Access Guide
Overview
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About
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- The Shell Grotto in Margate, Kent, is a mysterious underground network of passages and chambers decorated with approximately 4.6 million seashells.
- Facilities available in the venue include: exhibitions, museum room and a gift shop.
- There is not a toilet with adaptations available.
- View information on opening times.
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue does not have its own car park.
- There is not a public car park nearby.
- There is on-street standard parking.
- The nearest train station is Margate.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
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Getting In and Around
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- There is stepped access at the most accessible entrance.
- The most accessible entrance is also the main entrance.
- The following areas have stepped access: at the entrance, the shop, the Museum Room and The Grotto.
- There are no doors along circulation routes.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
- The Grotto can be accessed via stairs.
- The venue itself is situated on a steep hill.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- Seating is available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: sensory aids, tactile exhibition objects and ear defenders.
- View more information on borrowing or hiring equipment (opens new tab).
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: large print and different languages.
- Staff receive the following training: Disability, Equality and Inclusion.
Toilet and Changing Facilities
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Toilet Facilities
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- Toilets with adaptations are not available.
- Shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the right hand side of the gift shop.
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Changing Facilities
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- Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet, to the right hand side of the gift shop.
Entrance
- This entrance is located to the side of the venue.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is stepped access at the entrance.
- There are 2 steps as you enter.
- There are no handrails for the steps.
- The steps are unmarked.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
- There is a single manual door.
- The door opens away from you.
- The width of the opening is 91cm.
- The door has a low colour contrast.
- There is one step as you enter.
- There are no handrails for the step.
- The step is unmarked.
- The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step is 17cm.
Gift Shop and Ticketing
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Shop
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- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- The majority of main aisle widths are under 120cm.
- Some aisles did have obstructions at the time of the survey, these included: product bins.
- There may be background noise.
- Seating available for customers includes: benches.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
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Payment Counters and Checkouts
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- The payment counter is located ahead, after entering.
- Signage is provided for the counter.
- Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
- The height of the counter is 92cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- The payment machine is portable.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Stairs to The Museum Room
- The stairs are located to the left of the counter.
- The Museum Room can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are handrails on both sides, which are within reach.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
The Museum Room
- The area is indoors.
- There is not step-free level access throughout.
- The following areas have stepped access: access to the grotto and back up to the gift shop.
- The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
- There may be background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, information boards and interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: benches.
- There are tactile displays in this area.
Stairs to The Grotto
- The stairs are located off The Museum Room.
- The Grotto can be accessed by these stairs.
- There is a handrail on the left going down.
- The handrail is easy to grip.
- The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 23cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
The Grotto - The North and Serpentine Passages
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Access
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- There is not step-free access between floors.
- There is not step-free level access throughout.
- The following areas have stepped access: the Grotto.
- The following areas have step-free access via slopes: most areas of The Grotto.
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Circulation
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- There are no doors along circulation routes.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and permanent physical obstructions.
- There is a low colour contrast between the walls and floor along most circulation routes.
- There may be background noise.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
The Grotto - The Rotunda and Dome
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Access
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- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of walkways.
- The following areas have step-free access via slopes: throughout The Grotto.
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Circulation
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- There are no doors along circulation routes.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and permanent physical obstructions.
- There is a low colour contrast between the walls and floor along most circulation routes.
- There may be background noise.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
The Altar Chamber
- The Altar Chamber is located at the end of the Serpentine Passage.
- There is step-free access via a slope to this area.
- The slope has a slight gradient.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- There are no doors along circulation routes in this area.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and permanent physical obstructions.
- The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There may be background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
Standard Toilet
- The shared standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
- The toilet is located to the right side of the gift shop.
- The distance from the entrance is 10m.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
- There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
- This route has narrow walkways and narrow openings.
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- There is written text signage on or near the door.
- The door opens outwards and has a medium colour contrast.
- The width of the opening is 71cm.
- There is a second door.
- The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
- The width of the opening is 71cm.
- Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
- Hand washing facilities include: a wash basin and a soap dispenser.
- The wash basin has a push tap.
- Hand drying facilities include: a hand dryer.
- A baby changing table is available .
- The height of the baby change facility when in use is 119cm.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.