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Welcome

Compton Verney is an award-winning art gallery in a Grade I listed Georgian mansion, set in 120 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown parkland within the beautiful Warwickshire countryside.

The gallery is home to six diverse collections from around the world, showcasing works that reflect the interests of founder Sir Peter Moores, whose vision for the gallery was to provide a venue to share his passion for art. Since opening in 2004, the gallery has built a reputation for quality in everything it does – from innovative, world class exhibitions to the warm welcome from staff and volunteers.

 

Watch the video: Compton Verney - great day out
A group walking down the driveway to the gallery

Level access

The main entrance has level access. The ramp is permanent.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

The Welcome CentreThe GalleryTicket desk in the Welcome CentreToilets in the Welcome CentreToilets in the GalleryThe Compton KitchenGallery ShopThe ChapelThe ParkPlayground and Forest School

There is level access from the car park to:

Various areas throughout the park
The hide entrance has level access.

Hearing

We have a hearing loop in In the Welcome Centre, Shop and Compton Kitchen.
All staff have disability awareness training. Some staff have BSL training.

Visual

Glass doors have contrast markings.
The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
We have display information in audio and large print.
We have information in audio and large print.

General

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.
We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
All staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Compton Verney
Nr Warwick
CV35 9HZ

Travel by public transport

You can get to Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park by bus.
The bus stop is by the main gate to Compton Verney0.0

Bus service is run by Johnson’s and is the No. 6, Stratford upon Avon to Banbury. You need to request the driver to stop.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Diamond taxis by calling 01926 888862. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
We have a transfer service for visitors. Wheelchair users can use the transfer service.

We have a wheelchair accesible minibus which runs from our main car park to the gallery

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. 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 route is 5000mm wide, or more.
We have a transport service, to take visitors from the car park to the main entrance. Our transport service is wheelchair accessible.

There are 12 dedicated Blue Badge parking bays in the car park, located in front of the Welcome Centre. We provide a minibus which has an automatic ramp. The minibus can take 1 wheelchair at a time. The ramp is also suitable for a standing passenger, for example a visitor who requires a walker or can't manage the steps into the vehicle.

The minibus shuttle with ramp in operation to assist a wheelchair user and their helper The shuttle with a visitor using the step to get into the vehicle Entrance to the Welcome Centre Disabled bays in the car park

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
There is a permanent ramp.
The path is 5000mm wide, or more.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
There is a permanent ramp.
The main door is side hung and automatic.
The door has a push button to open it.

The doors to the Welcome Centre are open automatically on a sensor. The main door to the Gallery is operated by a push pad.

Front of the Welcome Centre showing automatic doors Sloped path to the main Gallery entrance

Getting around inside

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.
Chinese gallery showing varied display heights and lighting levels

Lift

We have 3 lifts.
You can get a lift to all floors.

Main lift

The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
The main lift has room for wheelchairs and assistors. Inside the lift are Braille signs.
Main lift with doors open Close up of Braille signs which are located next to the lift on all floors and also inside the lift

Platform lift in British Folk Art Gallery

The lift is a platform lift.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
This lift only goes from the mezzanine to the second floor. The main lift also goes between these floors.
The platform lift in the British Folk Art Gallery

Lift to the Learning Centre

The lift is a platform lift.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
This lift is only to access the Learning Centre which is used by schools.

Ticket/ information desk

Ticket desk in the Welcome Centre

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The desk has a low section.

The Welcome Centre has level flooring throughout, automatic doors, disabled toilets, a low level counter for admission tickets and hearing loops.

Welcome Centre ticket desk

Things to See and Do

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.
We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
We have display information in: audio and large print.
We have a designated quiet space.

The Welcome Centre

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.
Videos have subtitles.

The Welcome Centre has a small shop and interpretation area where you can find out about the history of the site.

Welcome Centre showing the shop area

The Gallery

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.
Videos have subtitles.

The Gallery has level access throughout. The collection and exhibition is over four floors with lift access throughout. The collection is quite diverse and some areas are low lit to protect the artworks from light damage. Large print guides are available for every collection and the team of staff and volunteers are always on hand to offer assistance. We use a variety of display methods  - some works are hung on the wall, others are in cabinets. Where there are art works on the wall the mid-point for the hang height is generally between 1400mm to 1500mm. All doorways are DDA compliant although, due to the historic nature of the building, do vary in width.

The Chinese gallery showing a display cases with different heights The British Folk Art gallery showing wide spaces and different display heights A team member holding open one of the gallery doors - the team are always happy to help. Large print guides are always available and the team are on hand to help. Doorway to one of the collection spaces View of the Naples Gallery showing artworks

Public toilet

Toilets in the Welcome Centre

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.
The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.
Accesible toilet in the Welcome Centre

Public toilet

Toilets in the Gallery

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 2000mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 1500mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.
There is 1300mm at the side of the toilet. There is 2000mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.

There are 3 accesible toilets in the main building - 1 on the ground floor,1 on the first floor and 1 on the third floor.

Shop

Gallery Shop

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

The shop stocks a variety of items which are displayed at different heights. The counter has a low level area. The team are always on hand to offer assistance if required.

View of the shop counter. View of the shop showing display heights and spaces between units.

Place to eat and drink

The Compton Kitchen

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 2000mm wide, or more. 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 sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free), nut free, low fat and vegan specific diets.

The Compton Kitchen provides a varied menu that changes every week on a three week cycle. The team will advise on dietary requirements. The cafe is assisted service - some items you help yourself to, other items are served by staff. Staff are always on hand to help with trays. The counter has a low area and there is a tray rail.

Compton Kitchen counter showing low area and food options

The Chapel

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a portable ramp. The route is 2000mm wide, or more.
The door is 1500mm wide.

The Chapel is located behind the gallery and can be reached via footpaths. Please be aware that there is a reasonably steep incline.  We can assist you with this if required.
There is ramp access to the Chapel. The footpath directly in front of the Chapel has a loose gravel surface.

  

View of the front of the Chapel showing the ramp, doorway and gravel path Inside the Chapel

Getting around outside

The Park

From the main entrance to the gardens, there is level access.
There is a permanent ramp.
The route is 2000mm wide, or more.

Throughout the park there are footpaths which have either a tarmac or compacted gravel surface. There are a few inclines in places.
The dipping pond and bird hide are accessed by boardwalks and paths which are wheelchair accessible.
Throughout the Park we have picnic benches that are adapted for wheelchairs.
The path to the ferry and the ferry itself is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs due the narrow path and stepped access to the ferry.
The courtyard and the path around the outside of the building is loose gravel, although an alternative routes through the Gallery are available.
 

View of one of the footpaths with a bound-gravel surface General view of the park

Designated Walking Trail

Various routes around the park

Some of the trail has a loose surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats. There are bird hides along the trail.
View of the entrance to the birdhide showing ramp and varied viewing heights

Birdhide by the lake

At the hide entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 1500.00mm wide.
There are low windows in the hide, so wheelchair users can see outside.

Picnic Area

Various areas throughout the park

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

We have various picnicing areas throughout the park. The tables in the Willow tunnels are the closest to a footpath.

Family sittiing at a picnic table

Playground and Forest School

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

The playground and Forest school area are located in woodland. The route to both is along a wooded tree avenue which is grassed. The path is slightly sloped and you may find some natural obstacles such as tree roots or holes dug by wildlife. The playground itself has a variety of play items suitable for children up to the age of 14 which include climbing frames and trail, swings, a zip wire and den making.

The Forest School is next to the playground and is used for school sessions and drop-in activies. The area has a wood chipped surface and the activites are all based around nature, for example, a mud kitchen and bug hunt.

Children playing in the playground Forest School area showing activity and wood chipped surface

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.
We have a hearing loop in In the Welcome Centre, Shop and Compton Kitchen.

We have stick stools available around the gallery for visitors to borrow.

We have 2 wheelchairs for visitors to borrow on a first come first served basis.

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the park and the only area we wouldn't want them using as a toilet area is the playground or Forest School.

We have various regular three-pin sockets around the building which visitors are able to use if they have the correct adapter to charge thier wheelchair.

You can hire mobility equipment from Wenman Healthcare by calling 01926 624432.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

 All team members have been trained in safe evacuation proceedures and will assist visitors as required.

Customer care support

All staff have disability awareness training.
Some staff have BSL training.
We have information in audio and large print.

We have audio on a film in the Welcome Centre which covers the history of the site and in the British Folk Art Gallery on an iPad that has headphones. Audio is used in some exhibitions which is either ambient sound as part of a display or artwork or as part of a film or sound recording which is available via headphones.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

Some tour guides have been trained to give audio-described tours.

Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.