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Welcome

Exeter’s world-class museum has stunning displays and galleries, fabulous exhibitions and modern amenities. The displays reveal Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections. Its spectacular Victorian building links the modern city centre bustle with its historic past.

The 16 galleries on 2 floors are fully accessible to wheelchair users. Large print, hearing loops, wheelchairs, free WiFi and online BSL and subtitled videos are all available. 

For this document the Garden Entrance will be refered to as the 'Main Entrance' as it is the most accessible form of entry.

 

Watch the video: BSL Welcome Video
Garden Entrance to RAMM

Hearing

The fire alarm has flashing lights.
We have a hearing loop in Queen Street reception, Garden reception, 3 exhibiton galleries and Meeting rooms A and B.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.
The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
We have display information in large print.
We have information in audio, BSL and large print.

General

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
Queen Street
Exeter
EX4 3RX

Travel by public transport

You can get to Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery by bus and train.
Most city buses stop in the High Street or Queen Street, the nearest bus stop is 59m away on Queen Street. The main bus station is on Paris Street which is 0.6km away. The nearest drop-off point for coaches is in Queen Street outside Central Station. The bus stop is 0.0 miles / 0.0 km from Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery.

Exeter Central Station is 100meters away on Queen Street. St. David’s Station is a 15 minute walk or short bus or taxi ride away.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with W.A.V.E (Wheelchair Access Vehicles Exeter) by calling 01392 252525. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
You can get a taxi with Apple Taxis by calling 01392 434343. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
You can get a taxi with Z Cars by calling 01392 422888. You can get a taxi with Exe Cars by calling 01392 555555.

Accessible taxis should be booked in advance. Please ask to be dropped off at the Garden Entrance (which will be referred to as the 'Main Entrance' in this document) near the Phoenix Arts Centre, Gandy Street EX4 3LS.

Exeter is linked to cities throughout Britain, Ireland and Europe. Exeter Airport is located 8km east of Exeter city centre, close to the M5 motorway off the A30. A bus service between the airport and Exeter city runs approximately every hour through most of the day.

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 path is sloped.
The route is 1550mm wide, or more.

The Garden Entrance, which will be referred to as the 'Main Entrance' in this document as it is the most accessible form of entry.

There are two free bookable blue-badge parking bays adjacent to the level access at the Garden Entrance. Call 01392 265960 to book.

Alternatively you can use city centre parking: Guildhall Shopping Centre (59m away), Harlequins Shopping Centre (82m away) and Mary Arches (0.5km away). Visit the Exeter City Council website for information on all Exeter car parks.

There is a permanent ramp from the blue-badge bays to the Garden Entrance which is 1550mm wide with handrails. Alternatively there are seven gentle steps up to the entrance also with handrails.

The first Garden Entrance door is normally open and 1090mm wide.

The second door is automatic and 960mm wide.

This door leads into Garden reception on the first floor.

This entrance provides quick access to the Temporary Exhibitions and Case Histories Gallery.

A photograph of the two blue-badge holder's parking spaces at the Garden Entrance A photograph of the two blue-badge holder's parking spaces, the stairs and the ramp to the Garden Entrance

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
There is a permanent ramp.
The path is 1550mm wide, or more.
The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
There is a permanent ramp.
The door is 960mm wide.
The door has a push button to open it.

The Garden Entrance at the rear of the Museum is referred to in this document as the 'Main Entrance'. The Garden Entrance is the main entrance for people who require a quieter and more accessible entrance.

Here you can access the Garden Reception via a ramp or 7 gentle steps from the blue-badge bays.

The first Garden Entrance door is normally open and 1090mm wide.

The second door is automatic and 960mm wide.

This door leads into Garden reception on the first floor.

This entrance provides quick access to the Temporary Exhibitions and Case Histories Gallery.

We have another entrance on Queen Street which was wide pavement access.

There are eleven steps leading up to the entrance with handrails on each side.

The front doors are manual but are normally opened by Museum staff for visitors.

This door leads into the Queen Street reception.

You can also access the Queen Street reception via an level-access lifting platform.

The doors to access the lift from steet level are 1060mm wide. The lift itself is 980mm wide and 1410mm deep and includes a handrail.

The lift can hold two people at a time and the maximum weight is 300kg.

The lift doors open via button and any extra assistance can be reached via the intercom.

This entrance provides quick access to the Gift Shop, Cafe, Down to Earth and Making History Galleries.

A photograph of the ramp leading from the blue-badge bays to the Garden Entrance A photograph of the stairs from the blue-badge bays to the Garden Entrance A photograph of the Garden Entrance Doors A photograph of the stairs to the Queen Street Entrance A photograph of the exterior of the lift at the Queen Street Entrance A photograph of the manual doors at the Queen Street Entrance being opened by a museum staff member A photograph of the exterior of the Museum on Queen Street and the Queen Street Entrance

Getting around inside

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.

Lift

We have 3 lifts.
You can get a lift to all floors.

Outside lift to Queen Street Reception

The lift is a platform lift.
The lift door is 1060mm wide.
The lift is 980mm wide. The lift is 1410mm deep.
The lift includes a handrail.The lift can hold two people at a time and the maximum weight is 300kg.The lift operates between the street level and the ground floor.The lift doors open via button and any extra assistance can be reached via the intercom.
A photograph of the outside lift on Queen Street.

Lift located near Queen Street Entrance/Shop at RAMM

The lift door is 790mm wide.
The lift is 990mm wide. The lift is 2130mm deep.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
The lift operates between the ground floor and the first floor.The lift contains a handrail, mirror and mounted floor plan.There is only one entrance and exit from this lift.
A photograph of the lift located near the Queen Street Entrance/Shop at RAMM: pictured on the ground floor.

Lift located next to Garden Reception

The lift door is 1790mm wide.
The lift is 1770mm wide. The lift is 2490mm 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.
This lift operates between the ground floor, first floor, the Viewing Gallery and the Roman Wall.The lift is large, light and airy and contains a handrail, mounted floor plan and mirror.There are two entrances and exits from this lift.
A photograph of the lift located next to the Garden Reception which operates between all floors: pictured at the ground floor. A photograph of the lift located next to the Garden reception in use.

Ticket/ information desk

Garden Reception Desk

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

Wheelchairs and foldable seats can be requested here for free.

There is a hearing aid loop available at this desk.

There are display cabinets containing a selection of shop items to purchase here.

The display cabinets in this area are moveable should you need extra space.

There is seating here and floor plans are available here.

A photograph of the Garden Reception Desk. A photograph of the Garden Reception and display cabinets with purchasable items.

Ticket/ information desk

Queen Street Reception Desk

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

There is a hearing aid loop available at this desk.

Wheelchairs and folded seats can be requested here.

Floor plans are available opposite the reception desk.

A photograph of the Queen Street Reception desk. A photograph of the corridor next to the Queen Street Entrance and Reception.

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
We have display information in: large print.

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.
There is a hearing loop.
Videos have subtitles.

The galleries are connected by wide corridors and have ample space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs to move around.

For visitors who struggle to read the gallery captions there are large-print caption booklets in all galleries.

Small step stools are provided for further access to higher display cases.

Videos of RAMM’s key objects with BSL, audio and subtitles are available online, they can be found at this link https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvtZwXey1PYIGy8OtXmAjJzJ38iJZWSW6

A Museum trial featuring RAMM’s key objects with BSL, audio and subtitles is available online and can be used around the Museum on a smartphone or tablet, they can be found at this link http://m.rammtimetrail.org.uk/keyobjects/

The Viewing Gallery is located on the second floor and is accessible via the Garden Reception lift (button M2) and the stairs.

The Viewing Gallery space is 1140mm wide.

A photograph of the Making History gallery on the ground floor showcasing our wide and clear gallery spaces. A photograph of the Viewing Gallery located on the second floor next to the Garden reception lift. A photograph of the temporary Sealife exhibition gallery space. A photograph of the Down to Earth gallery space. A photograph of the wide corridors connecting the galleries. A photograph of two visitors enjoying the Sladen's Study gallery.

Roman Wall

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
The door is 960mm wide.

The Roman Wall is located on the third floor and is accessible via the Garden Reception lift and stairs.

The bridge leading out to the Roman Wall is 1880mm wide

There is an automatic door leading outside which is 960mm or more wide. There doors are usually locked in wet weather.

There is a small ramp leading onto the original wall which is 890mm wide.

There is a handrail along the wall and it is securely fenced.

The terrain of the wall is uneven after the ramp.

A photograph of the interior bridge leading outside to the Roman Wall. A photograph of the outside ramp leading onto the Roman Wall. A photograph of the exterior bridge leading back from the Roman Wall into the museum.

Public toilet

Ground floor accessible toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
The toilet door is 890mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left.
There is 820mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1440mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.

This toilet is located near the Queen Street entrance.

The toilet contains a low-level sink, handrails, an emergency pull, a low-level hand dryer and paper towels.

The flushing system is operated by a button on the wall.

A photograph of the accessible toilet located on the ground floor.

Public toilet

First floor accessible toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 870mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.
There is 980mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1470mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The toilet shares space with a baby changing area and nappy bin.

The toilet contains a low-level sink, handrails, an emergency pull, a low-level hand dryer, paper towels and a mirror.

The flushing system is operated by a handle.

A photograph of the accessible toilet on the first floor.

Public toilet

Accessible toilet by meeting rooms

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
The toilet door is 860mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.
There is 700mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1440mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.

If attending a meeting or an activities session hosted by the museum you may be located in a part of the museum not usually open to the public.

These meeting rooms have level access and are located on the ground floor at the back of the museum.

The doors to access the meeting rooms ate 880mm wide.

The toilet features a low-level basin, emergency cord, handrails, a low-level dryer, paper towels and a mirror.

The flushing system is operated by a button on the wall.

A photograph of the accessible toilet located by the meeting rooms on the ground floor.

Public toilet

Smaller accessible toilets & baby changing facilities

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
The toilet door is 710mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.
The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.

There are smaller accessible toilets located alongside the public toilets opposite the Cafe on the ground floor and with the public toilets on the first floor corridor.

Both of these toilets contain baby changing facilities.

Baby changing facilities are also accessible in the first floor disabled toilet.

The toilets contain handrails, a low-level sink, baby changing facilities and a mirror.

The flushing system is operated by a button on the wall.

A photograph of the smaller accessible/baby changing toilets located on both floors.

Public toilet

Smaller accessible toilet & baby changing facility by Meeting Rooms

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
The toilet door is 690mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.
The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.

This toilet is a smaller accessible toilet located near the private meeting rooms at the back of the museum not usually open to the public.

This toilet contains handrails and baby changing facilities

A photograph of the smaller accessible toilet and baby changing facilities by the meeting rooms.

Shop

The Shop at RAMM

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. There is a lift.
The door is 1430mm wide.
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

The Shop at RAMM is located on the ground floor.

The route to the shop from the Queen Street reception is 1670mm or more.

The doors to the Shop at RAMM as automatic and wedged open during visiting hours.

There are two low-level counters.

A photograph of the low-level shop counter. A photograph of the low-level shop counter. A photograph of the Shop at RAMM's interior.

Place to eat and drink

The Cafe at RAMM

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a lift. 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.
We cater for vegetarian and gluten free (celiacs) specific diets.

The Cafe at RAMM is located on the ground floor near the Queen Street reception.

It consists of two rooms with three entrances.

There are two adjacent entrances from the Courtyard and corridor leading into the serving area.

The other entrance is located to the right of the Queen Street reception desk and leads into the additional seating area.

The left-hand corridor entrance (leading into the serving area) is 1585mm wide.

The left-hand Courtyard entrance door (leading into the serving area) is 1130mm wide.

The right-hand entrance door (leading into the additional seating area) is 1500mm wide.

The route through the Cafe is 1900mm or more in the serving area. The additional seating area has smaller access space depending on where chairs are placed.

Some tables in the serving area are 720mm high with chairs. There are also lower 450mm high tables with sofas.

The door between the serving area and the additional seating area is 1380mm wide.

Tables in the additional seating area are 760mm high.

The self-service counter (located in the additional seating area) for water and extras is 1040mm high but staff can provide assistance.

The cafe does not have a low counter, it is 1040mm high. There is a gap in the counter where transactions can take place.

The food is locally sourced.

There are exhibition pieces mounted on the walls in the additional seating area.

The cafe provides highchairs for children.

The collection care policy does not allow food to be eaten around the museum and galleries.

A photograph of the Cafe's serving area taken from the Courtyard entrance. A photograph of the Cafe at RAMM's additional seating area and doors leading out to the Queen Street reception. photograph of the water station and high chairs located in the additional seating area.

Garden Reception Staircase

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

The stairs consist of 28 steps with three resting platforms and handrails.

The stairs have contrast markings.

A photograph of the staircase from the Ground Floor to the Garden Reception and Garden Entrance.

Queen Street Reception Staircase

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the main entrance to this area, there are 30 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

The stairs consist of 30 steps with two resting platforms and handrails.

The stairs have contrast markings.

A photograph of the staircase leading from the Queen Street Entrance to the first floor.

Viewing Gallery and Roman Wall Staircase

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

There are 14 steps from the Garden Reception to the Viewing Gallery.

There are a further 10 steps from the Viewing Gallery up to the Roman Wall.

The staircase has handrails and contrast markings.

A photograph of the staircase leading from the Garden Reception to the Viewing Gallery and Roman Wall.

Getting around outside

Customer care support

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.
We have a hearing loop in Queen Street reception, Garden reception, 3 exhibiton galleries and Meeting rooms A and B.

Foldable chairs are available on request.

There are seats and benches located around the museum.

RAMM has a complimentary ticket policy to personal assistants/carers.

Lockers are available to use at the Queen Street reception for the price of £1 which will be returned to you.

There is space to leave prams at the Queen Street reception.

There are large-print caption booklets in all galleries.

Working dogs are welcomed in the museum. Staff will be happy to provide drinking water for your dog.

Breast feeding mothers are welcomed in the museum.

There are baby changing facilities on both floors.

Free Wi-Fi allows access to online videos and collections information.

Informative videos about the RAMM with BSL, audio and subtitles are available online at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvtZwXey1PYK1E-VTIySx7cuEhXx1myTv

Videos of RAMM's key objects with BSL, audio and subtitles are available online at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvtZwXey1PYIGy8OtXmAjJzJ38iJZWSW6

A museum trial featuring RAMM's key objects with BSL, audio and subtitles is available online and can be used around the museum on a smartphone or tablet . Follow this link to access it: http://m.rammtimetrail.org.uk/keyobjects/

Beastie bags and explorer bags, available from both receptions, help young parents and children aged 4 - 14 enjoy their visits with themed activites.

 

We do not have a designated toilet area for assistance dogs. If necessary, assistance dogs can be taken to the gardens outside the RAMM by the Garden Entrance, but all dog waste must be picked up.

We do not have a specific area for mobility scooters or battery powered wheelchairs to be charged. However, our staff will be happy to help if the chairs can be charged from a regular socket.

You can hire mobility equipment from Shopmobility by calling 01392 494001.

Emergency evacuation procedures

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

In the event of a fire, lifts should not be used.

There are fire exits leading outside on both levels of the Museum. Follow the fire exit signs to find the nearest action point.

Museum staff have been trained to assist those people who are unable to use the stairs independently.

Evacuation chairs are provided at each level.

The building also has ‘refuge’ points which are areas with long fire protection times and two way communication systems.

The fire alarm system also has a strobe light visual cue. For visitors with epilepsy this should not cause difficulties as the strobe system is synchronised to prevent sporadic flashing.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have information in audio, BSL and large print.
We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.
Our lockers are currently unavailble for use. https://rammuseum.org.uk/visiting-us/enjoy-your-visit/gallery-close-up-captions/ A photograph of a phone playing a video featuring BSL, audio and subtitles in front of an exhibition. A photograph of two children in bee costumes with Beastie bags looking around the museum.
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.