Welcome
Our beautiful small museum celebrating Britain's extraordinary Paralympic heritage is based within a very accessible building, there are many disabled parking bays, an induction loop at reception, full wheelchair access, accessible toilets, cafe seating and assistant dogs are welcome. Our displays incorporate an access intro panel, large print, braille and widgit guides, some audio guides and descriptions, BSL in films and subtitles, QR codes for personal devise media access and an induction loop for the Dr Guttmann display. There are plenty of pre-visit guides inlcuding a presentation and sensory needs maps. We are the birthplace of the Paralympics!
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Sports Stadium reception desk. Entry is FreeSports Stadium toilets. The building that the National Paralympic Heritage Centre is based in.Stoke Mandeville Stadium CafeAccess with steps
There are steps from the main entrance to:
National Paralympic Heritage CentreHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Aylesbury Station is in fact closer than Stoke Mandeville Station by a mile, and getting a taxi from Aylesbury is easier.
Travel by taxi
There may be other taxi services and changes to services may be subject to change beyond our control
Parking
There is a slight slope from the carpark down to the Stadium where the Heritage Centre is, it is regulary used by wheelchair users.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The Stoke Mandeville Stadium hosts many wheelchair sports events and is fully accessible for users. The first doors are automatic sliding and then inner doors are side hung with automatic opening.
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Sports Stadium reception desk. Entry is Free
Entrance to the Stadium and to the Heritage Centre is free for everyone.
Things to See and Do
National Paralympic Heritage Centre
We can dim the lights according to visitor needs. The heritage centre is small so we don't put seating in there as it could obstruct wheelchair users, but can provide seats for guests placing chairs from the cafe area in the Centre. Everything can be viewed from a seated position.
Public toilet
Sports Stadium toilets. The building that the National Paralympic Heritage Centre is based in.
The toilets are standard height. There are some disable toilets suitable for wheelchair users with wide entrances and wide spaces to the side and handrails both sides. There are also hand rails in all the other toilets.
Place to eat and drink
Stoke Mandeville Stadium Cafe
The Cafe is not our facility but is part of the Sports Stadium. It is therefore best to talk to them directly. Music can be turned off by request.
Getting around outside
Paralympic Heritage Trail, free downloadable App
The trail is downloadable as an App, and will be available from the Autumn 2022. It can be completed as a whole or completed as far as you wish to go. It has been designed so you can do the trail virtually if you have not got the ability to visit us in person.
Customer care support
Previsit:
A previsit presentation
Sensory needs maps
3D virtual tour
Visit:
An introduction panel explaining about access.
Large print guides
Braille guides
Widgit guides
Some touch objects
Audio guides and descriptions
British Sign Language in all the films
Sensory needs workshop to assist engagement and sensory needs support.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support
Information can be downloaded from our website in advance. We have BSL experts that we pay to come and do tours on request.
We can arrange tours for groups with accessibility requirements tailored to their specific needs. There are QR codes to access audio and video and interactive displays, for people who may not have arm and hand movement to press buttons or manage headphones. All are events are organised as inclusive and we recognise we are on a constant journey to improve access and welcome constructive comments and feedback.