Accessibility
Beamish is a large open air museum with many historic buildings, some of which are not always completely accessible to visitors.
Accessibility Toolbar
We have the Recite Me web accessibility and language toolbar across our website to make it accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible.
You can open the Recite Me language and accessibility toolbar by clicking on the button called ‘accessibility me’, at the bottom of every page, in the footer.
Carers
If a disabled visitor requires another person, as their companion or carer to enable them to access the museum, then this person is admitted free of charge.
If a parent is visiting the museum with a disabled child under 5 then the parent and child under 5 do not have to pay admission. If there are several adults accompanying the disabled child under 5, then only one adult can be admitted for free. All other adults and children need to pay full admission or show their annual pass.
Uneven and Slippery Surfaces
To create an authentic feel, there are a variety of ground surfaces, some of which are uneven by nature.
There are steep slopes in places, and some buildings and exhibits have stepped access.
Good to know
Easy Access Bus
The museum has two easy access buses with tail lifts. These buses can securely carry wheelchairs. Please note that these buses are not able to securely anchor and transport motorised scooters. A weight restriction of 250kg also applies to the use of the lift on J2007, a weight restriction of 400kg applies to the tail lift on Crosville No.716. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Wheelchair Hire
Visitors can hire wheelchairs for a refundable £10 deposit. Subject to availability.
Motorised Scooter Hire
Visitors can hire motorised scooters for a £12 charge and a refundable £25 deposit. Subject to availability.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum.
Accessible Parking
Free accessible parking is at the lowest level of our car park to the left of the Entrance Building.
Dementia Friends
Many members of our staff and volunteers are Dementia Friends, look out for people wearing their knitted or crocheted versions of the “forget me not” badges.
Lighting
In order to accurately represent life in the past, some exhibits in the museum are dimly lit or use natural lighting. Visitors with visual impairments may have difficulty in these areas.
Photo Packs
Within historic areas we have a number of files of photographs and information which can be viewed by visitors unable to access an exhibit.
Sensory Packs
We have sensory bags available to use during your visit, guided by our Access Panel and designed to support visitors with sensory needs. The bags can be collected from our Entrance gift shop and requires a £10 refundable deposit.
1950s Coronation Park
Coronation Park includes an accessible swing seat and a wheelchair friendly roundabout.
Transport
Period buses and trams operate around the site every 20 minutes (approx.). The steps onto the trams and buses are very steep. There are stops near every area. Our historic vehicles can store folded wheelchairs and folded pushchairs although space is limited.
The museum has two assistance buses with tail lifts. These buses can securely carry wheelchairs. Please note that these nuses are not able to securely anchor and transport motorised scooters. A weight restriction of 250kg also applies to the use of the lift on J2007, a weight restriction of 400kg applies to the tail lift on Crosville No.716. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Wheelchair Accessible Bus
At a glance
Max Card holders are entitled to 25 per cent discount on individual Beamish Unlimited Passes, maximum of two adults and two children (this is not available on passes bought online and not available on family passes).
Please note, the Max Card discount can only be applied on presentation of a valid Max Card.
There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in the following areas:
- Entrance Building – Accessible toilets with Invacare Reliant 350 Stand Assist*, baby and adult changing facilities also available.
- 1900s Pit Village – Toilets and accessible toilets at the band hall.
- 1900s Colliery Yard – Gender neutral toilets, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in the lamp cabin.
- 1940s Farm – Toilets and accessible toilets.
- 1900s Town – Toilets in the Masonic Hall. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in tram shelter. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in the Tea Rooms.
- Fairground – Gender neutral toilets, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities.
- Pockerley Old Hall – Toilets and accessible toilets.
- 1820s Pockerley Waggonway – Toilets and accessible toilets.
- Regional Resource Centre – Toilets and accessible toilets.
- 1950s Welfare Hall – Changing Places Facilities, accessible toilets, accessible baby change and feeding facilities.
- 1950s Town – Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available in John’s Café. An accessible toilet is available at Spain’s Field Farm.
* The Invacare Reliant 350 Stand Assist is a compact and manoeuvrable mobile lifter that provides safe and comfortable assisted transfers for those with limited mobility or rehabilitation needs. The Invacare Reliant 350 can be used to transfer a client that cannot transfer unaided, but has some level of weight bearing ability, from one seated position to another.
Our 1950s welfare hall features Changing Places accessible facilities. These include:
- A wash and dry toilet.
- Overhead room coverage hoist system.
- Height-adjustable changing bench with a shower.
- Height-adjustable basin.
- Privacy screen.
- Non-slip flooring.
For Health and Safety reasons we do not provide slings. Customers are asked to bring their own which should be compatible with the loop system.
We have sensory bags available to use during your visit, guided by our Access Panel and designed to support visitors with sensory needs. The bags include; headphones, sensory book, lavender bag, football rattle, Beamish top trumps and Jacobs ladder.
The bags can be collected from our Entrance gift shop and requires a £10 refundable deposit.
A quiet space is available in our 1950s welfare hall for any visitor who needs to use it. The room is sensory-friendly and is equipped with a washbasin, chair, sensory-friendly lights and toys and books.
Access to the quiet space is on a first come, first served basis. Please speak to a member of staff in the 1950s welfare hall for access to the room.
Max Card holders are entitled to 25 per cent discount on individual Beamish Unlimited Passes, maximum of two adults and two children (this is not available on passes bought online and not available on family passes). Please note, the Max Card discount can only be applied on presentation of a valid Max Card.
If a disabled visitor requires another person, as their companion or carer to enable them to access the museum, then this person is admitted free of charge.
If a parent is visiting the museum with a disabled child under 5 then the parent and child under 5 do not have to pay admission. If there are several adults accompanying the disabled child under 5, then only one adult can be admitted for free. All other adults and children need to pay full admission or show their annual pass.
There is free parking at the Main Entrance Car Park. Our main car park consist of 7 levels, divided by a central access road used for both entry and exit from the car park.
The main car park also includes 2 levels of accessible parking closer to the admissions building, which are reserved for those with additional access requirements at the time of their visit, please speak to our parking attendant when you arrive.
There is also a larger dedicated level for coach and motorhome parking.
The terrain in all bays is dolomite gravel. We ask all visitors to please park close to other vehicles when arriving to allow us to maximise parking space.
At busier times we may make use of our overflow car park, you will be directed by a member of our parking team should this be required.
Find your way around our museum.
Mobility Scooter MapUse this map to see areas of uneven surface and areas we recommend not using a mobility scooter.
