Interesting museum with some wheelchair access
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: March 2024
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.
Overall Rating
Good
We visited this museum and gallery while we were visiting St Albans. They have tried to make as much as possible wheelchair accessible but there are some areas where this isn't possible, such as the cells in the basement.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The flooring throughout the museum is smooth, level and mostly flat. There is plenty of space, though the entrance area felt quite busy with many people standing around. There is a lift to all three floors. It's not very big but enough for a normal wheelchair, plus an assistance dog and a person standing. Downstairs, there is an art gallery, which is completely accessible. There are also the original cells where people would have been held before their court appearance. These are not accessible. They are down narrow corridors with steps. Upstairs, is a really interesting exhibition about Windrush and the Caribbean community in St Albans. It is all accessible but lack signs to tell you which way to go. We did the whole thing backwards. On the ground floor is a shop and cafe. These are both accessible but can get busy at peak times.
Parking & Transport
Poor
We actually arrived by car earlier in the day. It was a Sunday and we attended a service at the cathedral before visiting the museum. When we arrived in the city, traffic was really busy and we queued for ages to drive around to find a parking space. At 10:45 on a Sunday morning, the on-street disabled bays were all full. We eventually found a normal space in one of the bays with a parking meter. It is free for blue badge holders. For street parking, it is unlimited. In car parks, the first 3 hours are free.
Accessible Toilets
Good
There is an accessible toilet. It isn't that big but was okay for my needs. It had secure grab rails.
Staff
Good
We didn't talk to many staff. There was a nice lady at the entry to the Rama Begum art exhibition. She explained about the author and was very pleasant.
