Accessibility – National Wool 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 museum has two entrances. The main entrance is located next to the waterwheel. The other entrance is next to the main car park at the rear of the building. Both entrances are step-free.

Accessible parking

There are 3 designated disabled parking bays located in the car park, before crossing the bridge. All visitor parking is free.

Quiet Times 

The Museum can sometimes be noisy. especially when the historic machinery are operating. The quietest time to visit the Museum is usually from 3pm. All of our galleries close at 4.45pm and the museum closes at 5pm.

Quiet areas 

There is a quiet sitting area upstairs near the Village mural and a comfortable seating area next to the second hand books in the café. 

Lift and access to galleries

There is a lift to the first floor in the main building. It is located in the Long Yard. A stair lift is available in the Weaving Shed to look down into the historic workspace. Most lifts in the museum are wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible and have audio announcements. To view all the locations of the lift please view our Museum map. There are signs indicating the location and operating instructions of all lifts. Museum staff are nearby to help.

Lighting and temperature 

The museum uses light and sound to tell stories. Each gallery you walk into will have different types and colours of light. The Textile Gallery has low lighting to protect the historic textiles which are on display. 

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

Uneven flooring 

Please be aware that this is a historic building and there is uneven flooring in some areas; please take care in these areas.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are located off the main reception building and in the Resource and Collections Centre.

Baby changing facilities

Baby changing facilities are provided in the ladies and gents toilet in the museum and in the accessible toilet in the Resource and Collections Centre.

Borrow a wheelchair 

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. 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 – red lights will flash to alert you to the alarm. Please follow any instructions given by members of staff, they will guide you to the nearest safe exit.

Seating

There are some seats in some of the galleries, public spaces, café and in the grounds and Dye Garden. 

You're welcome to use walking sticks or folding stools with seat attachments, provided they have rubber stoppers.

Enhanced Sounds

There are screens which play videos in some of the galleries with sounds of industry, people talking and more in others. Look out for the eye and nose symbols in the visual story.

Service dogs

We understand that some of our visitors will require the support of a service dog and we are happy to admit appropriately trained service dogs. Service dogs should be supervised and kept under your control throughout your visit, ideally remaining on a lead and wearing the appropriate tabard or harness. Please ask a member of staff to direct you to the nearest toilet/toileting area. Drinking water is available on request from the café.

Hearing Loops

Induction loops are provided at the information desk, shop, and café counters. All induction loops operate on the 'T' setting. Switch your hearing aid to activate. 

Sensory backpacks

A limited number of sensory backpacks are available to borrow for free from the Welcome Desk. These are designed as a fun way to help visitors explore the Museum. The backpacks contain: 
Sound cancelling headphones  
Fidget toys  
Torch  
Magnifying glass  
Sensory Map