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Hamilton Mausoleum

Mausoleum Drive, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, ML3 0DJ

Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • The route from Low Parks Museum to the mausoleum is possible with assistance due to the distance, slopes and uneven surfaces.
    • The Mausoleum is not accessible to wheelchair users due to the number of steps at the entrances to both the Temple and the Crypt.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Hamilton Central.

Opening Times

  • The Mausoleum is open to the public on the first and third Sunday of each month. Times are 12.30 and 14.30. Tours are conducted from the Low Parks Museum and must be booked in advance. The tours are not recommended for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues due to the number of steps.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 89cm (2ft 11in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 13 step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Outside Access (Crypt Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 79cm (2ft 7in).

Level Change (Crypt Entrance)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located behind the venue.
  • There is/are 15+ step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There are similar steps to the left as you face the entrance.

Level Change (Crypt)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the rear of the building.
  • There is/are 10 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are low.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • 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).
  • Comments View
    • There is a poorly lit 3cm threshold to the inner crypt door.

Mausoleum and Crypt

  • Hamilton Mausoleum was one of the finest private tombs in the country. It is now one of the town's most famous buildings.
  • Hamilton Mausoleum was built as a tomb and monument to Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton, nicknamed 'El Magnifico'. The tomb was incomplete at the time of his death in 1852.
  • The chapel has a massive dome, which is over 36 metres high, bronze doors, and a floor made up of different marbles from around the world.
  • An amazing thing about the Mausoleum is that there is a 15 second echo, which is one of the longest in the world!
  • Two lion sculptures overlook the entrance to the crypt below, where you can still see the niches for the bodies of the members of the Hamilton family.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are not accessible toilet facilities within this venue.

Standard Toilet(s)

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 cannot be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.