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Accessibility guide

Built in 2002, this modern building has been designed with access in mind. There are five levels in the Museum, all of which are accessible by lift or ramp. All staff have been provided with deaf and disability and autism awareness training. You should allow at least 1.5 – 3 hours for your visit.

Visiting during Coronavirus

Due to Coronavirus we have had to make a number of changes to the Museum to help keep everyone in our building safe. Ahead of visiting us it is important to know how these changes may impact your visit.

One-way route

A new one-way route has been implemented to help visitors observe social distancing. It is not mandatory to follow the route but it has been designed to enable visitors to see all areas of the Museum. If you follow the route you will encounter stairs. All floors of the Museum are accessible using lifts and ramps – we have created a handout to help those who can’t access the building by using the stairs to navigate their way round. The handout is available from the admissions desk.

Sensory needs

For films with sound we normally provide headphones for visitors to use. This is now not possible and we have removed the headphones for the time being. It may mean that noise and music will be played when selected on the touch screens.

Face coverings

Wearing a facemask is now a personal choice.

Facilities at National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Toilets

Accessible toilets are located on the first and second floors and there are larger facilities available if required. An ADi Room Mate is installed in the accessible toilet near to the Waterside Cafe – ADi is an audio device for our blind and visually impaired visitors.

Baby changing facilities

The baby changing facilities are found in the accessible toilets on the first and second floors.

Changing Places

Currently National Maritime Museum Cornwall does not have a Changing Places. We understand the importance of facilities such as these being available, and whilst we seek the necessary funding to build a Changing Places, we instead hire the services of Mobiloo.

Mobiloo’s are mobile accessible toilets with an adult-sized changing bench and hoist.

We will have Mobiloo facilities on site at National Maritime Museum Cornwall as follows:

Find out more about Mobiloo at NMMC.

Wheelchairs

The Museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users. There is:

level access to the entrance
lift and ramp access available to all floors
First floor wheelchair accessible toilets

A small number of self-propelled wheelchairs are available for loan free of charge.

Blind and visually impaired visitors

Guide dogs

We welcome trained assistance dogs. A water bowl is available at the main entrance/exit for them.

Large print and braille guides

Large print and Braille guides are available free of charge from the admission desk.

Deaf and hearing impaired visitors

British Sign Language Tablet Tour

The British Sign Language (BSL) tablet tour is designed to help deaf BSL users gain a better understanding of the unique story of the museum and get more from their visit. The tablet is available from the admissions desk.

Subtitles

Subtitles are provided on all audio visual exhibits and films with speech in them.

Hearing loops

There are various hearing loops throughout the building. These can be identified by the hearing loop symbol.

Sensory needs

Access guide Social Story Sensory Map

Sensory bags

The sensory bags and ear defenders are available to anyone who may need them throughout the year and can be found at the admissions desk.

Relaxed Sessions

On certain days throughout the year the Museum offers Relaxed Sessions where noise is reduced, quiet spaces are allocated and sensory bags and ear defenders are available.

Find out more about National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s Relaxed Sessions.

Parking

The nearest public car park is one hundred metres away, across the square (a level, but cobbled surface). The car park has a number of designated accessible parking spaces.