Access Guide
Overview
-
About
View
- Richmondshire Museum has a wide collection of historical artefacts, is an archaeological repository and plays an active educational and community role.
- Facilities available in the venue include: galleries, exhibitions, workshop and study space.
- View information on opening times
-
Parking and Public Transport
View
- The venue shares a car park which has Blue Badge parking available.
- There is a public car park nearby.
- The nearest train station is Darlington.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
-
Getting In and Around
View
- There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
- The lower ground, ground, first and second floors can be accessed via a standard lift.
- The following facilities are available: a water bowl for assistance dogs and a seat/chair.
- Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: Pen Friend text to audio scanner.
Sensory backpacks. - The venue can provide large print documents and virtual tours.
- Staff receive the following training: autism and dementia awareness.
-
Toilet and Changing Facilities
View
- There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
- The toilet with adaptations is located on the first floor.
- The shared toilet facilities are located on the first floor.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptions on the first floor.
Parking
- The car park is located to the right side of the museum entrance.
- The car park is open air/surface.
- There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
- There are no hatched/marked zones.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
- This car park is for staff and Blue Badge holders only.
- Parking is free for all users.
- Parking spaces need to be reserved in advance.
- The venue has a public car park nearby.
Entrance
- This entrance is located to the left hand side of the museum.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- The door opens towards you.
- The width of the opening is 83cm.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Counter (Reception and Shop)
- The counter is located immediately through the entrance door, slightly to the right hand side.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 76cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
- Staff will greet all clients at the entrance.
Getting Around
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Herriot and Chemist displays bypass a small step (this not a through route).
- Access throughout may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
- There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
Lift
- The lift surveyed is located through the entrance and 1960's galleries, in the Transport Gallery.
- The journey time to this lift from entrance is approximately approximately 5 minutes.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and narrow walkways.
- The lower ground, ground, first, and second floors are accessed by this lift.
- All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The lift door opening width is 80cm.
- All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities.
- There are braille and raised markings outside the lifts.
Exhibition Space (Lower Ground Level)
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: The Herriot and Chemist Shop displays.
- Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is no (or very little) background noise.
- Display information includes: tactile, information boards, televisions/screens and interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
- Guided tours are available.
- There is step-free level access throughout the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
- The following areas of the tour have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Herriot and Chemist Shop displays.
- Access throughout the tour may include narrow walkways.
- Areas with stepped access only can be experienced by visitors via a virtual tour.
- Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
Exhibition Space (Ground Level)
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Childrens' Discovery Centre.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors and narrow walkways.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There may be background noise.
- Display information includes: tactile, information boards, televisions/screens and interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and benches.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
- Guided tours are available.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout the tour may include uneven surfaces, manual doors and narrow walkways.
- Areas with stepped access only can be experienced by visitors via a virtual tour.
- Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
Exhibition Space (Level One inc. toilets)
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is no (or very little) background noise.
- Display information includes: 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: chairs without armrests.
- Guided tours are available.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout the tour may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
- Areas with stepped access only can be experienced by visitors via a virtual tour.
- Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
Toilet with Adaptations
-
Location and Access
View
- The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has a lift.
- There is step-free level access via lift into the facility.
- There is Braille, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
- The door opens inwards.
- The width of the door opening is 80cm.
- The door has a locking handle.
-
Dimensions and Features
View
- There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
- The lateral transfer space is 76cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
- There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
- There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
- There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
- There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
- The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
- There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a soap dispenser and a wall mounted towel dispenser available.
- The wash basin has a lever tap.
- There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
- The cubicle has a waste bin.
- Additional features include: a mirror and a coat hook.
Exhibition Space (Level Two)
- All exhibits are indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is no (or very little) background noise.
- Display information includes: 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: chairs without armrests.
- Guided tours are available.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout the tour may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
- Areas with stepped access only can be experienced by visitors via a virtual tour.
- Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.