Accessibility Guide for Oriental Museum

Travel by public transport

You can get to Oriental Museum by bus.

There are several express coach services daily from most major cities to Durham city. From Durham bus station, catch the 6 and 6a to Bishop Auckland and alight at the stop for the Botanic Garden. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and turn down Elvet Hill Road. You will see the museum ahead of you at the corner of Elvet Hill Road and Mill Hill Lane. This a approximately a 5 minute walk. The bus stop is 0.1 miles / 0.2 km from Oriental Museum.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Colors Taxis by calling 0191 371 2727. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with Stanley Travel by calling 0191 306 0606. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with Freedom Taxis by calling 0191 378 9963. 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 has a dropped kerb.

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

The route is 1480mm wide, or more.

The Museum has a small visitor car park for visitors, including two dedicated disabled parking spaces. These bays are located 14 and 18 metres from the Museum entrance. Additional roadside metered parking is available on Elvet Hill Road and Potters Bank. Please note that access to any other University car parks (such as the large one on the corner of Elvet Hill Road) is restricted to motor vehicles carrying an official University car parking permit. For some of our annual events (such as the Lantern Festival) we are given special permission to use the University car parks, and on such occasions a member of Museum staff will direct you to a parking space.

Visitors to Durham City's tourist attractions might also consider using the nearby Park and Ride facilities which are just a short walk from the museum on South Road. From here a regular bus service travels in and out of the city centre.

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 side hung and manual.

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have contrast markings on all glass doors.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 2 lifts.

You can get a lift to all floors.

Lift from level 4 to Level 3 and 2

The lift is a platform lift.

The lift door is 890mm wide.

The lift is 1100mm wide. The lift is 1480mm deep.

The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.

The lift has 2 doors so the door you enter into the lift is not the side you will exit

Lift from level 2 to Level 1

The lift is a platform lift.

The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.

The entrance to the lift on level 2 is not the exit side on level 1

Ticket/ information desk

Reception Desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The desk has a low section.

The Reception desk is 8 metres from the main entrance. The desk is 110cm high with a low section of 76cm. 

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

We have performances with: touch tour.

We have display information in: large print.

Level 4 Entry level

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

There is a hearing loop.

For special events we may use fairy lights that may flash/twinkle

Level 3

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.

There is a hearing loop.

Level 2

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.

There is a hearing loop.

Videos have subtitles.

Level 1

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.

There is a hearing loop.

Videos have subtitles.

Public toilet

Entrance Level Toilets

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 1010mm wide.

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

The toilet seat is 460mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The dimensions of the toilet cubicle are 195cm x 240cm

The toilet is 15 metres from the Museum entrance

There is a contrasting red toilet seat

Shop

Oriental Museum Shop

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

Place to eat and drink

Self Service Cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. To get to a table, there are no steps.

The dining area is self-service. The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.

There is no background music.

We cater for vegetarian specific diets.

The first table is 5 metres from the Museum entrance.

Table height is 72cm

There is no fixed seating so all tables and chairs are moveable

Picnic Area

Outside of Museum entrance

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Visitors can enjoy their own food at the picnic tables and are also able to eat/drink items from the self-service cafe at these tables. 

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

We have a hearing loop in all areas.

Sensory bags for autistic visitors 

Large print guides

Dementia friendly

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We have information in large print.