Overview

I thought this was a fantastic experience and it shone brightly as the zenith of my time in Bath. As a fan of history, there was a lot of information contained within these walls for me to absorb – though, the key to the museum’s focus on accessibility was that this information was presented in numerous different sensory styles. Not only that, but the team behind No. 1 clearly devoted themselves to making not just an interactive experience for guests, but one that had neurodiverse visitors at the forefront of their minds, with many considerations in place that are often overlooked.

Transport & Parking

The nearest public car park is Charlotte Street which is a 5 minute walk away approximately. This may pose a challenge for those with physical disabilities. As someone with a non-physical disability, I found transportation to and from the museum easy. It is a mere 10 minute walk from the city centre. There are numerous bus options to the museum too, with the sightseeing bus stopping just outside the museum itself.

Access

The Museum is split into two sections: No. 1 Royal Crescent (the historic house) and 1a, the adjoining domestic wing. There are two routes available for visitors, one of which is step-free. Looking at this through a neurodivergent lens, the museum was very clearly laid out. Directional arrows are present on the floors throughout the building, which makes it easy for those who get easily confused or flustered find their way around. Sensory maps and social stories are available online and also to borrow during your visit. Sensory bags are also available to rent for free. With consideration to physical disabilities, the step-free route provides access to the ground and basement floors of the main house museum, as well as the ground and first floors of the domestic wing. This route is fully accessible, with an accessible lift for convenience. Sadly there is not step free access to the Museum rooms on the first and second floor, so visitors who are unable to use the stairs will miss out on four rooms of the museum. It's also worth noting that as a historic building, some of the floors are uneven. The flooring in the Basement and the Courtyard uses flagstones. The Back Stairs are very steep and narrow. A variety of seating is available throughout the museum. Look for chairs and benches without a thistle on them, these are the ones that you are welcome to sit on.

Toilets

An adapted WC is located adjacent to the lift on the ground floor and can be accessed via the accessible lift or by descending 11 steps. This toilet has a quiet electric hand-dryer for those with audio related sensory sensitivities. Signage for the restroom is easy to spot, and also clearly marked on the sensory maps and social stories.

Staff

Upon entering, I was kindly greeted by a new member of staff who explained the museum and how the self-guided tour was structured. All staff were friendly and knowledgeable with regards to accessibility in the museum.