Accessibility – National Slate Museum

We are proud to be the first museum to become a member of the National Access scheme Hynt.  Whether you’re an individual or an organisation you can access free tickets for carers and companions for some of our events and exhibitions. 

Hynt is an Arts Council of Wales initiative managed by Creu Cymru in partnership with Diverse Cymru; you can apply to be a member on the Hynt website.

Booking a ticket with a Hynt card

When booking your ticket with a Hynt card, we’ll ask you for your unique Hynt reference number. You can book your tickets with us in the following ways:

• In person at National Museum Cardiff – our friendly Museum Assistants behind the information desk will be happy to help you
• Or online – click this link to get started. If you have booked with us online using a valid Hynt barcode number, your Hynt account will be added to your Amgueddfa Cymru account for your future convenience. Please note it may take up to 24 hours for your Hynt membership to be added to your online account. 

Tickets are issued to the cardholder, who is required to present their photographic Hynt card at each exhibition or event that they attend. The amount of Hynt tickets available for online booking is restricted and determined by the number agreed upon during the application process. Please make sure to select the appropriate number of tickets for all members of your group.

To help plan your visit, have a look at our visual story. This includes photographs and information of what you can expect from your visit to the museum.

Museum entrance and exit

The main entrance and exit to the museum is from Padarn Country Park. The pathway is level and there are no steps. However, there are some original rails in the flooring which may cause difficulty. 

The entrance is normally via the Museum shop.  
The doors are not electronic and you may require assistance to open if alone.

During busy times access will be through the front gate.  
The flooring is level but the original rails in the ground may cause difficulty.

Accessible parking

The car park is owned and operated by Gwynedd Council and there is a fee of £5.50 per day. This can be paid in cash or via card or by PAYBYPHONE app (location code 804552).

There are accessible parking spaces in the centre of the parking area behind the craft shops. Parking is free for blue badge holders.

Quiet Times 

The Museum can sometimes be crowded and noisy. The quietest time to visit the Museum is usually between 10am–11am and after 3pm. 

In the winter our galleries close at 3.30pm and the museum closes at 4pm.

In the summer our galleries close at 4.30pm and the museum closes at 5pm.

Quiet areas 

The main Foundry room and Pattern Loft are some of the quietest areas of the museum.

*Please note that areas immediately outside the Foundry can be noisy.

Lighting and temperature 

Some of our areas have low light. 

The temperature varies as you move through the Museum and some spaces are quite cold. You may want to bring an extra layer of clothing to put on in these areas.

As there are also many outdoor spaces, please dress appropriately for the weather.

Uneven flooring 

The museum is located within an industrial site and so much of the flooring is uneven. Loose slate chippings cover most external areas and there are railway tracks through some areas. As the railway tracks run throughout the site this may cause difficulty if visitors leave the official pathways. 

Borrow a wheelchair 

A wheelchair is available to borrow free of charge for your visit - allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. This can be requested from the museum shop. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide staff assistance around the museum for wheelchair users. Wheelchairs may not be taken outside of the museum.

Mobility scooter 

Mobility scooters are welcome and permitted inside the museum.

Emergency evacuation 

It's unlikely that an alarm will sound during your visit. If one does, please don't worry – just follow any instructions given by members of staff, they will guide you to the nearest safe exit. Visual fire alarms with flashing lights are also in operation.

Lift and access to galleries 

There is currently only one lift on site which is used to access the waterwheel. It is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible. 

The only access to the Pattern Loft currently is via a steep stairway therefore wheelchair users are unable to access it.

The pathway narrows slightly in the Smithy making it impossible for a wheelchair to use the normal pathway. 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 may need staff assistance.

Due to a step and the narrow doorways of the historical houses, these are not accessible to wheelchair users. However, there are QR codes outside each of the houses which provide access to 3D films of the interiors for all our visitors.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible Toilets are available in the Ffowntan Café at the rear of the Museum. There is a pull-cord alarm. Please refer to the map or ask a member of staff. 

Baby changing facilities

Baby changing facilities are available in all our toilets.

We welcome breastfeeding in all locations.

Seating

Bench seating is located around the site – in the main courtyard and by the Quarrymen’s Houses to the rear of the Museum. There is also seating in the exhibition areas and in the Museum Foundry.  

You're welcome to use walking sticks or folding stools with seat attachments.

Please ask a member of staff if additional seating is required.

Enhanced Sounds

You may hear some unexpected sounds during your visit. These include a loud whistling noise from the Lake Railway as it passes by the Quarrymen’s Houses. There is also an instance of blasting during the introductory film.

Service dogs

The National Slate Museum is happy to welcome dogs to the Museum. They are allowed in most areas around the Museum but not to the film theatre, art exhibition, historic houses, slate splitting demonstration or the café. 

Trained assistance dogs are allowed into these areas.

Dogs must e always kept on short leads.

Water bowls are provided at the museum entrance and by the café.

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

We do not allow any other animals.

Hearing Loops

Induction loops are provided in the Cinema, Exhibition room (Padarn), Slate Splitting Area (Dinorwig), Shop and Café. 

Portable induction loops are also available on request.

Sensory backpacks

Sensory backpacks are available in our learning room if you are taking part in a facilitated session or can be collected from the welcome desk in the shop if on a general visit. The backpacks contain: 
Sound cancelling headphones  
Fidget toys  
Torch  
Magnifying glass 

Dementia Friendly Tours

We currently work with Dementia groups and have regular activities for those affected by dementia. For more information contact slate@museumwales.ac.uk.