Accessibility Guide for American Museum & Gardens

Travel by public transport

You can get to American Museum & Gardens by bus.

The nearest bus stop is at the University of Bath. The walk from the stop to the Museum will take around 15 minutes via the road or woodland path. There is no footpath adjacent to the road for half of the distance. The woodland path is not a hard surface and can be slippery. There is a steep gradient near the entrance to the Museum. The bus stop is 1 miles / 1.6 km from American Museum & Gardens.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with V Cars Bath by calling 01225464646. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. Parking is free.

There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The path is sloped.

The route is 2100mm wide, or more.

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

Ticket/ information desk

Ticket Office

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1000mm wide, or more.

The door is 1000mm wide, or more.

The desk has a low section.

Please only one person at one time in the ticket office. The counter has a clear perspex screen in place. To access the accessible path into the garden you will need to exit the ticket office and enter through the side gate. Otherwise the one way system in place leads out on to steps down into the garden. 

There is a hearing loop in the Ticket Office. 

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

New American Garden

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. From the lift to this area, the route is 800mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Manor House

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

There is a hearing loop.

Some videos have subtitles.

The Manor House is accessed by booking for a chaperoned house visit, via the Ticket Office, when on site only. There is no pre-booking in place. The chaperoned house visits are limited to a very small capacity, at set time slots. And so are only offered on a 'first come, first serve' basis. 

All 3 floors of the Manor House are accessible by using the lift. There is a one way system, led by a volunteer guide in place, at present. 

Wheelchairs are available on request. 

There is ample seating throughout the Manor House. 

Spectator/ Audience viewing areas

There are stewards to help disabled visitors.

Public toilet

Garden Cafe toilets

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp.

The public toilets by the Garden Cafe do have a step to get into them.
Wheelchair accessible toilets are located in the Exhibition Gallery building.

Public toilet

Exhibition Gallery toilets

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The route is 700mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 700mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.

The toilets have handrails.

Shop

Exhibition Gallery shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 700mm wide, or more. The door is 700mm wide.

The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

A face mask or face covering is needed to be worn when entering the exhibition building, unless you are exempt from wearing one. 

The Garden Cafe

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 800mm wide, or more.

The door is 800mm wide.

The Garden Cafe is currently only providing a take-away service via a one-way system. Card payments only at this time. Please wear a face covering in the Cafe building, unless you are exempt. 

1930s Day and Night Exhibition

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The temporary museum exhibition 'Night and Day' on 1930s fashion is now open to visit. This is located in the Exhibition Gallery buiding. There is level access throughout, and seating available. 

The exhibition currently has a one-way system in place, with moveable barriers to accomodate accessibilty. 

You will need to be given a set time slot at the ticket office building in order to access this exhibition. Only 14 visitors allowed in this space at one time. 

New American Garden

From the main entrance to the gardens, there is level access.

There is a lift. The route is sloped. The route is 1300mm wide, or more.

We have a Tramper as part of our partnership with the Countryside Mobility Scheme which can be hired by visitors to access the gardens.
Manual wheelchairs are also available.

To book in advance please email: reception@americanmuseum.org or call 01225 460503.

Watch the video: Tramper

Mount Vernon Garden

From the main entrance to the gardens, there is level access.

The route is sloped. The route is 1300mm wide, or more.

A resin bonded gravel sloped path provides access to the Mount Vernon Garden from the New American Garden.

The level access route into the Mount Vernon Garden from the Garden Cafe is via a grassed and resin bonded gravel path. The grassed section may be inaccessible after heavy rain due to waterlogging. 

There are 20 stone steps down into Mount Vernon Garden from the New American Garden.

Watch the video: New American Garden & Mount Vernon Launch

Picnic Area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The path is 1300mm wide, or more.

You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Terrace

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access.

The Terrace at the edge of the New American Garden and next to the Garden Cafe is the main outdoor seating area for visitors, especially for customers of the Garden Cafe.
It has a stone flag floor with multiple tables and chairs. Dog water bowls are provided in this area.
 

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

We have a hearing loop in Ticket Office and Garden Cafe and Gallery Shop .

We can provide three manual wheelchairs, subject to availability. Please ask at the Ticket Office on arrival.
 

For a list of more items, please go to https://americanmuseum.org/visiting-us/accessibility/.

The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs is located within the New American Garden.

You can hire mobility equipment from Mobiloo by calling 03000301255.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We have information in large print.