Accessibility Guide for The Beacon Museum

Travel by public transport

You can get to The Beacon Museum by bus, train and boat or ferry.

Strand street bus stop is a three minute walk away and is wheelchair friendly with lowered kerbs between there and the museum. The bus stop serves most major bus routes in and out of Whitehaven. There is a covered shelter at the bus stop. If getting off the bus there, visitors would turn immediately right towards the harbour and they will see the Beacon Museum around the harbour to the left. The main shopping street, Lowther street is also immediately adjacent to that bus stop. The bus stop is 0.2 miles / 0.3 km from The Beacon Museum.

The nearest train station is Whitehaven Railway station. The train station is 0.6 miles / 1.0 km from The Beacon Museum.

The nearest port is Whitehaven Harbour. The port is 0 miles / 0.0 km from The Beacon Museum.

The Beacon Museum is situated immediately beside the harbour. Private berthing opens up to just across the street from the museum. 

The railway station is a 10 minute walk from the museum, following past Tesco's (situated in front of the station) and along the harbour. The Beacon Museum is visible as a lighthouse shaped building throughout this walking journey. 

 

You can get a taxi with Downton travel by calling 01946691511. You can get a taxi with J&J by calling 01946691415.

Parking

We have a car park. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is not 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 14000mm wide, or more.

the narrowest point is between safety bollards at the base of the sloped access ramp

Path to main entrance

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

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

2 Automatically opening bifold doors at either side of a glass entrance porch

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have contrast markings on all glass doors and high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 2 lifts.

You can get a lift to all floors.

Main Lift

The lift door is 9000mm wide.

The lift is 13000mm wide. The lift is 14000mm deep.

The lift says the floor number at each floor.

The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.

The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.

Access lift to the top floor (from 4th Floor)

The lift is a platform lift.

The lift door is 9000mm wide.

The lift is 8000mm wide. The lift is 12000mm deep.

Platform lift is operated by staff assistance via a telephone receiver

Carpark outside area leading to Portal

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 14000mm wide, or more. The entrance is 17500mm wide.

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

We have a hearing loop in At reception/ activity room/ with any audio within permanent exhibitions.

Safety evac chair for disabled users in event of fire evacuation

Magnifying glasses

Tactile directional signage (levels listed in braille) 

Large print information available

 

 

Grassy areas are available with bins just outside the museum for toileting assistance dogs. We ask that this area is kept clear at all times. Dog bowl with water is located beside the entrance.

You can hire mobility equipment from Cumbria Mobility by calling 08006120109.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

The fire alarm has flashing lights.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

Braille signage

Staff guide available to accompany visitors with visual or hearing impairments (please pre-book by phone or email)

2 wheelchair accessible toilets (3rd floor and Ground floor) with pull cord alarms in case of emergency