Overview

National Maritime Museum, large museum with a fascinating, world class maritime display. Steps free or lifts available to upper floors and disabled accessible toilets.

Transport & Parking

I travelled by public transport and the bus stop was opposite the entrance of the museum. There is a path through the grounds to the main entrance. There are some benches next to the path.

Access

I was visiting the Emma Hamilton exhibition and due to previous visits I was familiar where to go. I noticed that there was signage for toilets and exhibition. I didn't visit other parts of the museum on this occasion. I was visiting the Emma Hamilton exhibition on the lower ground level which was accessible by lift. The exhibition itself was excellent, fascinating and well presented.

Toilets

The disabled accessible toilets were well signposted. The disabled toilet by the ground floor café was in use so I didn't use it so can't comment on the facilities. I used the main ladies toilets. To my delight/ surprise the toilet nearest the entrance was slightly wider than the others and had grab rails which made it easy for me to use. However it would not be suitable for a person in a wheelchair as it is too narrow and there is no sink inside.

Staff

Apart from buying my ticket for the exhibition and showing my ticket at the entrance I had no interaction with the staff. They were polite.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Going round the exhibition there were only 3 places where I could sit down and these were where there were film shows. There was no extra seating. For me personally I really struggled with this as I was in quite a high level of pain for much of the exhibition and was really thankful when I came across somewhere to sit. When we came out we had a seat by the entrance. I saw that there were some fold up stools, which I hadn't noticed before when I was going in. My friend said that most museums offer stools and also wheelchairs loans. Since my accident as I can't stand for very long time without it becoming quite painful, I have had a tendency to avoid museums, I didn't realise what was on offer, so it was my fault. However it would be appreciated if staff had been more proactive and on seeing my crutch asked if I'd like a fold up stool.