Access Guide

About the Museum Visit the award-winning Black Country Living Museum and you’ll be joining in with 300 years of history like no other. One of the most extraordinary open-air museums in the UK, the Museum immerses visitors into the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the past. Explore 26 acres of original period shops and houses and meet the Museum’s costumed characters along the way - they’ll explain what it was like to live and work in one of the world’s most heavily industrialised landscapes.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.bclm.com or call 0121 520 8054.

Larger print copies of this guide are available on request from the Admissions Desk.

Making the most of your visit Essential Carers – the Museum offers a free day time admissions price for essential carers, discounted admission is available for special events.

Car parking – there are a number of designated parking bays for blue badge holders located close to the Museum entrance. Whilst these cannot usually be reserved parking is free upon production of blue badge wallet at the

admissions desk.

Manual Wheelchairs – the Museum has a number of manual wheelchairs ( rated 18 stone / 115 kilos weight ) which can be used on the day subject to availability or which can be booked in advance via 0121 520 8054 or email bookings@bclm.com. There is no charge for the use of the wheelchairs.

Hearing Loops are installed in Admissions, Gift Shop, Rolfe Street café and Workers Institute café.

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site with water bowls available at the Workers Institute café and Bottle and Glass Inn.

First Aid – trained first aid staff are available every day. If assistance is needed please contact any member of staff or the Duty Manager on 07788 666161.

Accessible Toilets There are accessible toilets in the following locations, all marked on the site map, available from admissions.

• To the right rear of Rolfe Street café counter • At the end of the Entrance Gallery at Admissions • Next to the Indoor Seating / Picnic area on the Boat Dock • In the courtyard at the Workers Institute. • The rear of the Bottle and Glass Inn – this toilet requires access with a

RADAR key available on request in the pub.

Changing Places visitors are able to use the Dudley Archives & Local History Centre Changing Places facility which is situated next door to the Museum. The facility is open 10am-4pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday, 9.30 -5pm Tuesdays and 10am-4.30pm on Saturday and is closed on Sunday. Excludes public holidays. Please call 01384 812771 for details. All calls made on a Monday will not be answered but the building will be open.

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The Museum Access is available to the majority of buildings although, as they are authentic historic exhibits, many require the use of temporary, portable ramps. A map of the Museum is available at reception which will help you to navigate the site.

All of our staff will be pleased to help you to get the most from your visit so please ask if you have any special requirements or need additional support.

The Museum Duty Manager is available to be contacted at any time during your visit on 07788 666161.

Car Park – there are dropped kerbs from the car park to access the Museum Entrance Building.

Entrance Building – there is level access into the Museum Entrance Building. Visitors can access the admissions desk, gift shop and Rolfe Street café and toilets via a wide ramp (shown below). The Entrance Gallery, Introductory Video, Exhibition Hall and further toilets are easily accessible to the left of the Reception via a wide walkway.

Automotive Collection located in Bradburn and Wedge – the collection is accessible from the pathway with dropped kerbs to cross the roadway. There are electronic doors to enter the building which can be operated by a push button.

Cast Iron House – there is a dropped kerb from the road to the path outside the house. A portable ramp is available to accessible the building at the rear.

The Drift Mine – each guided mine tour can accommodate a limited number of visitors, there are uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and some very low ceilings, meaning it is unsuitable for those with mobility issues. Children under the age of 5 years, pushchairs and wheelchairs are not allowed into the mine for safety reasons.

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An audio visual screen in the mine waiting room illustrates the history of mining in the Black Country and is accessible from the pathway.

Racecourse Colliery – the colliery is uneven in surface and has steep gradients, making it difficult to traverse for those with mobility issues or in a wheelchair. The winding engine is only accessible by a set of steps.

Newcomen Engine – the main building is accessible using a portable ramp that can be erected by staff stationed at the building or on request by the Duty Manager. The lower areas are only accessible via steep staircases.

Bridge – care should be taken when crossing the bridge due to the presence of the tram tracks.

Toll House – there is a narrow pavement outside this house with two steep steps to the entrance. A portable access ramp is available, which staff in the building will assist with.

Jerushah and Pitt’s Cottage – there are uneven pathways to access the gardens and steps to access the building, but a ramp is available, which staff or volunteers can assist with.

Lench’s Oliver shop – the yard is accessible from the pathway, but it should be noted the surface is uneven and can be difficult to manoeuvre wheelchairs or mobility scooters on.

Folkes’ Park is wheelchair accessible with light gravel paths although some are sloping. There are benches and picnic benches available.

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The Fairground –sited on a hard core surface which may be difficult for wheelchairs in poor weather conditions. Although traditional fair rides are not wheelchair accessible there is plenty of space between rides and many of the stalls are at an accessible height.

The Conway Garage - the building and yard are accessible to all visitors.

The Albion Depot – this building can be accessed via the adjacent pathway, but car should be taken to navigate the tram tracks and sets.

St James’ School – There is a ramp into the main entrance with level access within the building itself.

Old Birmingham Road – there is level access from the pavement with a dropped kerb into Morralls Gentlemen’s Outfitters, Hobbs Fish and Chip Shop and Griptons Radio Shop. Harthills Motorcycle Shop, Preedy Tobacconists and Humphrey Brothers Builders Merchants can be accessed using portable ramps at the front and rear of the buildings.

The Builder’s Yard & Office – the yard can be accessed via the pathway, but the surface is uneven in nature.

Workers’ Institute – accessed via a ramp on the left hand side of the building which also has an adapted toilet in the courtyard. Access to the upper floor is only by staircase.

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The Limekilns – the top of the limekilns can be accessed via the pathway next to the Workers Institute. The base can be accessed via a ramp on the left hand side of the canal street bridge, but caution should be taken due to the gradient and traditional nature of the surfacing.

The Canal Arm and Basin – this can be accessed via the same route as the limekilns or via station road. The surface is uneven with loose gravel which can make use of a wheelchair or mobility scooter difficult.

Gregory’s General Store – The building has steps to access, a ramp is available, which the staff will put in place on request. The kitchen at the rear of the shop is only accessible via a set of steps.

Anchor Maker’s House – The building has steps to access, a ramp is available, which the staff will put in place on request.

Back Yard Chain shop – This is accessible via a pathway, but the surface can be uneven especially in wet weather.

Emile Doo’s Chemist - The building has steps to access, a ramp is available, which the staff will put in place on request. The garden to the rear can be accessed via the adjacent alleyway, but the surface can be uneven especially in wet weather.

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Providence Chapel - has three steps at the entrance and wheelchair access is currently not possible.

Sweet Shop and Bakers Shop – there is ramped access to the front of the shops, but then steep steps to access. There are ramps available, which the staff will erect on request.

Pawnbroker’s Shop – this is accessible from the pathway.

Village Fried Fish Shop – there is a small step, but ramps are available and staff can use the window to take orders from visitors to pass out for collection.

The Hardware, Greengrocer’s and Ironmonger’s shops - there are steps to these shops, but ramps are available.

Sidebotham’s Steel Trap Works – the path to the works is uneven and the floor is made of sets and the doorways narrow, which can be uneven making access for anyone with mobility issues or those in a wheelchair or mobility scooter difficult.

Carter’s Yard – the yard is accessible, but the tack room has a step to access and no ramp. This is locked when no staff are on site and they are happy to bring items out for people to see and handle. It should be remembered that this is a working yard and access may be limited to prevent any conflict between visitors and the needs of the horses.

Bottle and Glass Inn - there are two steps at the entrance which is accessed using a portable ramp kept nearby. Staff assistance will be needed. In addition to facilities inside the pub there is an outdoor seated area and accessible toilet accessed with a radar key.

Station Road Cottages – the road is mainly sets, which can be difficult to navigate, but pathways are available and all buildings on the Bottle and Glass side can be accessed with the use of a ramp.

The Coal Yard – this is accessible from the pathway.

Limelight Cinema - located in Station Road and can be accessed via the double doors in the yard. The internal flooring is smooth concrete and spaces for wheelchair users are available at the front of the cinema.

The Back to Backs - also located in Station Road can only be entered via two steps with very narrow openings. A portable ramp is available to provide access to the front doors but access inside the buildings is very limited for wheelchair users.

Nail Shop – demonstrations can be viewed through the windows while on the pathway.

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Brass Foundry – this is located behind the back to backs and is only accessible via steep steps, it can be accessed via the boat dock and the ramp from the bakery requested to enable access.

The Bakery – a portable ramp is available to access the building from the boat dock.

Chain making shop, blacksmith’s shop, anchor forge and rolling mill – these are all visible from the boat dock, which can be accessed via station road.

Ironworker’s office – this building is not manned so can be viewed through the window and doorway.

Boat Dock and collection – easiest access is via station road, although the surface is uneven. Access over the lifting bridge should be treated with care due to uneven surfaces and terrain.

Village – the main street has a tarmac surface but the adjoining Station Road is mainly cobbled with a short tarred strip where children are invited to play with traditional toys and street games. The Nail Shop is located here.

Food and Drink Rolfe Street café - there is level access into this area from the main entrance serving a selection of drinks and light snacks.

Workers’ Institute café – access is via a portable ramp to the left hand side of the building through the courtyard. The café offers a wide range of food, snacks, hot and cold meals.

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Hobbs Fish and Chip Shop – located on the Old Birmingham Road and accessed from the pavement with a dropped kerb nearby. There are limited facilities to eat inside the shop.

Bottle and Glass Inn - there are two steps at the entrance which is accessed using a portable ramp kept nearby. Staff assistance will be needed. In addition to facilities inside the pub there is an outdoor seated area and accessible toilet accessed with a radar key.

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Transport Doris is the Museum’s accessibility vehicle, she has a tail lift to enable visitors in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues easy access. Doris is able to carry manual wheelchairs and pushchairs, but not motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Doris is named after the mother of one of the original donors of the vehicle.

At any time you can call for Doris the Museum’s accessibility vehicle either by asking any of the transport drivers at a designated stop or by calling the Duty Manager on 07788 666161.

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The Museum has a variety of heritage transport available for visitors, which varies each day. All of the heritage transport are original vehicles and hence are not accessible to wheelchair uses and maybe difficult to board for anyone with mobility issues.

The heritage transport offer includes:

• Tramway, which runs from the transport depot at the top of the site next to Bradburn and Wedge to the Albion depot near the school. On arrival you can access this by turning left out of the entrance building.

• Buses and trolley buses, which again run from the transport depot passed the Workers Institute along Old Birmingham Road to the Albion Depot and then past to the Fairground and back to the transport depot.

Dudley Canal Trust and Canal Trips Access is via the tow path (gradient 1 in 8) between Sidebotham’s Trap Shop and Carters Yard, with a wide tarred middle section suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The Canal Trust ticket office and other facilities is accessible on the other side of the canal using a flat swing bridge.

There is an additional charge for a canal trip with Dudley Canal Trust. A narrow boat is fitted with a lift for wheelchair access with the capacity to take two wheelchairs. It is recommended to book in advance by contacting Dudley Canal Trust on 0121 557 6265 or by calling at their ticket office early during your visit to the Museum.

Additional information Sheets You can download individual building, workshop and exhibit information sheets from the Museum website.

If you have any comments or suggestions for improvements please do contact us via Email: feedback@bclm.com or Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4SQ.

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