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London Canal Museum

12-13 New Wharf Road, Kings Cross, London, N1 9RT

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About this venue

A waterside museum of London's canals and the Victorian ice trade, set in a former ice warehouse of the 1860s. It tells the colourful story of the canals, their people, horses and trade. Peer down into a huge ice well, uniquely preserved, and learn about the ice trade. Go inside a narrowboat cabin, meet the horse, and watch archive film.

Access Guide

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Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in London.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The nearest mainline station is London Kings Cross.
  • The nearest underground station is Kings Cross.

Opening Hours

Opening Times

  • Tuesday 10:00 - 16:30.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 16:30.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 16:30.
  • Friday 10:00 - 16:30.
  • Saturday 10:00 - 16:30.
  • Sunday 10:00 - 16:30.
  • Comments View
    • The museum is closed on Mondays except for Bank Holiday Mondays.
    • The museum is also open until 19:30 on the first Thursday of every month..

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on New Wharf Road.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door opening is 127cm (4ft 2in) wide.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.

Reception

  • The reception desk is 5m (16ft 5in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is medium height.
  • The desk has a lowered section.
  • Lighting levels are medium.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Lighting levels are low.
  • Customers cannot charge scooters or wheelchairs at the venue.

Museum

  • Exhibits can be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is available.
  • The availability of tactile signage depends on exhibition.
  • Touch tours are available.
  • The availability of touch tours depends on exhibition.
  • Video tours are available.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting level is medium.
  • Comments View
    • There is also a flight of 9 deep, clearly marked steps with handrails both sides, at the rear of the museum accessing floors G-UG, shown in photograph 2.

Lift (No. 1)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the rear of the musum.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-UG.
  • The lift is 20m (22yd) from main entrance.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 138cm (4ft 6in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 87cm x 140cm (2ft 10in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift controls do not have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do not have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Lift (No. 2)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you exit lift 1.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are UG-1.
  • The lift is 12m (13yd) from lift 1.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 108cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 92cm x 142cm (3ft 0in x 4ft 8in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift controls do not have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do not have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Level Change (The Coronis)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located just behind the reception desk.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • Comments View
    • The ramp leads up to the Coronis Narrow Boat exhibit.
    • Most of the exhibit is cramped and may not be accessible to visitors with mobility impairments, so a virtual tour of the boat is available at the top of the ramp.

Level Change (Access to the Canal)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located outside, at the rear of the Upper Ground floor.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • Comments View
    • This ramp leads down to the canal at the rear of the museum, and has a handrail on the right hand side going up.
    • There is also a push pad operated automatic door, 109 cm wide, leading out to the ramp.

Standard Toilet(s)

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located opposite the reception desk.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 146cm x 175cm (4ft 9in x 5ft 9in).
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • 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 lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • 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 a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • 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 a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • Baby Change Facilities
    • Baby change facilities are located within the standard toilet.
    • The baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 93cm (3ft ).

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.