Access Statement
The Salt Museum is housed in a Grade II listed Victorian building, formerly the workhouse for Northwich. It is located approx half a mile from the centre of Northwich on London Road.
The museum is located about half a mile south of Northwich on the A533. It is approx. a 30 minute drive from Chester and 40 minutes from Liverpool and Manchester.
Approach and car parking:
Public transport:
There is a regular bus service along London Road which operates a service between Northwich and Winsford. The bus stops within 100 metres of the museum. The route to and from the bus stop to the museum entrance is generally level, even and with no obstructions. However, there is no dropped kerb to allow access from the opposite side of the road.
The following Arriva bus services pass the museum – Nos 29 and 31.
There is no direct bus service currently operating between Northwich train station and the museum. Visitors arriving by train must either walk, get a taxi or catch a bus into the town centre and then another bus to the museum. The walk from the train station takes around 30 minutes and around 15 minutes from the town centre.
By car:
Approach by car is facilitated by numerous ‘brown and white’ tourist signs on major approach roads. Drivers approaching the museum from Northwich town centre should indicate and turn right once they’ve driven under the railway viaduct.
Access to the site:
- There are no barriers at the entrance to the site
- There are no dropping-off points at the front of the museum due to the busy nature of the road
- The entrance to the car-park is wide enough to allow ‘Dial-a-Ride’ buses to drop off customers close to the museum entrance
- There is plenty of parking for vehicles of all sizes
- The car park is level with an even surface
- There are designated parking bays for visitors with disabilities. They are situated to the right on entry to the car-park and are about 50 metres away from the museum entrance
- There is a dropped kerb to provide easy access to the pavement at the side of the museum building
- There is a notice board on the side of the building providing information on admission prices, opening hours and events
Entrance & reception:
- The entrance is clearly visible and easily located
- There is a slight incline up to the front door
- There is signage on the door providing information on admission prices and opening hours. Some of this signage is given in Braille.
- There is a glass door leading to the interior
- The reception is large enough to allow access to wheelchair users.
- An induction loop is fitted at reception
Admission prices:
Admission prices for 2007-08 are as follows:
- Adults £2.50
- Children £1.30
- Concessions £2.00
- Pre-booked adult groups £2.00
It is free for children under 5 and helpers accompanying wheelchair users plus anyone wishing to view just the special exhibition gallery, shop or coffee shop.
Orientation:
- Visitors are given a map showing the plan of the building and the content of the galleries. The receptionist will also provide some verbal instructions as to the best way around
- We have a large-print gallery guide available if requested.
- We have a gallery guide translated into French and Polish. We hope to add more languages in the future
- We also have a few members of staff who can speak French, German and Japanese. Please give us advanced notice to book this service.
The ground floor:
- The ground floor is accessible to all users – there are no steps.
- Visitors begin their visit in our mini cinema where we show an introductory film on salt-making in Cheshire. There is an induction loop in the cinema and space for a couple of wheelchairs
- The other galleries on the ground floor are – the special exhibition gallery, ‘Hands on Victorians’ and, at weekends and school holidays, the workhouse display in the Board of Guardians’ meeting room.
Lift:
- We have an accessible lift which can accommodate two people at a time. This takes visitors to the first floor.
The first floor:
- There are also stairs leading to the first floor where there are galleries on salt making, the uses of salt and the history of the River Weaver.
- The first floor is accessible to all users – there are no steps.
Toilets:
- We have an accessible toilet on the ground floor
- There are designated ladies and gents toilets on the first floor
Refreshments:
- We have a Coffee Shop on the ground floor and offer a selection of cakes, biscuits, crisps plus coffee, teas, cappuccino, hot chocolate and cold drinks.
- Please note - there is a pub next door, ‘The Bowling Green’, which offers a good selection of hot food and has a ramped entrance
The museum grounds:
- The surfaces of the grounds of the museum are predominantly flat with a good tarmac surface and grassy areas.
- There are benches available for visitors - but no tables at the moment
Large groups:
- We are able to accommodate large groups provided that an advanced booking is made.
- We have a large car-park providing room for coaches
- We offer a discounted admission rate of £2.00 per person for groups
- We can provide tea and coffee (with a top-up) for groups on arrival at an extra £1.00.
