Accessibility Guide for Dr Jenner's House, Museum and Garden

Travel by public transport

Cam & Dursley station is served by trains from Bristol and Gloucester. There are no direct bus services from Cam & Dursley station to Berkeley, it is a 10 minute walk to connect with the 62 bus route. There is no taxi rank at Cam & Dursley so you are advised to pre-book taxis if required.

Travel by taxi

Parking

There is free parking in the level, gravel covered car park outside the museum. There is an accessible parking space to the left of the main building, clearly signposted, which can be reserved by contacting the museum.

Path to main entrance

Main entrance

The main front door is unlocked when the museum is open, although on cold days you may have to turn the handle to open the door. The alternative entrance has a wooden ramp and is normally locked so please ring the bottom doorbell if you need any assistance accessing the museum through this doorway.

Visual Impairment - General Information

Ticket/ information desk

Visitor Reception

Please start your visit at Visitor Reception, which is through the door on the left as you enter the museum entrance hall. There is a small wooden ramp leading down to this room. A portable hearing loop is available should you require this facility.

Things to See and Do

Dining Room

The Dining Room is used to show our introductory film. Please ask a member of the Welcome Team if you require a subtitled version.

Drawing Room

This room displays exhibits concerning Edward Jenner's life. Some of the displays may be dimly lit and torches can be borrowed from a member of the Welcome Team if you require.

Study

The doorway to the Study requires access at a right angle and the doorway width is 850mm. The Study viewing area is quite small (approx 1300mm x 1300mm) which might be awkward for some wheelchair users – the Welcome Team can assist if required. There is very low lighting in this room.

Upstairs displays

The upstairs displays are accessed by two flights of stairs, linked with a short landing. The stair depth is 160mm. Those who are unable to use the stairs are invited to view our Access Folder which contains copies of material from the upstairs displays.

Public toilet

Old Cyder House toilets

The accessible toilet does not meet current recommended standards in terms of space and this may make use difficult for some wheelchair users with restricted space for turning and manoeuvring. There is no transfer space for the accessible toilet. There are vertical and horizontal rails either side of the toilet. There is a low-level coat hook but no alarm cord.

Shop

Museum shop

The museum shop is located in Visitor Reception.

Old Cyder House

The Old Cyder House is used as an exhibition space and for picnics and sales of secondhand books. There is a slight lip at the entrance and we can provide a ramp if required.

Physic Garden

The Physic Garden is a new addition to the grounds since 2016. There are four large raised plant beds arranged around a centrepiece. All pathways are gravel and level. Pathways through the Physic Garden are all wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, with the minimum width at any point 97cm. There is room to manoeuvre around the centrepiece.

Potting Shed and Vinery

The interior of Vinery is accessed through a door to which there is one step (depth 30cm) and then a further 3 steps (depth 25cm). These steps lead to a viewing gallery but this is unlikely to be accessible to people with some mobility needs owing to its restricted dimensions.

The Vinery Potting Shed houses temporary exhibitions. It is accessed at two points – the main entrance is located opposite the back door of the house and access is via a small ramp to accommodate wheelchair users. The second entrance is from the Physic Garden and, while this is on the level, there is restricted space and so may not be suitable for wheelchair users.

Temple of Vaccinia

The small thatched hut called the Temple of Vaccinia is where Jenner vaccinated the poor free of charge on certain days. Access is level and there is sufficient space for wheelchair users.

Main garden

Entry to the garden from the house is via an inwards opening wide back door to the house on the Ground Floor. There is a ramp over the one step which has non-slip strips. The garden paths are level and gravelled. There are numerous benches and seats throughout the garden.

Picnic Area

Old Cyder House

The indoor picnic area is in the Old Cyder House and accessed via the museum main entrance. Seats are flexible and can be rearranged to suit, please ask a member of the Welcome Team if you require assistance.

Accessibility equipment

We have a DiscoveryPen audio guide designed specifically for visually impaired visitors. We also have a hearing loop in Visitor Reception and an Access Folder for those unable to take the stairs to the first floor. Some material is available in braille.

Emergency evacuation procedures

Please make a member of the welcome team aware if you believe you will need particular assistance in the event of an emergency.

Customer care support