Accessibility
The Museum was built with access for all in mind. In consultation with advisors on the Equality Act 2010 we constantly work to improve disabled accessibility and have an access steering group, access statement and action plan.
Our access statement says:
“National Maritime Museum Cornwall strives to offer the widest possible access to our collections and resources, and to the knowledge and expertise of our staff. The Museum’s action plan demonstrates our commitment to remove barriers; be they physical, sensory, intellectual, cultural, attitudinal or financial.”
To help you plan your visit, our access guide gives detailed plans of how to get here and what you will find in the museum. This can be downloaded here.
Wheelchairs
The Museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users with:
- level access to the entrance
- companions who are required to assist disabled visitors are admitted free of charge
- lift and ramp access available to all floors including the Tower and Tidal galleries
- 1st and 2nd floor wheelchair accessible toilets
We try hard, as these visitors commented recently:
"Two of us are in wheelchairs and we found the museum to be the best accessible site in Cornwall."
"As a wheelchair user I was impressed how everywhere was accessible & I didn’t feel different from other visitors."
Parking
The nearest public car park is one hundred metres away, across the Museum Square (a level, but cobbled surface). The car park has a number of designated accessible parking spaces.
Guide dogs
Dogs are not permitted inside the Museum, however we do welcome visitors with Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. Sadly we have no facilities for dogs to be left outside safely.
'Hands-on' exhibits throughout the Museum
Many galleries include interactive exhibits and objects on open display, as well as music and oral history, which is of benefit to those with sensory impairment.
The Museum is working towards ensuring that our exhibits are accessible to all visitors and have a development plan for this work. We make every effort to ensure that staff throughout the Museum are sensitive to the particular needs that visitors may have.
For more information about the accessibility of our website click here.
Recent improvements
In response to your suggestions we have recently:
- Added a new ramp costing more than £8,000 for our largest exhibit, specifically to make it fully accessible.
- Increased on-gallery seating
- Added an improved hearing loop to our learning centre and lecture theatre
- Increased our websites DDA accessibility
- Currently developing an audio guide with the RNIB
- Introduced a large format guide book
- Increased the number of wheelchairs available
Please do not hesitate to ask if you require further assistance.
For Access Information
Contact: Milly Newman
Tel: 01326 214555
Fax: 01326 317878
Email: millynewman@nmmc.co.uk
