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Overview

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• About View
  • Family museum exploring farming history with a 1950s working farm, animals and interactive displays.
  • Facilities available in the venue include: gift shop, cafe, standard and accessible toilets, lifts, parent and baby room, farming exhibits, learning and educational facilities, picnic area and playground, transport between exhibits, working farm and historical farmhouse.
  • View information on opening times.
• Parking and Public Transport View
  • The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
  • There is a drop-off point.
  • The nearest parking is located across from the venue entrance.
  • The nearest train station is Hairmyres.
  • The nearest bus station is Hairmyres.
  • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
• Getting In and Around View
  • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: descending slope in the main museum and access to the farmhouse and farmyard exhibits .
  • The following areas have stepped access: some areas within the farmhouse.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
  • The first and ground floors in the main museum can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
• Getting Help and Assistance View
  • There is seating available.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system.
  • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
  • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: Sensory Backpacks from the Information Desk at the Museum shop. These contain lots of sensory aids including: Ear defenders, fidget toys, sunglasses, Highland Cow soft toy, binoculars (to be returned in the bag to the Museum shop at the end of the visit).
  • There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • The designated safe space is located in the First Aid room.
  • Documents are available in the following formats: large print and audio.
  • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area, but there are plenty of available outdoor spaces that can be used.
  • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
  • Facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
  • Staff receive the following training: Hidden Disabilities, Equality Diversity & Inclusion, Assistance Dog Awareness.
• Related Access Guides View
  • View information on National Museum of Rural Life - Toilets and Changing Facilities (opens new tab).
  • View information on National Museum of Rural Life - Getting from the Museum to the Farm (opens new tab).
  • View information on National Museum of Rural Life - Getting Around The Farm (opens new tab).
  • View information on National Museum of Rural Life - Farmhouse (opens new tab).

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

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• Car Park View
  • The car park is located opposite the main venue, with additional Blue Badge spaces on the access roundabout.
  • The car park is open air/surface.
  • The car park surface consists of tarmac and loose chippings.
  • There are 12 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
  • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 180cm (width) x 280cm (depth).
  • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
  • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
  • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
  • The nearest designated bay is 50m from the museum entrance.
  • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access, uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Visitors wishing to access the Blue Badge parking nearest to the museum should follow the signs for the drop-off point.
  • There are marked footpaths from several levels of parking to the entrance to the museum.
• Charges and Restrictions View
  • This car park is for visitors only.
  • Parking is free for all users.
• Drop-off Point View
  • There is a designated drop-off point available.
  • The designated drop-off point is located on the roundabout, opposite the entrance to the museum.
  • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the drop-off point.

You are on Museum Entrance. Skip to the next section.

Museum Entrance

• This entrance is located at the front of the museum, across the access bridge.
• The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
• There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
• There is step-free level access at the entrance.
• There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
• The doors open by sliding.
• The width of the opening is 123cm.
• There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
• The doors have a medium visual contrast.
• There is a second set of double automatic doors.
• The second set of doors open by sliding.
• The width of the opening is 123cm.
• There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
• The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.

You are on Ticket Counter. Skip to the next section.

Ticket Counter

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• Ticket Counter View
  • The ticket counter surveyed is located to the left side after entering.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • There is not a separate wheelchair accessible queue lane.
  • The height of the counter is 120cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the counter.
  • The height of the lowered section is 80cm.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • The lowered section at the ticket counter has a knee recess.
  • There are feedback display screens on the lowered ticket counter.
  • The height of the display screen ranges from 95cm to 110cm from the floor.
  • This ticket counter is shared with the gift shop.

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Gift Shop

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• Getting Around View
  • There is step-free level access throughout walkways.
  • Access throughout may include narrow aisles (less than 120cm).
  • The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the shelving and floor in all walkways.
  • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The venue has a designated accessible till point.
• Designated Accessible Till Point View
  • The designated accessible till point is located to the side of the shop, connected to the main ticket desk.
  • The designated accessible till point has a knee recess, a lowered counter, a portable payment machine and a hearing assistance system.
• Payment Counter View
  • The counter surveyed was shared with the main ticket desk.

You are on Shielings Cafe. Skip to the next section.

Shielings Cafe

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• Location and Access View
  • The Shielings Cafe is located to the right side, after entering the museum.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • There are double manual doors with a medium visual contrast.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 160cm.
• Service View
  • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, a self service counter, colleagues who can provide assistance with ordering and numerous seating options.
  • Full table service is available on request only.
  • Menus are handheld, wall-mounted, available on a board and displayed on the counter.
  • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
  • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
• Order and Payment View
  • The service counter was surveyed.
  • The counter is located to the right side, after entering.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 94cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
• Seating Area View
  • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a cafe overspill area.
  • This area can be accessed from the cafe or via the museum foyer.
  • The single door from the cafe is held open and has an opening width of 75cm.
  • The 3 sets of double doors leading from the museum foyer have an opening width of 122cm.

You are on Cloak Room and Lockers - First Floor. Skip to the next section.

Cloak Room and Lockers - First Floor

• This area is located opposite the toilets, on the first floor of the museum.
• There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
• There is step-free level access into this area.
• There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
• The door is permanently held open.
• The width of the opening is 84cm.
• Facilities available in this area include: lockers and coat hangers.
• There is step-free level access throughout the area.
• Access throughout the area may include doors permanently held open.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• The flooring is shiny.
• The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
• There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
• Wayfinding signage is provided.
• Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
• The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
• Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

You are on Museum - First Floor Exhibits. Skip to the next section.

Museum - First Floor Exhibits

• All exhibits are indoors.
• There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
• The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: access to further exhibits and the ground floor.
• The following areas have stepped access: alternative access to some exhibits.
• Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
• The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
• The following may be experienced here: lighting effects and interactive video effects.
• There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
• Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
• Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio guides, information boards, touchscreens, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• Seating available in this area includes: benches.
• The chairs are fixed.
• The tour is self-guided.

You are on Lunch Room. Skip to the next section.

Lunch Room

• The room is located on the Museum first floor and consists of: the Picture Gallery, the Study Store Corridor, Garden Detectives and the Land Gallery.
• The distance from the lift is 30m.
• The most accessible route to the room has a slight ramp or slope and doors permanently held open.
• There is written text signage on or near the door.
• There is step-free level access into the room.
• There are double manual doors with a medium visual contrast.
• The doors opens inwards.
• The doors are easy to open.
• The width of the opening is 160cm.
• There is step-free level access throughout the room.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• The flooring is shiny.
• The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
• Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
• Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
• The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
• The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• There may be background noise in this room.
• Announcements are in person.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• The layout of this room may change depending on the event or activity.

You are on Lift - Ticket Counter. Skip to the next section.

Lift - Ticket Counter

• The lift surveyed is located to the left side of the ticket counter.
• The distance from ticket counter is 5m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
• The first and ground floor are accessed by this lift.
• The lift door has a high visual contrast.
• The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
• The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 90cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 150cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system and a visual floor indicator.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

You are on Lift - Main Exhibition. Skip to the next section.

Lift - Main Exhibition

• The lift surveyed is located to the left mid way through the first floor exhibition, next to the Garden Detectives.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
• The first and ground floor are accessed by this lift.
• The lift door has a high visual contrast.
• The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
• The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 110cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 170cm (width) x 200cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Stairs. Skip to the next section.

Stairs

• The stairs surveyed are located opposite the ticket counter.
• The first and ground floor can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 20+ steps between floors.
• The steps have low visual contrast markings and have handrails on both sides.
• The handrails are easy to grip.
• The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
• The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
• The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
• The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
• The depth of the steps is 29cm.
• The steps have open risers.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Museum - Ground Floor Exhibits. Skip to the next section.

Museum - Ground Floor Exhibits

• All exhibits are indoors.
• There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
• Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• Some flooring is shiny.
• The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
• There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
• Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
• Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio guides, information boards, televisions/screens and interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Seating available in this area includes: benches.
• Some chairs are fixed.
• The tour is self-guided.

You are on Museum Theatre - Ground Floor. Skip to the next section.

Museum Theatre - Ground Floor

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• Theatre Information View
  • The theatre is part of the ground floor exhibition.
  • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • The most accessible route to the auditorium has a slight ramp or slope, manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free level access to a row of seating.
  • The following rows have stepped access: all the upper level seating.
  • Seating available includes: chairs with armrests and flip-down seats without armrests.
  • There are 2 single, manual doors to enter the theatre.
  • The manual doors are at both sides of the theatre.
  • The doors open outwards and have an opening width of 83cm.

You are on Learning Centre. Skip to the next section.

Learning Centre

• The room is located on the ground floor, next to the exit to the farm.
• The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, a lift, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
• The Learning Centre is located on the ground floor of the main museum.
• This space has its own cloakroom, wash basins and external exit doors.
• There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
• There is step-free level access into the room.
• There are double manual doors with a medium visual contrast.
• The doors opens inwards.
• The doors require effort to open.
• The width of the opening is 140cm.
• There is step-free level access throughout the room.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• The flooring is shiny.
• The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
• Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
• Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
• Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
• The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles and a wash basin.
• There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
• Announcements are in person.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• The layout of this room may change depending on the event or activity.

You are on Cloak Room and Lockers - Ground Floor. Skip to the next section.

Cloak Room and Lockers - Ground Floor

• This area is located opposite the toilets on the ground floor of the museum and can be reached via the lift or ramp.
• There is step-free level access via lift into this area.
• Facilities available in this area include: lockers and coat hangers.
• There is step-free level access throughout the area, this may include the use of a lift.
• The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the lockers on the lower level of the ramp.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• The flooring is shiny.
• The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
• There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
• Wayfinding signage is provided.
• Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
• The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
• Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

You are on First Aid Room. Skip to the next section.

First Aid Room

• The room is located on the ground floor of the museum, opposite the toilet with adaptions.
• The distance from the lift is 10m.
• The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and a lift.
• There is written text signage on or near the door.
• There is step-free level access into the room.
• There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
• The door opens by sliding.
• The door requires effort to open.
• The width of the opening is 83cm.
• There is step-free level access throughout the room.
• There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• The flooring is shiny.
• The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
• Seating available in the room includes: riser recliner chairs.
• Additional facilities/services include: a wash basin.
• There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

You are on Exit to Farm, Picnic Area and Playground. Skip to the next section.

Exit to Farm, Picnic Area and Playground

• The exit area is clearly signed.
• There is step-free level access at the exit.
• There is a single manual door at this exit.
• The door has a locked extension leaf.
• The locked extension leaf can be opened on request .
• The door opens away from you.
• The door is easy to open.
• The width of the opening is 85cm.
• There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
• The door has a medium visual contrast.
• If visitors access this exit via the quiet room, ground floor toilets or cloakroom rather than the museum exhibits, there is another set of double, manual doors to navigate.

You are on Picnic Area and Playground. Skip to the next section.

Picnic Area and Playground

• The following is available in this area: a playground with play equipment, a grassed play area and woodland.
• Additional facilities in this area include: picnic area.
• Outdoor areas consist of concrete or tarmac, rubber tarmac, grass and paving slabs.
• There are footpaths in some areas.
• The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
• The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: parts of the picnic area and playground.
• There is step-free level access throughout the majority of other areas.
• The paths have gates and uneven surfaces.
• There are picnic benches at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.

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• Playground View
  • There is a fenced play area with an access point over 100cm wide.
  • There is a route around the play equipment which is firm and even, and is at least 180cm wide.
  • The play equipment is within easy reach for seated and standing users and users of different heights.
  • The following play experiences are available: swinging, sliding, rocking, climbing, balancing and viewing.