Overview

During WW1 , HM Factory Gretna was the largest munitions factory in the world. The museum presents an insight into life for the workers, who were mainly young women. The purpose built museum is usually fully accessible, the day I visited the lift wasn’t working, and I couldn’t access the upper floor, but I was given a years free pass to visit as many times as I wanted as compensation. Great customer service. I loved my visit, everything was well presented and set out. Interactive activities for older children.There is a lot of reading though.There is a fabulous café on site which serves delicious and reasonably priced food and home baking, which I would also highly recommend, the only reason I haven’t given 5 stars is because the pathway accessing the café had tables both sides, and this made it difficult to access with my wheelchair.

Transport & Parking

We travelled by car, 2 dedicated accessible spaces near the entrance , plenty of parking The museum is on the main Dumfries/Annan to Carlisle bus route, with a regular service passing the museum

Access

Good signage, everything on the flat. As mentioned the lift wasn’t working to upper floor the day I visited. Plenty of seating outside for a rest One way system in place, which takes longer as they only allow one group into a section at a time. I did notice chairs to rest on , on the way round. Lots of reading , so takes time to get round. Many of the displays had headphones available, and the film displays had the option to be played with BSL The museum offers leaflets in large print

Toilets

Clean & tidy, roomy, but had to move bins to manoeuvre my chair around Red cord down to floor, Euan’s Guide red cord card already in situ. If you are visiting the café after the museum, and need the loo, then try and go before you go to the café, as no loo in the café, and you have to go back round the museum to access the loo.

Staff

Staff were brilliant, so apologetic about lift, and as mentioned the manageress gave me a years pass as compensation. All staff were very friendly, approachable and helpful from the minute we arrived, and nothing was too much trouble for them

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Advisable to pre book online or phone, as they only allow one group in at a time, with at least 15 minutes between groups Contact details taken at door of both museum and cafe Masks worn inside the museum Hand sanitising stations throughout, plenty signage to remind of hand sanitising and social distancing guidelines The displays are part of a one way system , divided into sections with floor markings advising not to enter the next section until the party in front have exited that section. Staff do enforce the guidelines regarding divided sections. Concession of free entrance for necessary companions/ carers Would definitely visit again, found it fascinating, and informative. Loved it.

Photos