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Accessibility Guide for Wardlaw Museum

Contact for accessibility enquiries: Catherine Cruickshank

email addressmuseumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk phone number+44 (0)1334 46 1660 websitehttps://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/museums/
Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews University Badge

Guide last updated: 25 March 2022

  • At a glance
  • Getting here
  • Arrival
  • Getting around inside
  • Getting around outside
  • Customer care support
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Welcome

The Wardlaw Museum takes visitors inside the University, with four thematic galleries on its groundbreaking research and global impact, showcasing its extraordinary art, history, science and natural history collections. Complemented by an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions, interactive experiences for all ages, and a beautiful sea view from the terrace and garden, the Museum is a major new cultural space for St Andrews.

Image shows outside main door and front gate of the venue
  • Level access icon Level Access
  • Access with steps icon Access with steps
  • Hearing icon Hearing
  • Visual icon Visual
  • General icon General

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Gallery One Gallery Two Galley ThreeGallery FourAlbany Gallery Toilets Museum Shop Route to toilets Corridor between galleries Museum Outdoor area

Access with steps

There are steps from the main entrance to:

Research Studio Learning Loft Viewing Terrace Upstairs corridor

Hearing

The fire alarm has flashing lights.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.
7A The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9AR

Travel by public transport

You can get to Wardlaw Museum by bus and train.
There are no bus stops on The Scores, the street that the museum is located on. There are a number of bus stops on North Street, the street adjacent to The Scores. The nearest post code to this bus stop is KY16 9AA, which is 63.23 metres away. The closest bus stop to the Wardlaw Museum is the stop which is located beside Butts Wynd. From here, it is a 2 minute walk to the Wardlaw Museum. The buses that stop here are as follows: CG1 MD5 92 92A 92B 92C 92D There is a bus station located in St Andrews. From here, it is a ten minute walk to the Wardlaw Museum. The bus stop is 0.1 miles / 0.2 km from Wardlaw Museum .
The nearest train station is Leuchars train station. The train station is 5.5 miles / 8.9 km from Wardlaw Museum .

The nearest railway station is Leuchars, which is 5.5 miles away, around 11 minutes by car. See https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/stations-and-facilities/leu for more details. 

Taxis are available at the station. If you require an accessible taxi you can book this in advance at : 'Town and Country Taxis',  t: (01334) 840444, web. www.townandcountrytaxis.co.uk 

There is a regular bus service from Dundee via Leuchars station into St Andrews - Stagecoach route no.99 - low floor access, wheelchair access, Wi-Fi. For more information please see the Stagecoach website - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/routes/eastscotland/99b/dundee-rail-station-dundee-railstation/xhao099b.o

All no.99 buses will take you to St Andrews bus station, 0.5 miles from the Wardlaw Museum.  The 99A, 99B and 99D will all take you into the centre of St Andrews. 

Parking

If visitors require a drop off point, please get in touch with the museum and we will happily book a disabled car parking space. There may be spaces on the street outside the museum (The Scores) to drop off, however, space can be limited as it is a one way street with cards also parked on this street. North Street is only a short walk away from the museum and has more spaces to drop people off.

There is currently no visitor cark parking, however, there is disabled parking. Pleae make the museum aware if you need the facility beforehand and we will ensure there is a space for you. 

This can also be used as a drop off servies for visitors who need this facility. There is no kerb as it is directly onto the road and path. 

image shows car park from car park entrance. Two disabled parking spaces can be seen closest to the museum entrance.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
The path is 1420mm wide, or more.
The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The door is 1200mm wide.
The main door is side hung and automatic.
The main door is sliding and automatic.
Image showing the automatic sliding door from outside Image showing the automatic sliding door from inside the museum

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

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

Lift to all floors

The lift door is 900mm wide.
The lift is 1000mm wide. The lift is 1300mm 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 takes you to all floors. Lift will make a noise when it arrives on your floor. The buttons are raised and have braille. There is also bannisters to hold on to in the lift. There is a mirror on the back of the lift. Lift will announce what floor it is going to before leaving. Lift will also announce if there is something blocking the doors and preventing them from closing.
Image shows lit door Image shows lift button, which are raised.

Gallery One

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1260mm wide, or more. The door is 1260mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Videos have subtitles.

Although stated there is no seating, we are happy to provide light, portable seating to visitors. 

We are looking to add this in this gallery. 

Image of Gallery One showing space available Image of Gallery One showing space available

Gallery Two

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1260mm wide, or more. The door is 1280mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Videos have subtitles.

Although stated there is no seating, we are happy to provide light, portable seating to visitors. 

Image shows gallery entrance, the narrowist part but can be widened. Image shows gallery layout and space Image shows gallery layout and space

Galley Three

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1260mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Videos have subtitles.

Lighting in this room is dimmer than the previous galleries.

Although stated there is no seating, we are happy to provide light, portable seating to visitors. 

Image shows entrance to gallery three and layout Image shows exit of gallery three, from the next gallery, and layout

Gallery Four

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 890mm wide, or more. The door is 1260mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Videos have subtitles.

Although stated there is no seating, we are happy to provide light, portable seating to visitors. 

Image shows entrance to Gallery 4 from Gallery 3. There are several glass cases with objects inside them. Image shows entrance to Gallery 4. There are several glass cases with objects inside them. Image shows route to exit Gallery 4. There are glass cabinets on the left and several hanging paintings on the right hand side. Image shows entrance into Albany Gallery from Gallery 4.

Albany Gallery

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1260mm wide, or more. The door is 1300mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.
Videos have subtitles.

This is our temporary exhibtion space and will change several times throughout the year. 

We are currently showing:

Cult, City, Church: Medieval St Andrews and the Hardyng Map 

Image shows entrance to Albany Galley Image shows what is immediately right of entering gallery. It shows a narrow pathway to the Hardyng map Image shows the layout of the Hardyng map exhibition. There is a map on the left and a glass cabinet on the right. Image shows the layout of the Hardyng map exhibition from the back. There is a map on the right and a glass cabinet on the left Image show narrow passage way to go back into the Medieval St Andrews exhibition Image shows Albany Gallery exhibition from the back. Various glass cases with objects can been seen in the centre of the space Image shows the narrowest part of the exhibition space mage shows Albany Gallery exhibition . Various glass cases with objects can been seen in the centre of the space.

Research Studio

From the main entrance to this area, there are 20 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Videos have subtitles.

The Reseach Studio door is not automatic and will always be kept shut as it is a fire door. However, a member of staff will happily assist anyone who needs help accessing these spaces.

This is a temporary exhibtion space currently showing, Sex as Subverstion, Fantasy and Power: The Beggar's Benison Club. Due to the nature of this exhibition a trigger warning is in place. There is a sign on the door advising people as such. 

This is the smallest gallery space in the museum but is bright and spacious. 

Image shows fire door into Research Studio. Image shows Research Studio layout as you walk into the room Image shows Research Studio layout. To the right, there is a low glass cabinet with an object on display. Image shows Research Studio layout from the back of the room. There is a colourful map on display on the far wall.

Learning Loft

From the main entrance to this area, there are 20 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

The Learning Loft door is not automatic and will always be kept shut as this is a fire door. However, a member of staff will happily assist anyone who needs help accessing these spaces.

This is a temporary exhibtion space currently showing, Dive In! 

Image shows fire door into Learning Loft Image shows entrance of the Learning Loft. A table can be seen on the lower right hand space and a large open space can be seen Image shows a number of tables set up in a line with chairs around these tables Image shows the open space of the learning loft from the back of the room. There is a table set up on the right with objects.

Viewing Terrace

From the main entrance to this area, there are 20 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.
There are seats.

Viewing Terrace shows view of the sea and beaches of St Andrews.

There also a couple of accessioned objects in this area. It is outside and there is no shelter. As such, we may need to close this due to adverse weather. 

The door going onto the viewing terrace is automatic. 

Image shows viewing terrace door. Automatic button can be seen on the right hand side. Image shows viewing terrace. It has a wall around the perimeter a couple of feet high  but there is a glass corner.

Public toilet

Toilets

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 850mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 850mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left.
The toilets have handrails.
Image shows disabled toilet

Shop

Museum Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1320mm wide, or more. The door is 1320mm wide.
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

The shop is immediately as you come into the museum. You also leave the museum through the shop. 

The reception desk is located by the shop and the till point is a the recpetion desk. There will always be a member of staff at the desk so if you ever need help, you can find someone there. 

Image shows reception desk and shop till with a member of staff working Image shows shop as you enter museum. There are grey, metal displays with various items on there for sale. Image shows the shop. There are grey, metal displays and a table in the middle with various items on there for sale.

Route to toilets

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more.

Route to main toilets can be seen from main entrance/ Recpetion desk. 

Toilets available are disabled toilets, female, male and unisex. 

Sanitary products are availble in the female and disabled toilets for free for anyone who needs them. 

Baby change is available on site. 

We also offer free sanitary products to anyone who may need them. 

Image shows corridor to toilets. Disabled toilet door is can be seen from here Image shows disabled toilet. Image shows toilet entrance. Women toilet door on right, men's toilet door straight ahead

Corridor between galleries

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1050mm wide, or more.
The door is 1050mm wide.

There are several ways to get to this point. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, we are implimenting a one way system for the meantime. Signage will be clear and throughout the museum and staff will be happy to help with and questions or queries. 

Image shows corridor between gallery one and two. The lift to the first floor is on the left. Image shows corridor between gallery 4 and the exit to the shop. The stairs to the first floor can also been seen on the left.

Upstairs corridor

From the main entrance to this area, there are 20 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

This hallway will take you to the viewing platform, the Learning Loft or Reseach Studio. The Learning Loft and  Reseach Studio are currently holding extra exhibtion spaces and are the areas events will often take place. 

The Learning Loft and  Reseach Studio doors are not automatic and will always be kept shut as these are fire doors. However, a member of staff will happily assist anyone who needs help accessing these spaces. The door going onto the viewing terrace is automatic. 

There is also a refugee point up the stairs in case of emergencies on this floor. 

Image shows automatic door onto viewing terrace. Lift exit can be seen on right. Image shows fire door into Research Studio. Stairway onto ground floor can be seen on the right. Image shows fire door into Learning Loft Image shows refuge point for the first floor

Getting around outside

Museum Outdoor area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 930mm wide, or more. The entrance is 930mm wide.

The gate to this outdoor area will be open when the museum is open. Anyone is free to walk around this area. 

Image shows side gate to enter museum garden. Image shows garden and a wide garden path. The museum building is on the left. Image shows garden and a wide garden path. The museum building is on the left. Image shows the path outside the entrance of the museum. There are bushes and trees on either side.

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We are currently in the process of having a hearing loop installed and collating large print guides. 

Emergency evacuation procedures

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

If there was to be a fire evacuation, visitors should vacate through the nearest exit. This will either be the main entrance through the shop, Gallery 2 or the Albany Gallery. If the visitor is upstairs, there is a fire exit clearly signed, through the refuge point door. If the visitor is unable to get down the stairs, they should wait at the refuge point. There is a call button and they should press this. A member of staff, if safe to do so, will appraoch the area and assist if possible. 

Image showing the refuge point sign on the door on the first floor of the museum.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
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.
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