Welcome
Situated on Margate seafront, on the same site where Turner stayed when visiting the town, Turner Contemporary presents a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions, events and learning opportunities which make intriguing links between historic and contemporary art. The gallery is on two levels and offers a space for everyone to discover different ways of seeing, thinking and learning.
Our Visitor Experience team are on hand throughout the gallery; all staff receive regular training which includes extensive disability awareness training and are happy to help you during your visit.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Sunley GalleryFirst floor gallery spacesFront deskDisabled toiletTurner Contemporary CafeTurner Contemporary ShopClore Learning StudioFoyle RoomsAccess with steps
There are steps from the main entrance to:
Front TerraceHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
You can save 1/3 on your train journey with a Disabled Person’s railcard https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/
Southeastern Railway can help you plan your train journey to Margate in advance.
https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/more-travel-help/assisted-travel
Telephone: 0800 783 4524
Textphone: 0800 783 4548
Travel by taxi
Parking
There are 7 disabled parking bays available approx. 73 meters from the gallery for people with appropriate permits only.
Please note there is no other public car parking available at the gallery.
Pay and Display parking is available opposite the gallery on the harbour arm, alternative pay and display carparks:
• College Square, Morrison's multi storey CT9 1QA (0.2mi)
• Trinity Square CT9 1HR (0.3mi)
• Free parking every Saturday at Mill Lane Car Park, Margate CT9 1JU (0.5mi)
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
From street there are 13 steps with handrails to reach the terrace area in front of the gallery entrance.
The terrace area including the stairs and access ramp is well lit after dark.
There is an access ramp located to the right hand side of the steps. The ramp has a maximum gradient of 1:20 and has a 180° turn.
The main entrance into the Wind Lobby has a double automatic glass door which will slide open as you approach it. The opening width is 1950mm.
180° to the left is the entrance to the café.
Immediately ahead the doors into the Sunley Gallery are double automatic glass doors which will slide open as you approach. The opening width is 1950mm.
The floor surface in the Wind Lobby is carpeted lobby matting with metal treads. The rest of the building has polished magnesite floors.
Getting around inside
Lift
Public lift
Ticket/ information desk
Front desk
You can find what's on guides and exhibition information at the front desk. Hearing loop facilities are available on the front desk; there is signage in place to make visitors aware of this. Please speak to a member of staff for assistance.
Things to See and Do
Sunley Gallery
The Sunley Gallery is the main entrance hall, sometimes there are performances or artworks on display in this area. The artwork in this area changes periodically. There is a permanent artwork above the main desk which includes moving neon lights.
Two wheelchairs are available for visitor use.
Benches are available around the Sunley Gallery to allow our visitors to rest and contemplate installations in the space.
The space is well lit with exceptional natural light, skylights and spot lights.
There is a set of stairs to take visitors from the ground floor to the first floor with hand rails. There are 14 steps, a landing area with a 180° turn and then another 14 steps.
Opposite the stairs is a large lift to take visitors up to the galleries on the first floor. The lift is door has a width of 440mm, the internal width is 4400mm and the depth is 3000mm. There are handrails on each side. You enter and exit the lift through the same door. The lift will announce the floor level and the floor number can be visible inside the lift. The lift is fitted with an induction loop system.
First floor gallery spaces
There are four interlinked gallery spaces on the first floor accessed by the balcony area.
There is a set of stairs with handrails to take visitors from the ground floor to the first floor. There are 14 steps, a landing area with a 180° turn and then another 14 steps.
Opposite the stairs is a large lift to take visitors up to the galleries on the first floor. The lift is door has a width of 440mm, the internal width is 4400mm and the depth is 3000mm. There are handrails on each side. You enter and exit the lift through the same door. The lift will announce the floor level and the floor number can be visible inside the lift. The lift is fitted with an induction loop system.
The double doors to all gallery spaces are step free and are 2.5m wide and 2.8m high. The doors into the galleries open inwards.
Some gallery spaces have seating and there are portable stools available on the balcony.
Large print versions of all wall text are available.
Films playing in the gallery are subtitled.
The layout, lighting and sound levels within the galleries will vary according to each exhibition, please ask for further information.
Due to the nature of contemporary art, sometimes work is included that could be distressing or inappropriate for some audiences. Clear signage will be provided and we advise visitors to ask our staff for further information where necessary.
If you would like more information about the sensory elements of the current exhibition or discuss your individual needs please call 01843 233000 or email info@turnercontemporary.org
Public toilet
Disabled toilet
There are separate accessible toilets and baby change facilities as well as ambulant cubicles in the male and female WC areas.
There is an accessible toilet located off of the Foyle Room Corridor, please ask staff for directions.
The door to enter the accessible toilet is 94cm wide. The door opens outwards and is of medium weight.
As you look at the toilet, mounted hand rails are the left of the toilet.
There is clear space of 127cm for left hand transfer.
The height of the toilet from floor to seat is 45cm.
There are fixed vertical and hinged horizontal grab rails to the left and right of the toilet.
The surface of the toilet floors is matt tiled.
Taps are automatic.
No key is required to enter the accessible toilet.
A second accessible toilet is located in the café with right hand transfer.
There are pull-cord alarms in all accessible toilets which can be activated if a visitor requires assistance.
We do no have changing places toilet facilities at the gallery, the nearest changing places facilities are at:
Gateway Plus, Cecil Street, Margate, CT9 1RE (0.3mi)
Shop
Turner Contemporary Shop
The shop is located in the main entrance area, just to the right-hand side of the Sunley Gallery.
There is a lowered section of the cash desk and card readers are portable.
Some merchandise is located high on shelves, please ask staff for assistance if required.
Display units have a minimum of 1000mm between them to allow access. All display units are on wheels and can be moved if needed, please speak to staff if assistance is required.
Hearing loop facilities are available on the main desk; there is signage in place to make visitors aware of this. Please speak to a member of staff for assistance.
Place to eat and drink
Turner Contemporary Cafe
The café is located at the front of the building on the ground floor. The café can be accessed through the Wind Lobby.
The main door entrance to the café is step free and is 1.2m wide and 2.8m high.
The counter is mid-level but all menus are displayed clearly and are visible from a seated position.
There is a clear space of 690mm under the tables.
All allergy information is available from the café staff. Please inform staff before ordering if you have any specific dietary needs.
Café staff are happy to rearrange tables and chairs for individual needs.
Large print menus are available on request.
Unisex accessible toilets are located within the café.
In the summertime the café is also accessible through the doors on the terrace.
Clore Learning Studio
The Clore Learning Studio is a space used for creative workshops, exhibitions and private events.
Clore Learning Studio is located on the first floor and can be accessed via a door on the balcony.
If you need a quiet space this room can often be a nice place to sit and relax.
Getting around outside
The main terrace area is immediately in front of the main gallery entrance. You can find posters of the current exhibitions on the terrace walls, along with a map of Margate.
In the summertime there are additional cafe tables and seating on the terrace.
Sometimes external artworks are installed in the terrace area.
Foyle Rooms
The Foyle Rooms are spaces used for private meetings and public events. The Foyle rooms are located on the ground floor accessible via the Sunley Gallery through a double doorway which opens inwards. The doorway is 2500mm wide.
Each room has a double set of doors; the doors are of medium weight and open inwards. The doorway measures 2500mm.
There is a glass door which opens outwards onto a terrace. The doorway measures 1000mm. The width of the terrace is 2820mm.
The rooms have partitions which can be removed to join the rooms together.
If you need a quiet space you can ask a member of staff to use one of these rooms if they not in use.
Customer care support
Tactile resources are available on request.
There is not a designated area to charge mobility scooters or battery powered wheelchairs but we will try to accommodate any requests to do so.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Emergency exits are clearly marked and in the event of an evacuation staff will assist in ensuring all visitors leave the building promptly and safely. Evacuation chairs are in place to aid disabled visitors and staff are trained in their operation.
Customer care support
Audio descriptive tours can be booked on request.