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The World of James Herriot

23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, YO7 1PL

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The original home of All Creatures Great and Small, this multi award-winning visitor attraction celebrates the life and work of Alf Wight, the real James Herriot.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: exhibitions, toilets with adaptations, outdoor seating and a gift shop.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a slight ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is also the main entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the first floor.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: the shop/ticket desk, the main entrance, rear access to the gardens and some of the pathways in the garden.
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
    • The ground floor and the first floor can be accessed via a standard lift.
    • There is also a platform lift to access the upper level of the first floor.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: Braille.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Staff receive the following training: First Aid and Fire Safety.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located in the toilet block, to the rear of the museum.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located in the toilet block, to the rear of the museum.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor (accessible via lift).
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations.

Entrance (Shop and Ticket Desk)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Museum, to the right hand side.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide.
  • There is a handrail on the right going up.
  • 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 between 30cm-45cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.

Shop and Ticket Desk

  • Location View
    • The reception is located to the far right hand side, from the entrance door.
    • The distance from the entrance door is 4m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 91cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.

Entrance (Museum )

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Museum, to the left hand side.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 92cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is a second, single manual door.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 92cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium colour contrast.

Exhibitions - Ground Floor and First Floor

  • The area is both indoors and outdoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: the outdoor area of the exhibition, at the rear of the building.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • The following may be experienced here: sudden loud noises and interactive video effects.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, audio description, information boards, televisions/screens and subtitles.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.

Outdoor Seating Area and Garden

  • Location and Access View
    • The outdoor seating area and gardens are located at the rear of the Museum and can be accessed via the white door in the Memorabilia Room.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access to this area.
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 81cm.
    • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area is uncovered.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the seating area.
    • There is step-free access by ramp to the gardens.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and picnic tables.
    • The surface height of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the toilet block, to the rear of the Museum.
    • The distance from the entrance to the Museum is 30m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium colour contrast.
    • The width of the opening is 79cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 151cm (width) x 274cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 68cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the left side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 89cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 145cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 73cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Standard Lift to the First Floor

  • The lift surveyed is located in the TV studios.
  • The distance from the entrance door is 40m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The ground floor and the first floor can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 78cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 102cm (width) x 137cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a medium colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located next to the standard lift.
  • The ground floor and the first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • 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 height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Platform Lift to the Upper Level of the First Floor

  • The lift surveyed is located at the front of the Museum on the first floor, in the Veterinary Science exhibition.
  • The distance from the standard lift is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • Platform Lift View
    • The upper level of the first floor can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 300kg.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 102cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • None of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
    • The lift is slow moving.
    • The width of the door is 91cm.
    • The lift has a separate door to exit the lift.