Accessibility Guide for Clifton Park Museum

Travel by public transport

You can get to Clifton Park Museum by bus, train and tram.

The nearest bus stop is directly outside the Museum. If travelling from the Bus Station you need to catch the number X1. The bus stop is 0 miles / 0.0 km from Clifton Park Museum.

The nearest train station is Rotherham Railway Station. The train station is 0.8 miles / 1.3 km from Clifton Park Museum.

The nearest tram station is Rotherham Railway Station. The tram station is 0.8 miles / 1.3 km from Clifton Park Museum.

The nearest Railway Station is three quarters of a mile away, this station is used for trains and trams.  Taxis are available from here or you could walk to the Museum.  Should you choose to walk you will go up a moderate incline for the majority of the journey.  

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with A1 Taxis by calling 01709 555555. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is not free.

Although no designated drop off point, you can pull up outside the main entrance or near the shop entrance. The car park is pay and display, you can pay by cash or over the telephone. For Blue badge holders parking is free in any designated bay as long as the Blue badge is displayed. There are 143 parking spaces with an additional 5 designated accessible parking bays. From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The path is sloped.

The route is 1200mm wide, or more.

The nearest Blue badge parking space is 41 metres away from the main entrance and 16.5 metres away from the shop entrance.  There are 5 dedicated accessible bays.

Path to main entrance

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

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The main door is side hung and automatic.

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 1 lift.

You can get a lift to all floors.

Lift to all floors.

The lift door is 900mm wide.

The lift is 900mm wide. The lift is 1500mm 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.

The lift goes between ground level and the first floor, all buttons have Braille on them.

Ticket/ information desk

Gift shop reception desk.

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 900mm wide, or more.

The door is 900mm wide, or more.

The desk has a low section.

The desk is situated within the gift shop and can be accessed directly from the outside by level access or from inside the museum or cafe.  All access routes are level, there are automatic double width sliding doors from the outside and manual single wooden doors which can turn into double from the museum or single door from the cafe.

Lion's Den, under 5's area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 940mm wide, or more. The door is 940mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

This area is small, some of the accessories can be moved to give more space when needed.  Nelson the Lion is one of the much loved exhibits that visitors want to see.

Public toilet

Unisex accessible toilet.

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

You need a RADAR key to open the public toilet.

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

The route is 900mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 900mm wide.

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

There is 1100mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1300mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 460mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The accessible toilet is through an outward facing single light door with a twist lock.  The toilet is 215cm x 188cm in size.  The sink is fixed height and the toilet roll holder is on the left hand side at a height of 123cm.  There is a colour contrast between the walls and critical surfaces, the utilities are white.  The floor is non slip.  Wall mounted and drop rails are available on either side of the toilet.

Next to the unisex accessible toilet there are also male and female toilets which do not require a key to unlock.  The male toilet contains 1 cubicle and urinals as well as a baby changing unit.  There are sinks and 2 hand dryers.

The female toilets contain 4 cubicles, 1 with handrails and an outward facing door.  There are 3 standard height sinks and 1 low level sink as well as 2 hand dryers and a baby changing unit.

Within the Park there is an accessible toilet with a hoist, to access this you would need to contact the Parks department prior to your visit and they will be able to arrange this.  Please either email Clifton@rotherham.gov.uk or telephone 01709 254588.

The nearest Changing Place toilet can be found at Riverside House (S60 1AE) which is roughly 1.2 miles away.

 

Shop

Gift Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 880mm wide, or more. The door is 1900mm wide.

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

The gift shop and can be accessed directly from the outside by level access or from inside the museum or cafe.  All access routes are level, there are automatic sliding doors from the outside and manual wooden doors from the museum or cafe.  There is a a reception desk with a low level counter and a hearing loop system which staff are trained to use.  The products are displayed primarily on open shelving at a variety of heights; retrieval of items from the highest shelves may require assistance for wheelchair users.  

Place to eat and drink

The Granary Cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 900mm wide, or more. The door is 900mm wide.

To get to a table, there are no steps.

The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you.

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

There is no background music.

The table and plates have high colour contrast.

We cater for vegetarian specific diets.

The menu is includes a selection of freshly made sandwiches, warm flatbreads, freshly made soup (winter months) and a selection of cakes and freshly made flapjack and scones.  With prior notice we will try to accomodate specific catering needs.

Archives & Local Studies searchroom

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 900mm wide, or more.

The door is 880mm wide.

The searchroom is accessed via the Gift shop through an outward facing manual door.  There is ample room for wheelchair users, staff members are available to assist where needed and with any queries.  Magnifying glasses are available if required.  There is a portable hearing loop on the reception desk.  Tables and chairs used by researchers are fixed height, chairs used at the computer tables are swivel and adjustable height.

The main park.

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

The Museum is situated within a public park, access to the park is free at all times.  There are various areas within the park including open grassland, formal gardens,play areas,skate park and basketball court which are free and always open.  There are other areas which have either specific opening times or may be chargeable, these include the water play, fun fair amusements, bowling, tennis and crazy golf. 

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

We have a hearing loop in The Gift Shop and in Archives & Local Studies.  There is also have one more portable hearing loop which could be used anywhere within the Museum building if needed..

Magnifying glasses are available within the galleries and can be provided on request in Archives & Local Studies.  Mobility scooters can be hired for free from the Garden building for a refundable deposit.  The Garden building is situated near to the Museum building.

There is plenty of open grassland directly outside the museum, there are dog waste bins located around the park. A water bowl is also available outside the Walker Cafe.

We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.

Although we do not have a designated space, if you speak to a member of staff in the museum they will find you a suitable place where you can charge your scooter or chair.

You can hire mobility equipment from Parkgate Mobility by calling 0800 7720 744.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Flashing lights are in the accessible toilet and the shop area only.  Staff are situated throughout the building and will assist with the evacuation should the fire alarm be activated.  All public areas are checked by staff to ensure everyone is out safely.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

One member of staff has recently completed the Accessbility Champion Train the Trainer programme accredited through Access for All UK , the majority of staff have undertaken the Accessbility training course.  Some members of staff have completed stage 1 Makaton.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

With prior notice tours can be provided for groups.  Staff on duty will also provide assistance where needed to ensure the visitor gets the best out of the visit.