Overview

Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life is built on the old Summerlee Ironworks situated in Coatbridge. The museum has both indoor and outdoor attractions as well as a canal and cafe, all which are accessible by wheelchair. The only thing found that was not accessible was the coal mine due to its cramped conditions. However the tram on site has a tail lift allowing wheelchair access to enjoy the short tram ride round to the cottages and the exhibition hall has a lift allowing access to the upper floor for temporary exhibits and the viewing pod. Overall the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life was very accommodating when it came to disabled access.

Transport & Parking

4.5

There is on site parking with quite a number of blue card holder parking spaces both at the gates to the entrance and in the carpark across from the park and there is also a drop off point. There are also Coatbridge Central and Coatbridge Sunnyside train stations close by, with Coatbridge Central only at the end of the road. Buses also run locally and from Glasgow to the Fountain which is about 10 minutes from the park itself. Overall the easiest way to access the Summerly Museum is by car with plenty of parking available.

Access

4

The entrance to the main exhibition hall from the main gate is level and the main hall has plenty of space to roam the exhibitions and there is no problems manoeuvring around the displays. There is a lift enabling access to the upper floor where you can overlook the exhibition hall giving you a better idea of the scale of things. The upper floor is also where the temporary exhibitions are for events and there is also a viewing pod for you to look out over the park. The tram that runs from the entrance of the park to the cottages and sweet shop is equipped with a tail lift enabling wheelchair access. Once at the cottages some of the paths can be quite narrow particularly where the anderson shelter is. The cottages that display the homelife of families from 1840 to 1980 and the old traditional sweet shop all have a few steps to get inside but the staff in the sweet shop will happily assist with a ramp if wheelchair access is required. There is a reasonably steep slope down to the canal which might not be appropriate for everyone but once down you have access to along the canal and the Vulcan canal boat is fully accessible by wheelchair.

Toilets

5

The disabled toilet on site is exceptional. It is situated to the left as you enter the main exhibition hall and is well signposted. The toilet is fully equipped with an overhead track hoist and changing bench along a wash hand basin that is also on a track allowing it be moved up and down as well as along.

Staff

0

All staff were friendly and happy to assist especially the tram driver and staff in the sweet shop.