Accessibility

Visitors who are wheelchair users or whose mobility is limited

• There is step free access throughout the museum - there are some ramps or slopes
• Wheelchairs are available to borrow for your visit, please ask at the front desk
• Lifts are available to floors 1, 2, and 3 of the Town Hall
• Seating is available throughout the Museum
• There is a Changing Places available on the ground floor, and Accessible toilets throughout the building. A radar key is required to access the Changing Places - this can be collected from the main Town Hall reception, at the entrance to the Old George cafe. 

Visitors who are D/deaf or have hearing loss

• Portable hearing loops are available on the front desk on request
• All films are subtitled

Visitors who are blind or partially sighted

• Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the building

Audio Descriptions

We have audio descriptions of a selection objects from our collections. 

On August 26 2023, we will have a series of audio described films playing in our Learning Lab at Experience Barnsley, including historic reconstructions of Elsecar Heritage Centre in 1880 and Eldon Street in the 1960s. 
10.00 - 15.00 - Free, drop in. There are 6 films in total which will play on a loop.

Autistic visitors, visitors with learning disabilities and neurodivergent visitors

• We have visual stories for each of our sites
• We have an access backpack available to borrow for the course of your visit containing ear defenders, fidget toys, torches, coloured filters and magnifying glasses - please ask at the front desk if you wish to borrow this. There is no charge.
• The museum is free to enter for all and you can leave and come back as many times as you want during the day.

We are holding relaxed openings at Experience Barnsley and the Cooper Gallery on the following dates:

2023:

Tuesday 30 May
Saturday 17 June
Wednesday 26 July
Friday 18 August
Saturday 16 September
Monday 23 October
Saturday 18 November
Saturday 9 December

Interactives will be turned down or off to create a quieter experience for visitors who prefer it. We can never guarantee how quiet or busy the Gallery might be on these sessions however we will not book in any groups or school visits on these days.

In the rare event of a security case alarm being triggered, an alarm similar to a fire alarm will go off. We will endevour to turn this off as quickly as possible. Ear defenders are available in our sensory backpacks for your visit. The alarm is less audible in the shop, which will provide a quieter environment.

Makaton Mondays

We have a series of Makaton videos with information about objects in the Experience Barnsley collection for you to enjoy.

Downloads and other resources

We have a 360 virtual tour of Experience Barnsley available

We have a 360 virtual tour of Barnsley archives available