Access Guide
Overview
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About
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- Dickens House Museum is a small historic house museum on the seafront, dedicated to the life and works of Charles Dickens.
- There are no toilet facilities.
- View information on opening times.
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue does not have its own car park.
- There is a public car park nearby.
- The name of the nearest car park is Crofts Place Car Park.
- View information on Crofts Place (opens new tab).
- There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking.
- The nearest train station is Broadstairs.
- This station has step-free access.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
- Broadstairs station is classified as Step-Free Category B2.
- Access routes can be long or steep and step-free interchange between platforms may require a route, via the street (over 400m).
- No lifts are available.
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Getting In and Around
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- There is stepped access at the most accessible entrance.
- The most accessible entrance is also the main entrance.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- The following areas have stepped access: the upper floor of the museum, which includes the Victoriana room and the children's nursery.
- Doors are held open along circulation routes.
- The first floor can be accessed via stairs.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- Seating is available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
The Front Gate
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Access Point
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- This access point is located in front of the building on Victoria Parade.
- The access point is not clearly signed.
- There is stepped access at the access point.
- There is one step at the access point.
- There are no handrails for the step.
- The step is unmarked.
- The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step is 5cm.
- There is a single gate at this access point.
- The gate is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 88cm.
- The gate has a low colour contrast.
Entrance
- This entrance is located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is ramped and stepped access at the entrance.
- The ramp bypasses the step.
- The ramp is portable.
- The ramp has a steep gradient.
- The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide.
- There is one step as you enter.
- There are no handrails for the step.
- The step is clearly marked.
- The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
- There is a single manual door.
- The door opens away from you.
- The width of the opening is 84cm.
- The door has a high colour contrast.
- A door knocker, located at 79cm height, is available if the door is closed due to poor weather.
Admissions Desk and Shop
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Access to the Shop
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- The admissions desk and shop are located directly ahead of you, along the corridor to the right hand side of the stairs, as you enter the front door into the museum.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access.
- Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
- There is step-free level access into the shop.
- There is an opening without doors.
- The width of the opening is 88cm.
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Shop
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- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- Product displays/containers that may be more difficult for some to reach or open include: low shelving and high shelving.
- There may be background noise.
- Seating available for customers includes: stools.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
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Payment Counters and Checkouts
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- The payment counter is located directly ahead, as you enter the shop area.
- Signage is not provided for the counter.
- The height of the counter is 83cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- The card payment machine is at a height of 110cm.
- The payment machine is portable.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
Exhibition Space
- The museum is indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
- There may be background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- Display information includes: pictorial and information boards.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and stools.
- Furniture available in this area includes: adapted picnic tables.
- There are talks with designated seating for wheelchair users.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the tour.
- The following areas have stepped access: the upper floor of the museum, which includes the Victoriana room and the children's nursery.
- Wayfinding signage is not provided throughout the tour.
Stairs
- The stairs are located directly ahead, as you enter the building.
- The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
- There is a handrail on the right going up.
- The handrail is easy to grip.
- The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The steps are unmarked.
- The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 20cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.