Venue Description

Buckingham Old Gaol Museum traces the history of Buckingham and North Buckinghamshire, from prehistoric times to the mid-20th century. Housed in the historic Grade 2* listed former gaol, it features numerous artefacts and displays, including occasional stand-alone exhibitions in the former prisoners' Exercise Yard which now has a glazed roof. Museum exhibits include displays of militaria by Bucks Military Museum Trust, prisoner conditions from when the building was a gaol, plus coins from the Lenborough Hoard that were minted in Buckingham, It also houses the only collection of Flora Thomson (Lark Rise to Candleford) memorabilia The Exercise Yard is also available to hire, and is a popular venue for business meetings, parties, training sessions, lectures and receptions of all kinds. The building also houses the local Tourist Information Centre, with leaflets and information about the area, and trained staff to advise visitors.

Accessibility

We appreciate that, as a very old building, the museum may be unsuitable for our less able visitors, but we would still like to welcome you to our virtual tour for the parts of the museum that are not accessible. Your visit would be easier to organise with at least 30 minutes notice. Disabled access is through the Antiques’ Shop via a wide lift to the Exercise Yard and ground floor exhibits. Access to the virtual tour on the terrace is also via this lift. The upper floor of the museum is typically accessed using some steep, narrow stairs which are unsuitable for our less able visitors. Ther is flat access from Market Square through the main door to the ticket office, Cell Shop and Tourist Information Office. Access to the museum is then via steep spiral stairs. The corridor on the first floor is narrow and there are further steps and low doorways to negotiate. A wide staircase returns to the ground floor where there are further exhibits, wider corridors and flat access

Awards List

Museum accredited by the Arts Council for England

Toilets

The disabled toilet is on the lower ground floor, has a wide door, space to turn a wheelchair, a grab rail and an emergency pull cord. Disabled access to the lower ground floor is available via a wide lift in the Exercise Yard on the ground floor. A member of staff from the Cell Shop or Tourtist Information Office will need to unlock an internal shop door. A Changing Places Toilet is available in Cornwall Meadows Car Park (250m away).

Staff

The Museum is staffed entirely by volunteers. The Tourist information Centre is managed and staffed by Buckingham Town Council. None of the volunteers or staff have specific training in the needs of the disabled.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Assistance dogs are welcome but there are no exercise facilities. Toileting would have to be outside the building - the nearest "green area" is about 400 metres away.

Other assistance dog facilities

Assistance dogs are welcome. Water will be gladly provided for them on request.