4.5
Interesting Interactive Museum
The Derwent Pencil Museum is an accessible, interactive museum which is much more interesting than it sounds! On arrival we were asked if we would like to have a quiz sheet to take round, and I'm glad we said yes, as without it our experience would not have been as interesting and enjoyable.
Entrance into the main museum hallway is via a themed cave tunnel which is narrow and twisty. The staff informed me beforehand that this section would be tight for my wheelchair and that I could enter via the exit doors instead if I liked. I decided to go through the cave. I have a Quickie Helium self-propelled wheelchair and it was a tight squeeze but I made it though - just. It should be noted that there are life sized models of miners in this area, and one of them has his foot sticking out which did cause a bit of an obstruction for my chair and would not be ideal for anyone with a visual impairment as it is also very dark. However this section is very short and can be avoided completely by entering through the exit.
The museum itself is well lit, contains lots of information boards, and has at least three areas showing different video screens to watch. There are plenty of seats available if required. Once inside the museum hall, there is ample access for even the largest of power chairs, and the far end of the hall has a room with tables and chairs where you can have a go at drawing or watch an information video.
The quiz sheet required searching for the answers contained in the information provided around the museum, and I learnt a lot of interesting facts along the way.
The staff were very friendly and switched on in terms of disability awareness and good customer service.
I went to the museum with my carer who was not charged admissions.
There is also a cafe and shop at the museum. The cafe is called the Artisan Cafe, but it reminded me of a dinner hall in a children's nursery school, with basic chairs in bright primary colours! I had a tea and scone at the cafe, but wasn't overly impressed with as the scone was dry and hard, and jam was an extra 50p on top!
The Derwent Pencil Museum is an accessible, interactive museum which is much more interesting than it sounds! On arrival we were asked if we would like to have a quiz sheet to take round, and I'm glad we said yes, as without it our experience would not have been as interesting and enjoyable.
Entrance into the main museum hallway is via a themed cave tunnel which is narrow and twisty. The staff informed me beforehand that this section would be tight for my wheelchair and that I could enter via the exit doors instead if I liked. I decided to go through the cave. I have a Quickie Helium self-propelled wheelchair and it was a tight squeeze but I made it though - just. It should be noted that there are life sized models of miners in this area, and one of them has his foot sticking out which did cause a bit of an obstruction for my chair and would not be ideal for anyone with a visual impairment as it is also very dark. However this section is very short and can be avoided completely by entering through the exit.
The museum itself is well lit, contains lots of information boards, and has at least three areas showing different video screens to watch. There are plenty of seats available if required. Once inside the museum hall, there is ample access for even the largest of power chairs, and the far end of the hall has a room with tables and chairs where you can have a go at drawing or watch an information video.
The quiz sheet required searching for the answers contained in the information provided around the museum, and I learnt a lot of interesting facts along the way.
The staff were very friendly and switched on in terms of disability awareness and good customer service.
I went to the museum with my carer who was not charged admissions.
There is also a cafe and shop at the museum. The cafe is called the Artisan Cafe, but it reminded me of a dinner hall in a children's nursery school, with basic chairs in bright primary colours! I had a tea and scone at the cafe, but wasn't overly impressed with as the scone was dry and hard, and jam was an extra 50p on top!
For additional detailed accessibility information, please contact: kes_museum@acco.com
