Access Statement For Ashby Museum


A small, volunteer-run museum with full Accreditation Status by Arts Council England

Accessibility Overview

  • Ashby Museum is located in North Street, Ashby de la Zouch
  • We are a member of the VAQAS (Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service) scheme and were last assessed in 2023
  • The Museum has a gentle ramp access to the main entrance and the Reception area, both Exhibition Galleries and the toilets are on the same level.
  • The Museum encourages sensory experiences, with displays incorporating sounds and hands on elements.
  • We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require assistance, please telephone 01530 587530 or email enquiries@ashbymuseum.org.uk
A bus stop with a map on the side of the road

Pre-Arrival

  • The nearest train stations are Burton on Trent (9.7 miles), Derby (14.3 miles) and Leicester (18.9 miles). There are taxi ranks at the stations.
  • Buses travel to and from Ashby include Route 9 (Burton and East Midlands Airport) and Routes 29 and 29A (Leicester). All buses stop in Market Street, a few minutes’ walk from the Museum. 
  • The streets and pavements are relatively level and in good condition. There is a pedestrian crossing in North Street.
A parking lot with cars parked in it and a building in the background

Two Blue Badge spaces can be seen to the right

Arrival and Car Parking

  • There are large Pay & Display car parks to the side and rear of the Museum
  • Blue Badge holders and Motorcycles can park for free in all the council owned car parks. All other regulations must be adhered to. 
  • Four parking spaces are now reserved for electric vehicles. Depending on the make and type of vehicle, this can provide 30 miles of charge.  Pay & Display charges still apply when using these bays. Further details about the charging points can be found at www.pod-point.com 
  • You can now pay for your parking in our car parks by using the PayByPhone app or by calling their phone line. Instructions can be found on the pay and display machines.
  • Visitors can also be dropped off on North Street itself, outside the front entrance to the Museum


A handicapped parking spot in front of a building

Nature's Symphony

A further two Blue Badge spaces are near the entrance

Button
A welcome to ashby de la zouch sign with a map

Faces of Humanity

There is a useful map of the town in the car park. You can purchase copies of the map there.

Button
A blue building with a sign that says ashby museum

Sands of Time

The gentle access ramp has a handrail to the right side. Glass entrance doors open inwards.

Button

Main Entrance and Ticketing Area

  • The main entrance leads directly onto the Reception area.
  • This area is level throughout.
  • Some seating is available in the Reception area.
  • The floor surface is carpeted.
  • The area is well lit via recessed ceiling lights and spots.
  • There is a low counter desk area suitable for wheelchair users.
  • A hearing loop is installed.
  • There is an admission charge. Currently it is £2 for adults, and £1.50 for Senior Citizens, and £1 for children under 16. There is no reduction for groups.
  • Assistance dogs are welcome and water can be provided.
  • Payments can be made by cash or with our contactless card reader.
Two pictures of a hallway and a bathroom with a toilet

Toilets

  • These are free for visitors to the Museum
  • The toilets are located in the Reception area, with level access
  • There is a unisex accessible WC located next to the ladies and gents’ toilets
  • There is a red pull cord in the accessible WC
  • The floor surface is non-slip
  • The layout of the toilets meets current building regulations
A man is looking at books in a bookstore.

Shop

  • The shop is immediately inside the main entrance area on level access
  • There is open access to the shelving units
  • Shop purchases can be made via the Reception counter, which has a low counter area
  • The shop has a mixture of wooden shelving  with Perspex holding units
  • There is no background music in the area
  • Staff are happy to give assistance if required
  • Both contactless card and cash payments are accepted
A model of the white house in a glass case
A room with a red carpet and wooden cabinets with pictures on them

Exhibitions & Displays

  • Interpretation is largely via text panels. 
  • The main Zouche and Hastings Gallery has a combination of hands-on low tech as well as audio interactives.
  • Interpretation boards are in good-sized print. Displays have been designed to be highly visual using a good balance of text and imagery.
  • A Push-button system enables visitors to listen to stories relating to the particular exhibit.
  • All the entrances allow easy wheelchair access and both galleries leave ample space for wheelchairs to view all the displays.
  • The majority of displays are lit with overhead LED spotlights.
  • Both exhibition areas are carpeted with short pile carpets.
  • Seating is available in both galleries.
  • Fire exits are clearly marked around the Museum.
  • There are CCTV cameras in both Exhibition Rooms, the Reception area, and the Ferrers Community Room. 
  • The Museum has Discovery Pens, which are available for all visitors, young or old. The pens provide audio commentary for most of the interpretation boards in the Zouche & Hastings Gallery and information on the cartoons in the Loudoun Gallery. The pens are of particular help for those with visual impairment and also provide audio commentary in French & German.
A hallway with stairs leading up to a room

Research & Meetings

  • Researchers can use the Ferrers Community Room, where meetings and Workshops are also held.
  • The room is entered by two steps. A handrail is attached to the right-hand wall and the Museum also has a temporary ramp available for wheelchair users.
  • The upstairs Archive base is not open to the public.
  • Volunteers are on hand to answer questions or retrieve documents etc. for researchers.
Share by: