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North Down Museum

Town Hall, Bangor, Co. Down, BT20 4BT

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About this venue

North Down Museum tells the story of the North Down area from the Bronze Age to the present day through a series of rooms, each dedicated to a particular era of history. Key artifacts on display include the Bronze Age Ballycroghan Swords, the Bangor Bell from the hugely important Bangor Abbey settlement, and the Raven Maps, the only complete folio of Plantation era maps in Ireland. North Down Museum is situated at the rear of the Town Hall, Bangor Castle, on Castle Park Avenue. The Castle, built for the Hon. R.E. Ward in 1852, had a courtyard and stables and the Museum has developed around these. North Down Museum is a FREE attraction in the heart of Bangor. Here you can also rest and enjoy a meal or snack in Coffee Cure, the Museum café.

Access Guide

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Introduction

Opening Hours

Location

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

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the front of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 390cm x 470cm (12ft 10in x 15ft 5in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 35m (38yd 10in) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 39m (42yd 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Courtyard Gates)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The width of the door opening is 190cm.
  • Comments View
    • These gates are permanently held open on Mondays to facilitate access to Coffee Cure when the museum is closed.
    • The gates are kept locked Tuesday to Sunday, but can be opened on request by the museum or Coffee Cure staff.

Outside Access (Main Entrance - Museum)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
    • 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.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Outside Access (Courtyard Entrance Left - Museum Annexe)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the venue.
    • 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 (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • Comments View
    • The small lip on the threshold does not have rounded edges.
    • This entrance is used to enter the museum annexe and Coffee Cure.
    • This entrance is not used to enter Coffee Cure on Mondays when the museum is closed.

Outside Access (Courtyard Entrance Right)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the courtyard.
    • 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 (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
  • Comments View
    • This door leads into the cinema exhibition.
    • The entrance is also used as the exit from the museum to Coffee Cure and to the first floor teaching room.

Reception (Reception / Gift Shop)

  • The desk/counter is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Level Change (Museum)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the right of reception.
  • There is/are 6 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are 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 right going up the step(s).
  • There is a lift to access this area/service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Level Change (Further Museum Exhibitions)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading to further exhibitions to the left of reception.
  • There is/are 6 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are 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 right going up the step(s).
  • There is a lift to access this area/service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Lift (Platform)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of reception.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 70cm x 100cm (2ft 4in x 3ft 3in).
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Museum

  • Exhibits can be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Touch tours are not available.
  • The availability of touch tours depends on exhibition.
  • Video tours are not available.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
  • A deposit is not required for the hearing system.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the teaching room on the first floor of the museum annexe.

Lift (Standard)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the main corridor.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 73cm (2ft 5in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 72cm x 114cm (2ft 4in x 3ft 9in).
  • There are not 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 not 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 low.

Level Change (Museum Annexe)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in the annexe of the museum.
  • There is/are 15+ step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are 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
    • Photographs 1, 2 and 3 show the stairs in the annexe of the museum.
    • The stairs take you back on yourself to the first floor of the museum.
    • All exhibitions within the museum can be seen without using these steps.

Level Change (Teaching Room)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located at the rear of Coffee Cure.
  • There is/are 15+ step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • 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.

Standard Toilet(s)

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial, tactile and Braille signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the platform lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located off the main corridor.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • 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 locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 184cm x 170cm (6ft x 5ft 7in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • 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 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 general domestic waste, waste paper pedal bin and sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 not 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 not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • 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 poor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • 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 101cm (3ft 4in).

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located on the grassed areas in the car park.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is normally on duty.
  • Staff are trained to BSL level (unknown at time of research).