Booking Information for National Wool Museum

Making a booking

All schools and groups must book two weeks in advance.

Phone: 0300 111 2 333

School bookings can only be made via the National Wool Museum’s booking number Once a booking has been made, you will be sent a written confirmation.

Opening Times

Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm.

Please have the following information when booking:

• Name of your school/organisation
• Address
• Postcode
• Phone number
• Contact email address
• Name of the teacher/group leader
• Number of students
• Age Range
• Do any of your pupils have additional needs that we need to be aware of?
• Number of Staff
• Number of Pupils with additional needs

Health and Safety

All groups of sixteen years or under must be supervised at all times.

Adult/child ratios:

• Ages 5 – 8yrs – 1 adult : 6 children
• Ages 8 – 11yrs – 1 adult : 10/15 children
• 11yrs + – 1 adult : 15/20 children

The above ratios are suggested by the DFES. Group leaders should assess the risks and consider an appropriate safe supervision level for their group.

Visiting

Due to building work there is no parking for buses or coach on site. Please alight at the main entrance gates and walk down the hill to the whaterwheel entrance.

If your party is going to be late arriving please call the Museum in advance.

Facilities for visitors with Additional Needs

The National Wool Museum makes every effort to accommodate the requirements of visitors with additional needs. Please contact us in advance to clarify what provision can be made.

Physical Mobility

• There are 3 designated disabled parking bays located in the carpark, before crossing the bridge.
• From the car park there are flat paved routes into the museum which can easily be used by all visitors. However, please note that there is a downward slope from the road to the museum entrance and that there is a grassed expanse between the overflow carpark and the entrance.
• Two wheelchairs are available on request in the shop. The chairs are 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.
• There is a lift to the first floor in the main building.

Hearing Impaired

• The galleries and exhibits have a good standard of written material to support the collections.
• Visual interpretation of the main exhibition theme is clearly displayed.

Visually Impaired

• A number of museum displays have audio interpretation and there is use of ambient sound in some galleries.
• Some of the galleries have low light levels for conservation reasons, but walkways and text panels are clearly illuminated.

Additional Needs

• Groups and individuals are welcome and activities are available if pre-booked.

Facilities

• The museum's café and shop are accessible to wheelchair users.
• Toilet facilities for the disabled are located off the main reception building and in the Resource and Collections Centre.
• Baby changing facilities are provided in the male and female toilet in the Museum and in the disabled toilet in the Education block.

Dogs

• Aid dogs are welcomed into all areas of the site.
• Water bowls are available on request from the café.
• All dogs must leave the premises to relieve themselves. Staff will advise on request.

Suitable clothing

Most of the visit will be indoors. However if you wish to follow the Village Trail please bring appropriate clothing for all types of weather.

On arrival

Staff will be present at the main entrance to the Museum to welcome you. They will confirm the details of your visit and answer any questions that you may have. We will need to know the exact number of visitors in your group.

Food and drink

Please notify us upon booking if you would like to bring lunch with you to eat at a designated indoor area within the Museum. In fine weather lunch may be eaten in the garden. Please take all rubbish with you. Please note that no eating or drinking is allowed in the Museum.

Toilets

There is a unisex disabled access toilet in the Museum and in Search Engine, the Museum's education block. There are male and female toilets in the Museum and in the Education block that are suitable for children. There are baby changing facilities in the male and female toilets in the Museum and in the disabled toilet in the Education block.

Map

A map can be accessed from the reception desk at the Museum.

Space for Coats and Bags

Please notify staff upon booking if you would like a space to store coats and bags.

Photography

Visitors are permitted to take photographs for personal use throughout the course of the visit. We ask all visitors who take photographs to sign a form at the admission desk.

Mobile phones

As a courtesy to other visitors, please do not use your mobile phone when in the Galleries.

Museum Shop

The shop sells a wide range of products such as small toys and books. Please help with supervision by ensuring that no more than 6 children

Museum guidelines

We ask that all children and young people under the age of 16 be supervised at all times.

Smoking is not allowed in any of the buildings.

Preview Visits

These are available for teachers or group leaders wishing to familiarise themselves with the Museum. Please telephone to make arrangements before-hand if you wish to speak to a member of the Learning team on the day of your preview visit.

First Aid and Medical Needs

If First Aid attention is needed please contact one of the Museum Assistants or facilitators, who will then summon a trained member of staff.

Group leaders should contact the Education team if any member of the group has any specific medical needs.

Fire

An alarm will sound in the event of a fire. On hearing the alarm your group should evacuate the building by following the signs to the nearest fire exit. You will receive instructions from members of staff.

Lost Children

Please advise children separated from their group to inform a member of staff if they are lost.

Child protection policy

The Museum’s child protection policy is available here .