Access Guide
Location
- The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
- This venue is situated in Luton.
- There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest mainline station is Luton Airport Parkway.
Opening Times (February - October)
- Monday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Thursday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Friday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Saturday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Sunday 10:00 - 17:00.
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Comments
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- The venue is open 11:00 - 17:00 on bank holidays.
Opening Times (November - January)
- Monday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Thursday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Friday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Saturday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Sunday 10:00 - 16:00.
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Comments
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- The venue opens 11:00 - 16:00 on bank holidays.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
- There is/are 6 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 360cm x 550cm (11ft 10in x 18ft 1in).
- The nearest designated bay is 50m (54yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The furthest designated bay is 60m (65yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- 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 dropped kerbs.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb / non stepped access from the car park to the venue.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
- The patron does not have to cross a road.
- The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
- The maximum height is 200cm (6ft 7in).
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 135cm.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 113cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the first entrance door.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
Outside Access (Garden Café Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located along the garden path, to the left.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 200cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
Outside Access (Museum Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the museum.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 149cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located leading to the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
Reception
- The desk is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is high.
- The desk does not have a lowered section.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing system is available only on request.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played in the café and the shop.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are varied.
Museum
- Exhibits cannot be audio described.
- Tactile signage for exhibits is available.
- The availability of tactile signage does not depend on exhibition.
- Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
- Touch tours are not available.
- Video tours are available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Concessions are not available.
- There is a wheelchair to borrow.
- To borrow the wheelchair, please contact a member of staff.
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Comments
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- Audio descriptions are available at this venue with 24 hours notice.
Eating and Drinking
- The following information is for the café.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the garden café entrance.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Takeaway cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are hand held and wall.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is light meals and snacks.
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Comments
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- There is additional seating in the garden area located to the rear of the café.
Gardens
- There are various paths throughout the gardens.
- There are some easy and steep slopes in places along the paths.
- There are grass areas throughout the gardens.
- There is some accessible play equipment available in the playground.
Toilet with Adaptations (Discovery Centre)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial and Braille signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located down the garden path and to the right of the venue.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 215cm (4ft 9in x 7ft 1in).
- 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 75cm (2ft 6in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is twist/turn.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are non-infectious waste and sanitary disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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 a mirror.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- 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 bright.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- 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 95cm (3ft 1in).
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Comments
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- There is a similar accessible toilet available in the discovery hall, with lateral transfer space to the right (photograph 3).
Standard Toilet(s) (Discovery Centre)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located down the garden path and to the right of the venue.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Toilet with Adaptations (Discovery Gardens)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 100m (109yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the venue, within the discovery gardens.
- There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 210cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 11in).
- There is 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
- 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 an emergency alarm.
- 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 available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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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 the right.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 130cm (4ft 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- 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 fair.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
Standard Toilet(s) (Discovery Gardens)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilets are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilets are located at the rear of the venue, within the discovery gardens.
- The female and male toilets are 100m (109yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilet.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Level Change (Discovery Gardens Toilets)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located leading up to the standard toilets.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
Additional Info
- Documents are not available in Braille.
- Documents are 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.
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Comments
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- There are three wheelchairs and two motorised scooters available to borrow.