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Shakespeare's New Place

22 Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6EP

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About this venue

When Shakespeare bought New Place he was an established playwright and it is believed that he wrote his later plays there, including The Tempest. Follow in Shakespeare’s footsteps through a new entrance on the site of the original gatehouse and enjoy a contemporary landscape that reveals the footprint of the Shakespeare family home. The re-imagined site gives an impression of the scale of New Place and relationship to the surrounding buildings; such as the neighbouring King Edward VI School and Guild Chapel that were once attended by a young Shakespeare. Commissioned artworks and displays throughout the site evoke a sense of family life and hint at Shakespeare’s major works that were written during the 19 years he owned New Place. The sunken Knot Garden has been restored in keeping with the original design by Ernest Law. Elements of the Great Garden, the largest surviving part of Shakespeare’s estate, will be conserved and further developed over time.

Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include a shop, museum and accessible and standard toilets.
  • Services / facilities within the grounds include garden walks and exhibits.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Stratford-upon-Avon.
  • Comments View
    • Stratford-upon-Avon rail station is approximately 0.6miles away.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 240cm x 1200cm (7ft 10in x 39ft 4in).
    • On street Blue Badge parking is located in Chapel Street.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 240cm x 1200cm (7ft 10in x 39ft 4in).
    • Standard marked parking bays are located in Chapel Street.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Parking in Chapel Street is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • There is a charge for non Blue Badge holders with a maximum stay of 2 hours.

Opening Times and Admission Prices

Outside Access (Shop Entrance, Exit and Ticket Office)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 94cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is portable.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in the doorway.
    • There is/are 1 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 9cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Outside Access (The Gatehouse Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the venue.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 97cm.

New Place Experience

  • Beyond the gatehouse entrance, the visit to the New Place starts with an open area courtyard with exhibits either side.
  • The pathway beyond has a sloping concrete surface leading up to 'His Mind's Eye' with a slight gradient of 3.1.
  • Once in the His Mind's Eye area there is seating and exhibits.
  • The surface here is loose gravel chippings.
  • When you leave the area the route takes you to The Knot Garden and The Great Garden.

Parks and Gardens (The Great Garden / The Knot Garden)

  • The park or garden does have footpaths.
  • The path(s) has a / have tarmac, concrete and gravel surface(s).
  • The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There are slight and moderate slopes on the paths.
  • There are bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Comments View
    • The tour route takes you from the 'His Mind's Eye' section to the great garden.
    • The garden has a tarmacked pathway running around the perimeter of it, with park benches at the side to stop and rest and take in the park grounds.
    • The pathway leads you to a set of 3 steps that leads into The Knot Garden area. Access around the perimeter of The Knot Garden is approximately 80cm with some overhanging foliage.
    • Wheelchair users are required to return to the entrance at The Great Garden and access The Knot Garden at the accessible entrance point bypassing the steps.
    • Upon leaving The Knot Garden you then approach the museum entrance at the rear of the venue.

Outside Access (Museum Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the venue.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the path leading to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • Comments View
    • The doors to the museum entrance are 46m from the gatehouse entrance.
    • The distance given is a direct route to the museum entrance without taking in the gardens tour from the gatehouse entrance.

Counter (Shop / Ticket Counter)

  • The counter is 1m (3ft 3in) from the entrance.
  • There is not level access to the counter from the entrance.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • There is not a lowered section.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is another counter in the gift shop area with a height of 100cm and a lower section height of 74cm.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played in the shop area.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Museum

  • Exhibits can be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Touch tours are available.
  • The availability of touch tours depends on exhibition.
  • Video tours are not available.
  • Concessions are available.
  • There is a wheelchair to borrow.
  • To borrow the wheelchair, ask a member of staff.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • 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 flow of the tour requires you to use the first set of modern stairs (photographs 1,2,3) leading to the frist floor exhibits.
    • The older stairs (photographs 5,6,7,8) are at the end of the tour and take you to the shop area and the exit via the shop entrance / exit.
    • The older stairs are medium in height with a handrail to the right.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located off the main corridor of the museum.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
  • The lift is approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the museum entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 94cm (3ft 1in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 112cm x 134cm (3ft 8in x 4ft 5in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not 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 bright.
  • Comments View
    • The lift gives access to the first floor exhibits.
    • Wheelchairs users are required to use the lift back to the ground floor and the exit / entrance via the shop.

Accessible Toilet (Left Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the museum entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter via the museum entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • 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 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 205cm x 260cm (6ft 9in x 8ft 6in).
    • 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 134cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • 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 sanitary, clinical waste and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 115cm from the floor.
  • 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 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 133cm (4ft 4in).
    • 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 cannot 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 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 moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • 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 100cm (3ft 3in).

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.