the site vary from concrete, loose pebbles, cobbles and grass.
  • The paths also vary from flat to easy and steep slopes.
  • All of the doors to the various buildings are at least 75cm wide and are permanently held open.
  • The floors in these building are stone slabs and are uneven in places.
  • There are shallow and deep steps with and without handrails throughout the site ranging from 3 to 15+ steps.
  • Some of these steps cannot be overcome by taking a different route.
  • Not all of the site is accessible to wheelchair users.

Miniature Railway

  • The railway is located to the right of the car park.
  • Rides on the train are available but cannot accommodate wheelchair users.

Accessible Toilet (Left Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the site access point.
    • This accessible toilet is located within a toilet block in the centre of the site.
    • There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is not a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from member of staff.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 147cm x 200cm (4ft 10in x 6ft 7in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 85cm (2ft 9in).

Standard Toilet(s)

Level Change (Female and Male Standard Toilets)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located leading to the Accessible and female Standard Toilet.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrances to the female and male Standard Toilets.
  • There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • Photographs 1, 2 and 3 show the ramp leading to the Accessible and Female Standard Toilet.
    • Photograph 4 shows the deep step in front of the entrance to the Female Standard Toilet.
    • Photograph 5 shows the 3 steps in front of the Male Standard Toilet.

Additional Info

  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located on the grass areas around the site.