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Overview

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• About View
  • Facilities available in the venue include: museum, tours, shop, lunchroom and toilets.
  • View information on opening times
• Parking and Public Transport View
  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking and a public car park nearby.
  • The nearest train station is Colchester Town.
  • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
• Getting In and Around View
  • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: to lunchroom and toilets.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors, automatic doors, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed via a standard lift.
  • The following facilities are available: a seat/chair, a hearing assistance system, a manual wheelchair and a water bowl for assistance dogs.
  • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
  • Staff receive the following training: Basic BSL, Autism Awareness, Dementia Awareness, Audio Description and First Aid.
• Toilet and Changing Facilities View
  • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
  • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor.
  • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in one of the toilets with adaptations.

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

• The venue has on street Blue Badge bays nearby and a public car park nearby.

You are on Entrance. Skip to the next section.

Entrance

• This entrance is located at the front castle.
• There is step-free level access at the entrance.
• There are double manual doors at this entrance.
• The doors are permanently held open.
• The width of the opening is 208cm.
• There is a second set of double automatic doors .
• The second set of doors open towards you.
• The width of the opening is 194cm.
• There is step-free level access as you enter.

You are on Reception. Skip to the next section.

Reception

• The reception is located as you enter the castle.
• The most accessible route to reception has uneven surfaces, doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
• There is step-free level access to reception.
• The height of the reception desk is 153cm.
• There is a lowered section at the desk, however it is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user .
• There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
• There is background noise in this area.
• Seating available in this area includes: benches.

You are on Shop. Skip to the next section.

Shop

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• Getting Around View
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include narrow aisles.
  • There is background noise.
• Payment View
  • The checkout area is located to the left and then left again.
  • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
  • The venue has a payment counter.
  • The height of the payment counter is 95cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.

You are on Getting Around. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around

• There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
• Access throughout may include manual doors.
• There may be background noise.
• Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and benches.

You are on Exhibition Space (Ground Floor Gallery). Skip to the next section.

Exhibition Space (Ground Floor Gallery)

• All exhibits are indoors.
• There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• The following may be experienced here: sudden loud noises.
• There is background noise.
• Display information includes: braille, tactile, pictorial, audio description, information boards, touchscreens, televisions/screens, handheld information devices and BSL.
• Seating available in this area includes: benches.

You are on Lift. Skip to the next section.

Lift

• The lift surveyed is located in the middle of the ground floor gallery.
• The journey time to this lift from reception is approximately 1 minute.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
• The ground and first floors are accessed by this lift.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 89cm.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
• Mobility scooters cannot use this lift due to the dimensions and weight restrictions.

You are on Stairs. Skip to the next section.

Stairs

• The stairs surveyed are located behind the ground floor gallery lift.
• The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 20+ steps between floors which are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located through the ground floor gallery and to the right at the lunchroom.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has a ramp or slope, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the door opening is 72cm.
  • The door has a locking handle.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
  • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
  • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
  • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
  • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
  • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
  • Additional features include: a full length mirror and a shelf.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located past the first toilet with adaptations, and to the left.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has a ramp or slope, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
  • The door has a sliding bolt lock.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
  • The lateral transfer space is 72cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
  • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
  • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
  • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a soap dispenser, a wall mounted towel dispenser and a hand dryer available.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
  • There is an intercom alarm system.
  • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
  • Additional features include: a full length mirror, coat hooks and a baby changing table.

You are on Lift. Skip to the next section.

Lift

• The lift surveyed is located straight on past the toilets towards the prison.
• The journey time to this lift from the reception is approximately 2 minutes.
• The most accessible route to the lift has a ramp or slope, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
• The ground and first floors are accessed by this lift.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 77cm.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.

You are on Exhibition Space (First Floor Gallery). Skip to the next section.

Exhibition Space (First Floor Gallery)

• All exhibits are indoors.
• There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• The following may be experienced here: sudden loud noises, lighting effects and 3D visual effects on screen.
• There is background noise.
• Display information includes: braille, tactile, pictorial, information boards, touchscreens, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user, BSL and subtitles.
• Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and benches.

You are on Exhibition Space (Prison). Skip to the next section.

Exhibition Space (Prison)

• All exhibits are indoors.
• There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
• The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: into the prison.
• Access throughout may include doors permanently held open, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
• There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• The following may be experienced here: lighting effects and audio triggered by a sensor.
• There is background noise.
• Display information includes: pictorial, information boards and televisions/screens.
• Seating available in this area includes: benches.

You are on Stairs (Prison). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (Prison)

• The stairs surveyed are located in the prison.
• The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 20+ steps between floors which are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.

You are on Seating Area (Lunchroom). Skip to the next section.

Seating Area (Lunchroom)

• The seating area is located through the ground floor gallery and up the ramp.
• The most accessible route to the seating area has a ramp or slope, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
• There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
• The following areas have stepped access: to armchairs.
• There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
• Seating available in this area includes: armchairs, benches and stools.
• Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
• There is background noise in this area.