Accessibility Guide for Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum

Travel by public transport

You can get to Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum by bus and train.

The nearest bus stop is on North Road, near the junction with Arthur Street, it is outside the Darlington Club and Institute. The bus stop is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum.

The nearest train station is North Road Station. The train station is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum.

North Road Station is not accessible for wheelchair users. Access to the station from the street is by a stepped ramp, it has a handrail. Wheelchair users should use Darlington Station and get a taxi to the Museum, it is 1.5 miles away.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with 1AB Taxis Ltd by calling 01325 282828. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with United Taxis by calling 01325 282855. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with Darlington Station Taxis by calling 01325 468888. 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 free.

There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point does not have a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The route is 2200mm wide, or more.

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 sliding and automatic.

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have contrast markings on all glass doors, contrast markings on all full-height windows and high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Ticket/ information desk

Reception and Shop

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1250mm wide, or more.

The desk has a low section.

We have magnifiers, a signature guide, a coin chart and easigrip pens are available.

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Introductory audio visual room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Videos have subtitles.

Public toilet

Main toilets

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

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

The toilet door is 800mm wide.

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

There is 800mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1400mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilets have handrails.

There is a bin suitable for incontinence products (pads, catheter equipment etc) as well as menstrual sanitary protection.

Shop

Shop at Reception

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The door is 800mm wide.

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

Place to eat and drink

Refreshment Stop

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The door is 800mm 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.

There is a range of snacks and drinks available from Reception. Staff can carry trays to the Refreshment Stop seating area. Chairs can be moved.

Place to eat and drink

Glass Corridor

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The door is 1400mm 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.

This is an area for visitors to eat their own food indoors. They can also use it for food and drink purchased in the museum.

Place to eat and drink

Cafe for events and school holidays

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 940mm wide, or more. The door is 820mm 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 background music sometimes.

We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs) and vegan specific diets.

There is a range of prepacked sandwiches, with crisps, cakes and biscuits, and hot and cold drinks available. This service is only available on event days and in school holidays. Availability of sandwiches for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs depends on demand and may sell out.

Museum displays

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 890mm wide, or more.

The main displays are on the platforms of our building, which used to be a railway station. There are original features in situ such as the newspaper kiosk and footbridge. There are display boards and glass cases, as well as luggage trolleys. Whilst the narrowest part between display items is 890mm, there are alternative routes around the displays, with most spaces being 1000mm or wider.

Temporary exhibition room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 1000mm wide.

This space is a wooden room that used to be the waiting room for the station. It has wooden benches along two walls and a metal stove at the back of the room.

Meeting room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 750mm wide.

This room is used for meetings, training and talks. Furniture can be moved to accomodate wheelchair users.

Northern Rail Activity Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 1080mm wide.

Activities for schools and families take place in this room. Furniture can be moved to accomodate wheelchair users.

Victorian Toilets Display

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 1080mm wide.

This room was the original men's toilets for the station in Victorian times. It has urinals and cubicles for display purposes only. The floor is uneven in places due to it's age, and is patterned. There is a 'carbolic soap' smell effect in this room.

Booking Office

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 830mm wide.

This room has low light levels to protect the historic furniture. There is a barrier across the room to prevent access. If staff or volunteers are available they can remove the barrier to allow access for visitors. There is a 'furniture polish' smell effect in this room. There is room for a wheelchair user to access this room but please note there is heavier furniture and old luggage items in it.

The Pease Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 810mm wide.

There is a threshold of 25mm into this room. The room has lower light levels to protect the artwork and furniture in it. There is a rope barrier across the room preventing access further into the room. There is not enough room to turn a wheelchair around inside the room. There is a film showing in the room with subtitles and BSL interpretation.

The Ken Hoole Study Centre

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 800mm wide.

This room is for research purposes and contains part of the museum archive. Visitors wishing to search the archive should make an appointment. Please mention any access requirements you have on booking and staff will do their best to accommodate your needs. Chairs can be moved to allow wheelchair access.

Children's Play Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 1060mm wide.

The play room is accessed from Reception. It has a variety of small world and imaginative play items such as a wooden train set table, Lego, dressing up clothes, jigsaws and books. Furniture and play materials can be moved to make more space.

Picnic Area

Outdoor picnic area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

The picnic area is grassed and accessed by wheelchair users over an area of crazy paving -  this is a little uneven. There is also a play train for children. In the summer there is a range of outdoor games such as giant connect 4 and jenga on the grass. The area is next to the car park and opposite the museum entrance.

Museum event field

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The entrance is 1900mm wide.

The field is used for events such as the Vintage Vehicle Rally. It is a large grassed area.

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

We have a hearing loop in Reception, Meeting Room, Ken Hoole Study Centre.

A walker, it has brakes and a seat and offers support whilst walking.

There is no specified toilet area for assistance dogs near the museum. There are public paths and areas where people are able to walk dogs within a 10-15 minute walk of the museum. Staff can give directions. If an emergency, staff could provide a space away from play and picnic areas in the museum grounds.

You can hire mobility equipment from Ableworld Mobility and Stairlifts by calling 01325 481414.

You can hire mobility equipment from Eden Mobility by calling 01325 520216.

You can hire mobility equipment from Northeast Mobility by calling 0800 1357355.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

The fire alarm has flashing lights.

The fire alarm system also has a voice that says "This is a fire alarm, please leave the building immediately".

Customer care support

All staff have disability awareness training.

We have information in large print.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

We have a Visual Guide to the museum for people with autism, and a kit bag of sensory and fidget toys for those requiring some quiet time. We will try to provide a quiet space on request, but it depends on how busy the building is.