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Welcome

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon tells the stories of the people and landscapes of North Devon. Our collections include everything from our most ancient rocks to brand new artworks. Our permanent galleries include North Devon in the 20th century, North Devon Art Pottery, the Royal Devon Yeomanry collection and Shapland and Petter furniture. Our programme includes temporary exhibitions, talks and events and the 'Curious Creators' family programme. We are open Monday to Saturday all year round, and free to all.

Photo of museum from Barnstaple Square

Access with steps

There are steps from the main entrance to:

North Devon Biosphere GalleryCoast Explorers GalleryVictorian Lives GalleryMerchants and Makers Gallery

Hearing

The fire alarm has flashing lights.
We have a hearing loop in Learning Room.
Some staff have BSL and disability awareness training.

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Museum+of+Barnstaple+%26+North+Devon/@51.0779625,-4.0611072,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x486c3a91d79e5475:0x350f69c9021819ca!8m2!3d51.0779625!4d-4.0589185?dcr=0
The Square
Barnstaple
EX32 8LN

Travel by public transport

You can get to Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon by bus and train.
The nearest bus stop is located on Taw Vale, there are also stops on the Long Bridge roundabout and Barnstaple bus station on Silver Street (2 min walk). The bus stop is 0.1 miles / 0.2 km from Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon.
The nearest train station is Barnstaple Station. The train station is 0.4 miles / 0.6 km from Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with A1 Taxis by calling 01271 322922.

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.

Orange and Blue Badge Holders may use two disabled parking bays situated outside the museum.

Photo of disabled spaces outside the 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.
The door is 1600mm wide.
The main door is side hung and automatic.
The door has a push button to open it.
Museum front door

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
Pre-History Rocks Gallery Merchants and Makers Gallery Victorian Lives Gallery Military Rooms

Lift

We have 1 lift.
You can get a lift to all floors.

Lift to all floors

The lift door is 1000mm wide.
The lift is 1190mm wide. The lift is 1440mm 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 door is activated by a push button and closes automatically.
Museum Lift Door

Ticket/ information desk

Information Desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The door is 1600mm wide, or more.

The Information/Welcome Desk is located in the foyer behind the front door.

Information Desk (shown on right).

North Devon in the 20th Century Gallery

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1800mm wide, or more. The door is 1800mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Some videos have subtitles.
Photo of North Devon in the 20th Century Gallery Photo of North Devon in the 20th Century Gallery into Victorian Gallery

North Devon Biosphere Gallery

From the main entrance to this area, there is 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
Some videos have subtitles.

This gallery features low lighting to protect objects on display.

Photo of Biosphere Gallery

Coast Explorers Gallery

The route is 900mm wide, or more. From the main entrance to this area, there is 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.
Photo of Coast Explorers Gallery

Victorian Lives Gallery

The route is 860mm wide, or more. The door is 890mm wide.
From the main entrance to this area, there is 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

This gallery features low lighting to protect objects on display.

Entrance to Victorian Lives Gallery Pathway through Victorian Lives Gallery

Merchants and Makers Gallery

There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 1140mm wide, or more. The door is 870mm wide.
From the main entrance to this area, there is 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

This gallery features low lighting to protect objects on display.

Photo of Merchants and Makers Gallery

Pre-History Rocks Gallery

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. From the lift to this area, the route is 730mm wide, or more. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. The door is 890mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

This gallery features low lighting to protect objects on display.

Photo of Pre-History Rocks Gallery

Welcome Hall (Bromleys Tearoom)

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. From the lift to this area, the route is 1000mm wide, or more. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. The door is 870mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

The Welcome Hall includes seating for Bromley's Tearoom.

Staircase view of Welcome Hall Ground floor entrance to Welcome Hall

Shapland and Petter Gallery

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 730mm wide, or more. The door is 870mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

This gallery features low lighting to protect objects on display.

Photo of Shapland and Petter Gallery

North Devon Art Pottery Gallery

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 730mm wide, or more. The door is 840mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
Some videos have subtitles.

Wheelchair users may move around the outside of the pottery gallery displays. Navigation within the cases is restricted. 

Photo of North Devon Art Pottery Gallery

Athenaeum Library

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 770mm wide, or more. The door is 770mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Entry to the Athenaeum library is through the Art Pottery Gallery.

Photo of Athenaeum Library

North Devon Yeomanry Gallery

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 730mm wide, or more. The door is 780mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

The North Devon Yeomanry Gallery is temporarily closed.

Military Rooms

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 730mm wide, or more. The door is 780mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.
Photo of Military Rooms

Railway Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 730mm wide, or more. The door is 800mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
Photo of Railway Room Photo of Railway Room entrance

Exhibition Gallery

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 1000mm wide, or more. The door is 1700mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
Photo of Exhibition Gallery

Learning Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 840mm wide, or more. The door is 840mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
There is a hearing loop.
Photo of Learning Room

Public toilet

Unisex Disabled/Baby Changing Toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1040mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 920mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.
There is 79mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1800mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 500mm high. The toilets have handrails.
Photo of disabled/baby changing toilet

Public toilet

Unisex First Floor Toilet

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to the public toilet, the route is 830mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 830mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.
There is 1040mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 440mm high.
Photo of first floor toilet

Public toilet

Unisex First Floor Toilet

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to the public toilet, the route is 830mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 830mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.
There is 980mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 440mm high.
Photo of first floor toilet

Shop

Museum Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The door is 160mm wide.
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

The Museum shop is adjacent to the front door on level access and includes a low level counter.

Photo of shop area. Photo of shop counter including low level counter.

Place to eat and drink

Bromley's at the Museum

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 890mm wide, or more. The door is 1100mm wide.
To get to a table, there are no steps.
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, gluten free (celiacs) and lactose free (dairy free) specific diets.

The Tearoom offers a limited selection of vegetarian and gluten-free menu options.

Photo of Bromley's tearooms

Getting around outside

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We have a hearing loop in Learning Room.

We welcome assistance dogs and can provide water bowls for them. Please ask staff for assistance. 

For a list of more items, please go to https://www.barnstaplemuseum.org.uk.
The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs is located within the museum reception 5 metres from the main entrance.
You can hire mobility equipment from Go North Devon by calling 01271 328866.
You can hire mobility equipment from Essential Mobility by calling 01271 859144.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.
The fire alarm has flashing lights.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
Some staff have BSL training.
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.