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Bethlem Museum of the Mind

Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, BR3 3BX

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include :
    Ground Floor - the gallery and an art room
    First Floor - gallery space and the museum.
  • Comments View
    • In addition to the weekly opening times, the museum and gallery also open on the first and last Saturday of the month.

Getting Here (Bethlem Royal Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • Bethlem Royal Hospital is located to the South of Beckenham just off the A232 (Wickham Road). The hospital site can be accessed from the west and Croydon via the A23 and A232 and from the East and M25 via the A21 and A232.
    • The Hospital has areas of parking located outside all services. Please see specific service guides for more detailed information.
  • By Bus View
    • The nearest bus stop is Bethlem Royal Hospital located on Monks Orchard Road and approximately 160 metres from the main hospital entrance. The number 356 service stops here.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Eden Park which is approximately 0.7 miles away (2 min drive). The station is accessed via Monks Orchard Road and Upper Elmers End Road.
  • Useful Links View

Opening Times

  • Monday Closed.
  • Tuesday Closed.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Eden Park.
  • Comments View
    • Click here for access information of the overall hospital grounds.
    • Click here for details of the parking available within the hospital
    • The bus stop on Monks Orchard Road is within 150m of the main entrance gate and the main reception.
    • The other buildings are spread across a very large site, up to 800m from the main entrance gates.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • 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 1 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 340cm x 400cm (11ft 2in x 13ft 1in).
  • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 45m (49yd 8in) 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 slopes/ramps.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
  • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • The road is generally quiet.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The dropped kerb is located at the pedestrian crossing, to the left of the main entrance.
    • There is extensive additional car parking around the site.
    • This is on-street and in addition to the car parks.
    • The car parks include additional Blue Badge bays.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the centre front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open automatically (away from you).
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in) wide.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left of the main entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • 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 4 step(s) to the area / service.
  • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are in the centre.

Reception

  • The desk is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is low (76cm or lower).
  • The desk is generally staffed.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are not trained to use the system.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.
  • Comments View
    • The desk is to the right from the main entrance.
    • The reception is also the service point for the museum shop.

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.
  • Route finding signage is available.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl, stone and wood.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • From the main entrance, the foyer ahead leads to the lift, stairs and toilets.
    • There are some unfixed tables and chairs without armrests in the foyer.
    • There is a gallery space to the left.
    • This leads to an art room/ teaching space.
    • The furniture layout is flexible.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
    • The stairs are located at the rear of the entrance foyer.
    • The stairs are approximately 10m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • The ground floor male standard toilets are located off the landing after the first 4 steps.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left of the foyer.
  • The lift is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 140cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Museum

  • The Museum of the Mind and gallery space is located on the first floor.
  • There is level access by lift.
  • The displays include a variety of formats including video, audio, visual and written information.
  • The touch screens are located at a height suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Stools can be moved to make space for wheelchair users.
  • Some of the audio exhibits use telephone-style handsets.
  • The video exhibits have subtitles.
  • There is bench seating in several locations around the museum and one chair with armrests.
  • Lighting levels are varied.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left of the foyer, to the left of the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • 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 inwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 218cm x 290cm (7ft 2in x 9ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm in front of the seat.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on both sides.
    • The lateral transfer space is 98cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • The tap type is sensor.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is a push button alarm in this cubicle.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are not available.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is not a soap dispenser.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are available within this accessible toilet.
  • Comments View
    • There is a 64cm transfer space to the right of the toilet.
    • The push button alarm is located on the wall to the right of the window.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the left of the ground floor foyer.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the left of the main staircase, on the landing after the first four steps.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the male toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • This is by lift.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall mounted grab rails is not available.
    • Lighting levels are bright.

Additional Info

  • Staff do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Comments View
    • Although children are generally welcome, some of the exhibitions may contain material which is not suitable for children.