Access Guide
Helping you to make the most of your visit
We want all of our visitors to have a bostin’ day out at the Museum and we’re working hard to make our site as accessible as possible.
On this webpage, you will find:
- Our Access map (last updated in January 2020)
- Information on accessible toilets, assistance dogs, Changing Places facility, induction loops, parking, places to eat and drink, printed information, transport on site, and wheelchair and mobility scooter access
- A link to find out more about our Access Tours
If you wish to personalise how you view this webpage, click on ‘Accessibility Tools’ in the top menu to change the font, font size, colours, and to use the ‘playback’ function.
3D models
There is no lift to the first floor of the Cast Iron Houses. Please ask the Historic Character in the houses to show you the immersive 3D visuals of the family bedrooms. There is also a 3D tour of our Drift Mine available to view. Please ask a member of our Mine Team to watch it.
Access map
We recommended having a look at our accessibility map (also available in our admissions area) to plan your future visit. It was last updated in January 2020. Please speak to a member of staff should you have any questions or require assistance when you visit.
Accessible toilets
There are adapted accessible toilets in the following locations:
- Several accessible toilets located in the Visitor Centre.
- In the Workers’ Institute Café.
- Two in the Elephant & Castle Public House – one downstairs and one upstairs (accessible via a lift. Please speak to staff for lift access).
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome across our whole site, including our buildings. A secure, designated rest area can be found by the Trap Shop (next to the Bottle & Glass Inn).
Changing Places
A Changing Places facility is available at Brook Entrance (opposite the Visitor Centre). This is accessed with a Radar key and includes a changing bench, accessible shower, height adjustable washbasin and a hoist.
Find our toilet on the Changing Places Toilets website.
Induction loop
Induction loops are located in the Visitor Centre in the café and shop.
Parking
We have 15 designated disabled parking bays in the main car park. Should the main car park be full, staff will be on hand to direct visitors to our secondary designated disabled parking bays in our overflow car park (16 bays available, equivalent distance from Visitor Centre).
Places to eat and drink
There are various places to purchase food and drink across the Museum with dietary needs catered for. Take a look at our ‘Food and drink’ webpage for full information.
Printed information
To help you make the most of your visit, you can download large print information sheets on some of our buildings. Click the link to download.
Transport on site
Manual wheelchairs
The Museum has a small number of manual wheelchairs (rated 18 stone/115 kilos weight). Advanced booking is required and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please call 0121 557 9643 or email [email protected]. There is no charge for the use of these wheelchairs.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own wheelchair or motorised scooter in order to get around the Museum. These ideally should be used along pedestrian routes, taking care to avoid collision and blocking paths. Please follow route markings and remember that BCLM is a 26 acre open air Museum site so don’t forget to charge your scooter fully before arriving.
Accessibility vehicle
The Museum has a vintage style vehicle, ‘Doris’, named after the mother of one of the original donors of the vehicle. Doris is the Museum’s accessibility vehicle; she has a tail lift to enable visitors in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues easy access. Doris is able to carry manual wheelchairs and pushchairs, but not motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
You can request Doris at any time by calling our Duty Manager on 07788 666161 or emailing [email protected]
Wheelchair and mobility scooter access
Wheelchair and mobility scooter access is available on the site with some areas on an incline and uneven surfaces. There is stepped access to many of the shop entrances. Portable ramps are available to allow access to many of the shops and buildings.
Access Tours
Our specialist Access Tours take place once a month on a Saturday and begin with an introductory welcome to the Museum. A dedicated tour guide will be with you for the duration of your tour.
Come and explore the Museum on our Audio Descriptive tours, led by an Audio Described specialist, who will reveal Black Country history through touch and handling experiences.
Join our Deaf Friendly tours facilitated by a qualified British Sign Language interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing visitors.
Get in touch
We appreciate that finding a balance between historical authenticity and access for all can be testing. We welcome your feedback on how your visit went.
If there’s anything you’d like to tell us, please email [email protected] and we’ll try and respond within 14 days. If you’re emailing about a recent visit, it would be helpful if you could include your customer number, which you can find on your receipt.