Accessibility Guide for Fashion Museum Bath

Welcome

Situated 10 minutes’ walk away from the Roman Baths and the centre of Bath, the Fashion Museum is a world-class museum collection of historical and contemporary dress. The Museum is located in the Grade I listed Assembly Rooms; the gallery displays showcase original historical fashions for women, men and children from the Museum collection, and dating from the 1600s up to the 2000s.

Level access

The main entrance has level access. with a lift.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Fashion Museum galleries Reception and ticket sales Accessible toilet ground floor Accessible toilet lower ground floor Assembly Rooms Café Fashion Museum Shop Public rooms in Assembly Rooms Café garden

Visual

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 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

Fashion Museum Bath

Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street

Bath

Somerset

BA1 2QH

Travel by public transport

You can get to Fashion Museum Bath by bus and train.

The central bus station is next to the train station which is a twenty minute walk away from the Fashion Museum. The nearest train station is Bath Spa. The train station is 1 miles / 1.6 km from Fashion Museum Bath.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Abbey Taxis by calling 01225 444444. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

There are on-street parking facilities reserved for Blue Badge holders on Bennett Street and in the city centre. Blue badges must be displayed at all times. Watch the video: Accessible parking in Bath

Exterior of the Assembly Rooms and main entrance to the Fashion Museum

Arrival

Path to main entrance

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

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

There is a lift.

The door is 1730mm wide.

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 1 lift.

You can get a lift to all floors.

Lifts to all floors

The doorway into the room housing the lift measures 74 centimetres wide. The Museum is on the lower ground floor and is accessible by stairs (one flight with a hand rail) or a lift. Due to the location of the lift, staff accompany visitors when the lift is required.

Ticket/ information desk

Reception and ticket sales

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

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

We have display information in: audio and large print.

Fashion Museum galleries

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

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

Public toilet

Accessible toilet ground floor

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access.

Public toilet

Accessible toilet lower ground floor

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

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

• Both of the unisex accessible toilets have a support rail, a basin with lever style taps, and an emergency-style pull cord. The flooring is non-slip laminate.

• The nearest Changing Places toilet is SouthGate Bath Shopping Centre, 12 Southgate Street, Bath BA1 1AQ

Shop

Fashion Museum Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The door is 1250mm wide.

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

• There are two sets of manual glass doors to the shop, both are 125 cm/ 4ft 2ins wide. They are usually kept open.

• The shop is level throughout, with a wooden floor.

• A low level desk and counter are provided.

• There are tall display racks and low tables accessible from a seated position.

• There is background music.

• The counter has a hearing loop system and staff have been trained in its use.

• Staff can offer assistance if required.

Place to eat and drink

Assembly Rooms Café

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The door is 1440mm 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.

We cater for vegetarian specific diets.

• We do our best to cater for any dietary requirements; please speak to a member of the café staff or call us in advance on 01225 444477 to check any specific requests you may have.

• The café is self-service; however, staff can assist on request.

Public rooms in Assembly Rooms

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

All the public rooms in the Assembly Rooms are on the ground floor and are fully accessible.

Getting around outside

Café garden

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

The café garden has a gravel surface. Seating is provided. Please ask a member of staff if you need assistance.

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

A free audioguide in 12 languages is available to guide visitors through the Museum. The languages are: English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. This has a T switch for hearing aid users.

A script is available.

There is a hearing loop in the shop.

For a list of more items, please go to https://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/accessibility.

Please ask a member of staff on arrival for directions to the nearest toilet area for assistance dogs.

• All of our staff receive regular training that includes disability awareness training.

• Assistance dogs are welcome and water can be provided upon request.

• All our information brochures, evacuation procedures etc. can be made available in large print upon request.

• A First Aider is always available on site.

• Coat rails are provided, however there is no storage available for bags or luggage.

• If you are attending the Fashion Museum for an event or to visit the Study Facilities, please contact the museum on 01225 477789 or fashion_enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk to discuss your accessibility needs.

You can hire mobility equipment from Shopmobility by calling 01225 481744.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

We have a set of evacuation procedures – should you require it, someone will assist you with evacuation, either out of the building or to a refuge. We have safe lifts and evacuation chairs to assist.

Customer care support

All staff have disability awareness training.

We have information in audio and large print.