Accessibility for groups - National Slate Museums

Baby changing facilities

There are baby changing facilities in both the men's and women's toilets, located in the cafe building. Please ask if you need assistance with the doors.

Visitors with limited mobility, wheelchair and pushchair users

There are designated disabled parking bays in Padarn Country Park. This is a pay and display car park, please display your blue badge. Buses can park for free.

The routes from the car park to the Museum are flat, paved routes that all visitors can use.

Entrance to the Museum for wheelchair and pushchair users is via the shop.

A wheelchair is available on request in the shop. The chair is allocated on a first come, first served basis and cannot be pre-booked, although any advanced requests will be considered.

Seating is available at various locations throughout the Museum. Please ask any member of staff if you require seating at any other location.

Both the shop and the cafe are accessible to wheelchair users.

There are disabled toilets in the cafe building.

There is wheelchair access, suitable for unaccompanied wheelchair users, to most parts of the Museum, along slate paving and shingle paths. This includes the waterwheel to the rear of the Museum, which can be accessed by lift.

However, due to the historic nature of the Museum buildings some areas might need extra assistance:

Railway tracks run throughout the site and can cause difficulty if visitors leave the official pathways. Please ask for assistance.

Unfortunately the only access to the Pattern Loft is via a steep stairway, therefore wheelchair users cannot access it.

The pathway narrows slightly in the Smithy, making it inaccessible for wheelchair users. Please ask a member of staff to assist with opening the barriers to allow access.

There is a slight gradient to reach the houses, and unaccompanied wheelchair users might need assistance. The nature and historical accuracy of these houses makes access for most wheelchairs difficult. Please contact a member of staff if you have any problems.

Blind and partially sighted visitors

One of the great joys of visiting an industrial site such as the National Slate Museum is the experience of the noises and smells of the exhibits and demonstrations. Few objects are in glass cases. Museum Assistants and craftspeople are happy to give you the opportunity to touch and handle exhibits and give a full explanation of their role.

Handling sessions with museum artefacts are available by arrangement with the Learning Manager.

You can borrow a large print guidebook for free. Please ask at the entrance.

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing visitors

There are video presentations throughout the Museum.

Induction loops are available and headsets can be worn in the film theatre.

Additional learning needs

If you prefer to visit when we’re less crowded, there are usually fewer people in the Museum before 11am each day.

Dogs

The National Slate Museum is happy to welcome trained assistance dogs, but we do not allow any other animals into the film theatre, galleries, houses, slate splitting demonstration or cafe.

Dogs are allowed in all other areas, but must be kept on short leads at all times.

There are water bowls at the entrance and by the cafe.

‘Pooper-scoopers’ are available on entering and we appreciate your co-operation in keeping the Museum clean and safe.