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Welcome

The Sill is the perfect place to start exploring Northumberland National Park, and a fantastic location to connect with nature and the National Park’s unique and special landscapes.  

Located just a stone's throw from Hadrian's Wall, The Sill is full of adventure and free to enter, featuring exhibitions, an accessible grassland rooftop walk, a cafe with views overlooking the rolling Northumberland hills, and a shop which celebrates the talent and creativity of local producers. With a calendar of events and learning activities happening throughout the year too, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 

Watch the video: The Sill Access for All Video
A green rooftop walk on top of a building.

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Welcome deskChanging Places Toilet on Ground FloorOnce Brewed cafe and bakehouseSill shopMain Exhibition areaCafe TerraceRoof Terrace

There is level access from the car park to:

Main entrance picnic area

Hearing

The fire alarm has flashing lights.
We have a hearing loop in Main exhibition room; shop, reception desk. Also have a portable hearing loop that can be used anywhere in the building. .

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.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors. The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
Bardon Mill
Hexham
NE47 7AN

Travel by public transport

You can get to The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre by bus and train.
The Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus service (AD122) runs a year-round, regular service between Hexham and Haltwhistle, visiting all the main Roman sites and The Sill. The bus stop at The Sill is located right outside the main entrance. The operator of the service is GoNorthEast. Visit: www.gonortheast.co.uk/ad122 The bus stop is 0 miles / 0.0 km from The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre.
The nearest train station is Bardon Mill. The train station is 3.2 miles / 5.2 km from The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre.

Accessibility - Go North East

 

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Ecocabs by calling 01434600600. 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 not 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 2080mm wide, or more.
Watch the video: The Sill Access for All Video
A computer rendering of a building next to a car park Accessible parking bays Wheelchair accessible bus - Go Northeast Accessible parking bays

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
The path is 1900mm wide, or more.
The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The door is 1400mm wide.
The main door is sliding and automatic.
Main entrance sliding door Footpath from accessible parking bays to main 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.
High contrast between door frames and wall High contrast on glass doors High contrast on full-height windows

Lift

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

Lift to first floor

The lift door is 900mm wide.
The lift is 1080mm wide. The lift is 1400mm 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.
Lift door Lift display inside cab Lift buttons inside cab Lift button on outside of cab

Ticket/ information desk

Welcome desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1420mm wide, or more.
The desk has a low section.
Wheelchair accessible counter

Public toilet

Changing Places Toilet on Ground Floor

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1420mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 860mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right.
There is 800mm at the side of the toilet. There is 2400mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.
Changing Places WC Changing Places WC Changing Places WC Changing Places WC door Alternative Accessible WC

Shop

Sill shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1420mm wide, or more. The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.
Main shop area Shop counter

Place to eat and drink

Once Brewed cafe and bakehouse

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a lift. From the lift to dining area, the route is 2100mm wide, or more. The door is 1250mm wide.
To get to a table, there are no steps.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is background music.
We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free), nut free and vegan specific diets.
Cafe access via lift Cafe access via door and a half Cafe seating area

Main Exhibition area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1420mm wide, or more.
Main exhibition wheelchair accessible route Main exhibition wheelchair accessible route Main exhibition

Getting around outside

Main entrance picnic area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The path is 1900mm wide, or more.
The entrance is 1900mm wide.
Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.
Picnic tables Picnic tables

Terrace

Cafe Terrace

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. There is a lift.
From the main entrance to the terrace, the route is 900mm wide, or more. The entrance is 900mm wide.
To get to a table, there are no steps.
Cafe Terrace

Roof Terrace

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. There is a lift. From the lift to the venue, the route is 900mm wide, or more.
The entrance is 900mm wide.
Roof Terrace Roof terrace Roof terrace

Customer care support

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.
We have a hearing loop in Main exhibition room; shop, reception desk. Also have a portable hearing loop that can be used anywhere in the building. .

Changing places toilet with bed, hoist and shower. Adjustable height desks for groups using our learning rooms. 

For a list of more items, please go to https://www.thesill.org.uk/visit/accessibility/.
We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.

There is a weatherproof double socket in bike shed area. 

Double socket in covered area.

Emergency evacuation procedures

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

The fire alarm system has flashing strobe lights, including on the roof terrace.

Customer care support

Some staff have attended mental health awareness training courses, including mental health in the community.  Two staff have attended Access for All UK: Accessibility Champion courses. 

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

We have braille signs on the lift doors. There are makaton signs throughout the main exhibition. We can take bookings for specialist groups who would like to visit the Sill and learn more about the national park or use our spaces for their own meetings or events. We can develop and deliver bespoke activities for people with health, access or neurological needs.

 

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.