Accessibility
Accessibility guide for North Lincolnshire Museum.
Welcome
North Lincolnshire Museum is committed to being accessible for everyone. Here you can find information about accessible facilities and resources across the site and plan your visit.
To be welcoming and inclusive our Front of House team have undertaken the following training:
- Welcome All, 2019
- Disability Support, December 2020
- Step Inside Dementia Training, January 2021
- Disability Confidence Training, September 2021
- A Great Welcome for All, March 2023
- Autism Awareness, February 2023
“As a full-time wheelchair user I was pleased to be able to access all the exhibits. Thank you. We had an enjoyable hour or so.”
Rosie Pugh, visitor feedback in January 2022
Visual Story
A visual story to support visitors in preparing for their trip to North Lincolnshire Museum.
Find Out More about our Visual Story
Sensory Backpacks
Visitors of all ages and needs are welcome to pick up and use resources such as torches, magnifying glasses and fidget toys.
Find Out More about Sensory Backpacks
Sensory Map
This map aims to represent a typical sensory experience at the Museum. We hope this resource will support visitors in mapping out their own visit before they arrive.
Find Out More about our Sensory MapToilets
There is a small accessible toilet for customer use which includes a baby change area. The disabled toilet is just through the main doors on the right.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access with no ramp or stairs to get into the toilet. The route is 870mm wide, or more. The toilet door is 870mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.
There is 980mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 450mm high. The toilet has handrails.
Changing Places Toilet: the nearest Changing Places Toilet is situated at The Pods Leisure Centre
Blind/ Visually Impaired Visitors
- We have contrast markings on all glass doors and contrast markings on all full-height windows.
- Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
- Object information in large print is available in each gallery.
- Magnifying glasses are available at Reception.
Assistance Dogs
The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs is located behind the Museum in the staff car park. The staff car park is between the visitor car park and the main entrance, approximately 40 meters from the main entrance.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
We have emergency evacuation procedures for visitors with disabilities.
Deaf, Deafened or Hard of Hearing
- There is a hearing loop on Reception and in the Community Gallery.
- All videos used within gallery spaces include subtitles.
Assistance Dogs
The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs is located behind the Museum in the staff car park. The staff car park is between the visitor car park and the main entrance, approximately 40 meters from the main entrance.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
We have emergency evacuation procedures for visitors with disabilities.
Neurodiverse Visitors
Our Visual Story supports visitors in preparing for their trip to North Lincolnshire Museum. It guides readers through each step of the day with photographs and simple descriptions of things you are likely to see, feel and hear.
The Sensory Backpack includes resources that provide entertainment, stimulation and support with engaging with the exhibition spaces and collections. The bag also includes a visual timetable and timer. They are free to use and are available on the front desk of the museum.
Mobility Impaired
Path to Main Entrance
From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
The path is 1440mm wide, or more. The path is slightly sloped.
There are two routes from the visitor car park to the main entrance. The first route is the path through the archway from the car park to the path in the Museum Gardens. The path runs alongside the Museum and round the front of the building to the main entrance.
The second route is the path from the car park entrance along Vicarage Gardens. The path is straight with dropped kerbs where required. The entrance to the Museum is on a very gentle slope.
Main Entrance
The main entrance has level access.
The main door is sliding and automatic. It is 1540mm wide.
Reception
From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 800mm wide, or more.
The reception desk is straight in front of you when you enter the Museum. Although we do not have a lower section of the counter, the person manning reception can easily come out from behind the desk to greet visitors.
Lifts
We have two lifts: the main platform lift and a short access platform lift. You can get a lift to all floors. Both lifts can be used by visitors with access needs, those in wheelchairs and people with pushchairs.
Main Platform Lift
The main lift is a platform lift. The SWL (safe working load) is 400kg.
The lift door is 930mm wide. The lift is 980mm wide. The lift is 1460mm deep.
The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.
The lift can be accessed through Reception, opposite the reception desk. The door opens outwards to allow easy access. The lift runs between the ground floor and first floor. When in the lift you press and hold the button for the floor you are going to. When you reach the floor, you keep holding the button and the door will open so you can leave the lift.
Short Access Platform Lift
The short access platform lift is on the first floor between the main exhibition gallery and the Archaeology Gallery. The lift is operated by pressing a button. The max weight load is 225 kg.
Additional Seating
Folding chairs are available to borrow from reception to accompany you on your visit. Simply request a folding chair as you pass through reception.
Coloured Overlays
We have coloured overlays available to borrow, they are situated in the Jurassic Sea Gallery. If you find these beneficial you can take them around the Museum with you.
Gift Shop
From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 870mm wide, or more. The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.
The gift shop is fairly spacious, there is room to freely move around if visitors would like to browse. The only item taking up floor space is a circular display unit. This is on wheels and can be moved quickly to make more space for visitors.
Galleries
Jurassic Sea
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 800mm wide, or more. The door is 800mm wide.
Jurassic Sea is a level area with display cabinets on both sides of the walkway. There are no items on the floor so visitors can move freely through the space.
Steel Town
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 800mm wide, or more. The door is 800mm wide.
There are seats for visitors.
Steel Town is a level area with display cabinets on both sides of the walkway. There are no items on the floor so visitors can move freely through the space.
Dudley’s Den
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 800mm wide, or more.
Access to the room is through a sliding door. The sliding door is left open during Museum opening hours. The door is 1490mm wide.
Dudley’s Den is our dedicated area for under 5s. There are low tables and chairs for under 5s, and a soft play area in one corner.
The Ironstone Cottage
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 770mm wide, or more. The door is 770mm wide.
The Ironstone Cottage was moved from the centre of Scunthorpe and rebuilt at the Museum. As a traditional cottage it is small inside. The ground floor has three rooms. The Cottage is on two levels. There is level access to the Cottage from Steel Town. There is a step from the Cottage back room down to the front room.
The front room can be viewed from the step of the back room. Visitors do not need to pass through the Cottage front room to access the rest of the Museum. There is level access to the Local History Gallery from the Cottage back room into the Cottage pantry.
Local History Gallery
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 800mm wide, or more. The door is 800mm wide.
There are seats for visitors.
The Local History Gallery is a level area with display cabinets on both sides of the walkway. There are no items on the floor so visitors can move freely through the space.
People’s War Gallery
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 920mm wide, or more. The door is 920mm wide.
There are seats for visitors.
The People’s War gallery is a level area with display cabinets and period room displays around the walkway. No visitors are allowed into the period room displays, which can be viewed from behind clear acrylic barriers. There are no items on the floor so visitors can move freely through the space.
Post War Gallery
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1210mm wide, or more. The door is 1210mm wide.
The Post War Gallery is a level area with display cabinets and period room displays around the walkway. No visitors are allowed into the period room displays, which can be viewed from behind clear acrylic barriers. There are no items on the floor so visitors can move freely through the space.
There is a staircase from the Post War Gallery to the first floor of the Museum. There is no lift from the Post War Gallery to the first floor. Visitors who require the lift should retrace their route to the main lift in Reception.
Archaeology Gallery
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the main lift to this area, the route is 900mm wide, or more. The door is 900mm wide.
There is a short access platform lift between the main Exhibition gallery and the Archaeology Gallery.
There are seats for visitors.
The Archaeology Gallery is a level area with display cabinets on both sides of the walkway. There are no items on the floor so visitors can move freely through the space. There is a low activity table and chairs for the under 5s in the Bronze Age area.
Exhibition Galleries
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
The door is 1490mm wide.
There are seats for visitors.
The Community Gallery
From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 810mm wide, or more. The door is 810mm wide.
There are seats for visitors.
Getting Around Outside
Courtyard Garden picnic area
From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The path is 800mm wide, or more.
The entrance is 800mm wide.
Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.
The Courtyard Garden is accessed through the Museum Reception and Jurassic Sea, via a lightly sloped concrete ramp.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
We have emergency evacuation procedures for visitors with disabilities.
Getting Here
Our address is:
Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7BD
Travel By Bus or Train
The Museum has good public transport links. We are easily accessible by train or bus.
The bus station is in the town centre on Fenton Street DN15 6QU. Walk through The Foundry shopping centre to the High Street. Turn left onto High Street. Continue up High Street until you reach the traffic lights. Turn left onto Oswald Road. The Museum is approximately a ten minute walk away on the right, just before St. Lawrence’s Church. The bus stop is 1 miles / 1.6 km from North Lincolnshire Museum.
Several bus companies operate services at this station:
The nearest train station is Scunthorpe. The railway station is a two minute walk from the Museum, on Station Road, DN15 6PY. Turn left out of the station. Walk to the road junction. The Museum is on Oswald Road, in the gardens on the opposite corner. The train station is 0.0 miles / 0.0 km from North Lincolnshire Museum.
Trainline has information about coach and train services to and around Scunthorpe:
Travel by Taxi
- You can get a taxi with JUJ Taxis by calling 01724 711111.
- You can get a taxi with Ashby Cars by calling 01724 644444.
- You can get a taxi with Premier Cabs by calling 01724 411111.
Travel By Car and Parking
The free visitor car park is behind the Museum, off Vicarage Gardens. The postcode for a Satnav to the car park is DN15 7BB. The car park is open 10am to 4pm.
There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point does not have a dropped kerb.
There are two parking bays for visitors with disabilities in the visitor car park.
Its a short walk on level ground from the car park to the main entrance, there are about 79 paces. There is no ramp and no lift. There are dropped kerbs between the visitor car park and the Museum entrance, which can be accessed with a wheelchair.
Please contact us for any accessibility enquiries:
Email Museum@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297055. Emails will be responded to within 24 hours.
Guide last updated: July 2023