Access

Getting Around the Museums

An Access Guide for Visitors with Special Needs

Introduction

This leaflet provides basic information about the accessibility of the seven main Museums of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. These are:

• Blists Hill Victorian Town*
• Museum of The Gorge
• The Iron Bridge & Tollhouse
• Museum of Iron & Darby Furnace
• The Darby Houses
• Coalport China Museum
• Jackfield Tile Museum

*As well as the information here, a more detailed Access Guide is available for Blists Hill, accurately indicating the level of accessibility and facilities available. It can be obtained from the Reception desk at Blists Hill; Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre, or by post from: The Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Coalbrookdale, Telford, Shropshire TF8 7DQ. Tel: 01952 884391, Fax 01952 884391, or email: tic@ironbridge.org.uk

Visitors with Physical Disabilities

All the Museum sites welcome visitors with disabilities, but some of the sites present certain difficulties to those with mobility problems. These are clearly indicated in this guide. For ease of reference we have graded physical accessibility in the following three ways:

Visitors with Visual Impairment

One of the great joys of visiting many of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums is to experience the noises and smells of the exhibits. Few objects are in glass cases. The invitation is to touch and experience. A number of exhibits are staffed by Demonstrators who are happy to give a very full expansion of their role and provide the opportunity to touch items. Please make yourself known to staff. Large print guides are available at all main sites. A few of the museum locations are considered unsuitable for visitors with visual impairment, but we advise that you bring a sighted companion to gain the most rewarding experience.

Visitors with Hearing Impairment

Staff at the Reception desks at all Museum sites are trained in the Sympathetic Hearing Scheme. A guide who is trained in British Sign Language is available at weekends by prior arrangement with Visitor Information. The Blists Hill site has induction loops installed in the Reception and Shop areas, and in some exhibits. There are induction loops at the Museum of the Gorge and the Tourist Information Centre. Please switch your hearing aid to 'T' position to use the loops.

1. Blists Hill Victorian Town

A 50-acre site that depicts a living Victorian community around 1900. Along the gas-lit streets, past railway sidings, yards and pigsties, shops and offices, you can hear the hiss of steam and clank machinery, taste the butcher's pies, drink beer in the pub and smell candles in the candle factory. A steep hill splits the site into Upper Town and Lower Town. Free site maps and a separate detailed Access Guide for Blists Hill are available at the Entrance (01952 582050) or the Tourist Information Centre (01952 884391).

Car Park ***

Tarmac, with eleven designated spaces for visitors with disabilities.

Access

Entrance Building: ***
Steps or a 20-metre long ramp (1:16), both with handrails. Level within the Café, toilet and souvenir shop. Wheelchairs available on loan.

Entrance Toilets: ***
At both upper and lower level, the toilets at the main entrance are fully accessible with side transfer and support rails. A parent and baby room with disposal facilities is available within the complex at the lower level.

Museum Site: some ***
The authentic Victorian shale surfaces can sometimes be muddy. Most Buildings are accessible with level access or ramps, but some difficult kerbs. After the Sawmill and Drapers the site begins to slope steeply and wheelchair users are not advised to go beyond this point unless in a group. Period transport - either horse-drawn or Model T Ford bus - is often available within the site, normally at a small charge, but free to visitors with disabilities. Otherwise, it is possible to return to the main entrance and travel by car down the main road 600 yards to the staff car park and enter the Lower Town from there. Please arrange this through the Entrance staff who will contact the Blists Hill Duty Officer, tel: 01952 582050

Visual Impairment

A delightful experience of sounds, smells and living history, demonstrated by staff who are always willing to fully explain their roles and provide items to be handled. Do make yourself known to Demonstrators, who are happy to help.

Hearing Impairment

The Sympathetic Hearing Scheme is in operation. Induction loops are installed in the public telephone in the Entrance Café, in the Ticket booth at the main Entrance, and in the following exhibits: the Chemist, Tinsmiths, Foundry, Printers, Doctors, School and the Winding Engine. Hearing aid users can make use of this facility by switching their aids to the 'T' setting.

Refreshments ***

The Tea Room at the Entrance has level access and there are some moveable seats and a low counter. The New Inn pub should be approached form the rear (garden) entrance up a 2-metre ramp (1:10). Rooms on the ground floor have level access but the old bar counters are high. The upstairs Club Room serves food, but is only accessible via a flight of steps. The Forest Glen Refreshment Pavilion in Lower Town has level access, moveable seats and a fairly low and accessible counter. All Catering facilities have special cutlery and crockery. Please ask.

Toilets ***

WCs in the Entrance and the Forest Glen are fully accessible, with support rails and space for sideways transfer. Nappy changing facilities are available in male and female toilets at the New Inn and in all toilets at the Forest Glen (including the disabled toilet).

2. Museum of The Gorge

Here you will find an audiovisual introduction to all the Museum sites. Formerly the Severn Warehouse, it was built in 1834 to store the iron products of the Coalbrookdale Company prior to shipment down the River and on to the world's markets. Some redisplay work was done in 2001 after the record floods of the previous winter. There are historic products, interactive exhibits, touch screens and rubbings, and also a spectacular 12 metre (40 foot) model of the Gorge as it was in 1796. Souvenir shop.

Car Park ***

Public car park with tarmac surfaces and three designated spaces for visitors with disabilities. Parking is 'pay & display', but free to Orange Badge holders and coaches.

Access ***

The approach to the Museum is over hard surfaces, partly by a ramp (1:12). The exhibition area is level and accessible to wheelchairs. Wheelchair loan available.

Refreshments

None in the centre, but the town of Ironbridge has many cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Toilets ***

Nappy-changing facilities are available at both male and female toilets inside the Museum. A toilet for visitors with disabilities is located in the car park some 22 metres away from the Museum entrance. Entry is by RADAR key with ramp access to a level area with an outward-opening door, side transfer space and support rails.

3. The Iron Bridge & Tollhouse

Built in 1779, this is the first major cast-iron bridge in the world, a spectacular advertisement for this versatile material. It is the focal point of the Gorge and has been a centre of attraction for over 220 years. On the north bank, the town of Ironbridge developed from the early 1780s. The bridge is open to pedestrians, but now closed to vehicles and free of tolls.

Car Park ***

There is a car park on either side of the Bridge, both are Pay & Display, but free to Orange Badge holders. There are two designated spaces available in Ironbridge Square car park and five on the opposite bank in the Station car park. Free coach parking is also available on Station car park.

Access ***

The Bridge: from the Station car park there is a 5-metre ramp (1:7) with a tarmac surface. On the northern side there is about 100 metres of mixed tarmac and paving varying between 1:10 and 1:20. The Bridge has quite a steep slope to its crest (about 1:8) and a firm surface. There is a defined footway on each side with a 10cm cast-iron kerb, but no dropped kerbs. The bridge itself is in the guardianship of English Heritage, not the Museum Trust.

The Tollhouse: has a 7cm step up, and a 5cm step down. Redisplayed in 2003, the ground-floor is the Tourist Information Centre with a small shop and is accessible to wheelchair users. The upper gallery has an exhibition with graphic panels and is accessible only by stairs. A booklet with full colour reproductions of the graphic panels is available from the staff here.

Toilets ***

In the square on the north side of the River, about 30 metres from designated parking spaces. The approach is by a tarmac slope (1:20) with a wide door locked with RADAR key. It is outward opening with a fairly strong spring. Inside there is turning spaces, side transfer and support rails.

4. Museum of Iron & Darby Furnaces

In the eighteenth century this valley was the most important iron making centre in the world. The Museum of Iron was redisplayed in 1995 and tells the history of iron making and the story of the Coalbrookdale Company, with working exhibits, models, audiovisuals and historic artefacts. On the top floor is an exhibition about the 1851 Exhibition at Crystal Palace and its legacy at Coalbrookdale. The exhibits include tactile decorative ironwork which should provide interest for visitors with visual impairment.

Car Park ***

Firm tarmac surface with dropped curbs opposite in the main entrance.

Access

Museum of Iron : ***
On three level floors with a lift for use by people with impaired mobility. Wheelchair loan available.

The Darby Furnaces: ***
Located at the end of a long tarmac path with a steep ramp. An industrial monument with interpretation boards, hence it may be of limited interest for severely visually impaired visitors.

Refreshments ***

Fully accessible coffee shop on the ground floor of Museum of Iron with moveable seats. Special cutlery and crockery is available on request.

Toilets **

A wheelchair accessible toilet is located off the main car park next to the Museum of Iron. Nappy changing facilities are available in both the adjacent male and female toilets.

5. The Darby Houses

These former Quaker family homes are next door to each other and about 100 yards from the Darby Furnaces. They contain period rooms - set around 1780 in Dale House and 1850 in Rosehill House - with personal affects of the Darby Family and the period rooms. The galleries on the upper floor of Rosehill House contain family effects which are explained with large print labels.

Car Park *

Very limited; a few spaces are available at Rosehill House for use by visitors with disabilities. The surface is slightly uneven brick paviours. Access is otherwise by foot 250 yards from the Museum of Iron car park and via a steep (1in8) footpath.

Access **

Rosehill House has two floors open to the public. The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users; on request, the Receptionist can make easier access available through a side door, approached from the car park. The upper floor is only accessible by stairs. Dale House is all on the ground floor and accessed through the front door by a ramp (1:12). There are firm shale paths between the two houses.

Refreshments

None.

Toilets *

No disabled toilet. There are nappy changing facilities in the ladies toilet.

6. Coalport China Museum

Coalport china was made here until 1926 when the company moved to Staffordshire. The old works have been restored as a museum of china showing the techniques of manufacture, the products of Coalport and the story of the people who worked here. There are many new displays since 1996. Ceramic Workshops are available at a small charge and they are specially adapted potters' wheels available for use by visitors with mobility impairment, though booking for the workshops is essential (telephone 01952 580650). The shop carries an extensive range of modern Coalport china.

Car Park *

Firm shale; two designated spaces for visitors with disabilities.

Access **

A wheelchair entrance is provided to the shop and Museum. This is reached by a ramp of 6 metres (1:10) with a 5cm step at ground level, a level platform at the top, and an easy inward-opening door. The ground floor is fairly level and accessible, with one internal ramp (1:8). The upper floor is reached by stairs only. Entry to the lower display area and yard is accessed from outside via a side gate. Please ask the Receptionist for assistance. Wheelchair loan available.

Visual impairment

The China Museum provides a rewarding experience for visitors with visual impairment. Demonstrators explain how pottery is made and decorated and provide many items to touch.

Refreshments ***

Available at Blists Hill Victorian Town, about 5 minutes drive from Coalport.

Toilets ***

Wheelchair accessible with side transfer and support rails. Nappy changing facilities are available in the both male and female toilets.

7. Jackfield Tile Museum

This remarkable collection of red-brick buildings in the little settlement of Jackfield is the most complete 19th century decorative tile factory surviving in Britain. Several of the buildings are open and contain a kaleidoscopic variety of Victorian wall and floor tiles, many of which can be touched, making this site particularly rewarding for visitors with visual impairment. Tile decorating Workshops are available at a small charge, though booking is essential (telephone 01952 884627). Specialist tile shop.

These former Craven Dunnill works are gradually being restored and are mainly Victorian in origin. The many steps can present difficulties to those with mobility impairment.

Car Park *

The unsurfaced car park creates difficulties for those with severe mobility impairment.

Access *

On three levels with many stairs. The Museum is full of tactile displays, and demonstrators will provide interpretation in the Decorative Tile Workshops. Wheelchair loan available.

Refreshments

Hot and cold beverages, pastries and confectionary.

Toilets ***

Wheelchair accessible with side transfer and support rails. There are nappy changing facilities in both the mail and female toilets.

General Information

Admission Charges

All the museum sites have individual admission rates, but an economical way of visiting is to buy an Annual Ticket and Passsport. This ticket offers unlimited day time access to all ten museums for 12 months from the date of purchase. If you do not managed to visit all sites within the first 12 months, you are welcome to make one visit to the museums you've missed at any time in the future. There are reductions for senior citizens and students or children. There is also a family passport available which admits two adults and up to three children.

Link to prices

At present, not all the museum sites are fully accessible to those with disabilities; accordingly, half-price admission is offered. Some Visitors with disabilities will need a companion, in which instance the companion is also admitted at half price.

Opening Times

The Museums are open daily from 10am until 5pm, with the exception of Broseley Pipeworks which is open daily from 1pm during the main season only. Some of the museums close from November to March (inclusive) - please call for details. All of the museums are closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. To avoid disappointment please call the Tourist Information Centre for details.

Wheelchairs

Available on loan from all Museum sites, though we regret they cannot be booked in advanced.

Parking

For visitors with disabilities parking is available in marked bays close to the entrance of most sites. Central Ironbridge car parks are 'Pay & Display' but are free to Orange/Blue badge holders. All Museum-owned car parks are free.

Toilets

Toilets that are accessible to wheelchair users are located at most museum sites. They are unisex and indicated by a 'disabled' symbol.

Guide Dogs

For both visually and hearing impaired visitors, guide dogs are welcome at all sites. Water bowls are provided at most staffed areas.

Catering

Thick handled cutlery, special needs crockery and non-slip mats are available in all tea rooms and restaurants. Please ask for these to be provided. The majority of the Museums' catering facilities are fully accessible.

Acknowledgments

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is grateful for the generous support it has received towards these facilities for visitors with disabilities, particularly from the following organisations:

• Abbey National Charitable Trust
• The ADAPT Trust
• BT Communications Programme
• Foundation for Sports & the Arts
• The Haywood Foundation
• The Headley Trust
• John Coates Charitable Trust
• The Lady Forester Trust
• The Moores Family Charity Foundation
• National Power
• New Careers Training, Shropshire
• Telford College of Arts & Technology
• Telford & Wrekin Council

Further Information

We are happy to answer any questions you may have, or to hear your suggestions for improving disabled access. Please contact the Access Co-ordinator, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Coalbrookdale, Telford, Shropshire, TF8 7DQ

For further information an all aspects of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust contact:

Tourist Information Centre
Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Coalbrookdale
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7DQ

Tel 01952 884391
Fax 01952 884391
e-mail: tic@ironbridge.org.uk