Our museum is in an historic building and this could make access difficult for some of our visitors. The details below should be helpful in planning your visit.

Click here to download our accessibility guide

 

Help and Assistance

Our Visitor Experience Team are there to help all of our visitors at any point during a visit. They can help you find your way around the museum and answer any questions you may have.

We are working toward being a dementia friendly museum.

‘For visitors who identify as having an access difficulty please talk to our Visitor Experience team when you arrive as they may be able to help you. Alternatively, please enquire in advance using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Communication lanyards are available upon request.

Admissions

Free and reduced-price admission is available – please click here for visitor information.

We do not currently operate a fast-track entry system for visitors with additional needs, but if you need assistance when queuing please ask a member of staff.

 

Parking

There is no parking at the museum.

Cars can drop off at the front of the museum by prior arrangement. The closest parking is a five minute walk and has 350 spaces. The Marygate car park, Frederick Street, York, YO30 7DT.

Marygate is off Bootham, the A19, which is the main road into York from the north.

Free parking for blue badge holders is available immediately outside the car park, located between the entry and exit points. For further car parking information please click here.

 

Toilets

Toilets are available on the lower ground floor. There is an accessible, gender neutral toilet on this floor. There are baby changing facilities in the accessible toilets.

 

Physical Access

The museum is set within York Museum Gardens. The Gardens are fully wheelchair accessible with gently sloping pathways. There is a ramp to the left hand side of the museums main entrance.

The museum is on three floors and there is a lift situated by the main staircase. The lower ground and the ground floor are fully accessible to wheelchair users. The first floor is mainly accessible.

We have a wheelchair that can be booked on request. Please contact 01904 687687 in advance to book

There is a map of the museum available to download here.

 

The TA Hall

This large auditorium seats around 280 people and has 10 designated wheelchair spaces. This space is used for lectures, films and special events. There is a loop system available in this space.

 

Lift Access

The three floors of the museum can be accessed by the lift, although the reading room and library can only be accessed via a short set of stairs. There are handrails on the stairs and there is seating available around the museum.

 

Mobility Aids

We have a manual wheelchair that visitors are welcome to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask a member of our Visitor Experience Team on arrival.

Mobility scooters are permitted. We ask that drivers take care when driving through the gallery spaces.

 

Pushchairs

Pushchairs can be taken into the galleries or left in a safe space at the reception area, there is limited space so we ask that pushchairs are folded in order to allow more space for other visitors’ pushchairs.  Remember to take any valuables with you.

 

Animals 

We welcome all assistance dogs to our sites. We ask that they are appropriately trained, supervised, and kept with you at all times as we do have many objects on open display. Water can be provided on request.

Where possible, assistance dog owners should bring their Assistance Dog UK (ADUK) identification book and animals should wear the appropriate tabard or harness.

If you have any further questions, including requests to bring assistance animals other than dogs to our sites, please contact us ahead of your visit and we will be happy to help.

 

Noise Levels

The museum can get very busy. We suggest that if you would prefer to visit at a quieter time, weekdays after 3pm during term time or when we open on Sundays tend to be less busy, although we cannot guarantee it.

As we get busy, some of the areas can be quite noisy including reception. We do have a hearing loop fitted in the building.

We have 2 pairs of ear defenders available for use by visitors. These can be adjusted for use by adults or children. Please ask staff for assistance if you wish to use them.

 

Light Levels

Light levels might be kept low to help in the conservation of our objects. There is always a lighter area nearby, but if you do require assistance, please ask one of our guides.

 

Films

Please be aware that some of our gallery spaces may have films running. If this is an issue for you, please inform a member of staff on arrival and they will offer advice on how to avoid those areas if at all possible.

Staff should also be available to help on gallery if needed.

Alan the dinosaur Virtual Reality is currently out of order, we do apologise for any inconvenience.

 

Signage and Display Information

All of our signage and display information uses a clear font and is at least 16pt.

80% of our visual interactives have subtitles.

Easy read guides (admission information only) and colour overlays for dyslexic readers are available upon request.

 

Tours and Talks

We have a range of online talks and tours coming up. Check our events page here for more information.

 

Shop

Our museum shop is fully accessible and situated on the ground floor.

 

First Aid

There is always a trained first aider on duty. First Aid kits are available for trained staff to use and a defibrillator is available. Please ask for help if required.

 

Visit Guide

Download our visit guide to help you before and during your visit.

 

Please note the Virtual Reality and the Mesolithic tent are no longer in use.

 

Interactives

There are some activities throughout the museum relating to the objects on display.

 

Additional Information

Click the logos below for more information on external websites.

   

 

 

Contact Us

If you need any more information please call us on 01904 687687 or fill in this online form.

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