Overview

Sometimes museums can feel a bit like a challenge but not the McManus. When someone steps forward at the door and welcomes you to the museum you know you're on to a good thing. Not sure of the accessibility we had a chat with the front desk and they gave me a handy map of the museum and a quick overview of the accessible facilities. We were off, as it was time to hunt down the childhood memories. After all, I'm of an age where many of my childhood memories are now curiosities in museums!

Transport & Parking

With an easy walk from the centre of town and a brilliantly ramped slope up to the main entrance is was easy to get to the museum. On the rear side of the building there are a couple of accessible parking bays; which we had planned to use but didn't need to in the end.

Access

We thought the disabled access within the museum was great. One of those rare opportunities when you can forget about ramps, doors and so much more. It was level access all the way throughout the building. A large modern lift connected the floors. The exhibits were all placed in such a way as to be easy to see and enjoy from wheelchair height. Favourites were too numerous but a couple of highlights had to be the discovery of the characters from my childhood comics. Many a cold winter's morning was by me spent shovelling in the porridge at breakfast time whilst try to read the latest edition of the Beano! The recreated street of shops was a fabulous hit for me. From a distance it looked like a cobbled street and my heart sank. Cobbles are the nemesis of so many wheelchair users. However, my stress turned to absolute delight as I discovered the cobbles to be completely flat as they were drawn on the flooring rather than being the real deal; I'd never have guessed that from a distance. I was able to pop my head into the grocer's store where a video panel showed the shop keeper who seemed to be talking to me. A couple of doors down and a visit to the pub introduced me to the landlady. A toy shop, and so much more ... we had great fun here - even if some of the exhibits were within my living memory. The museum has a large and spacious cafe too which is handy for refreshments. We ran out time in the museum and will be back for more!

Toilets

We found one of the accessible loos on the ground floor which was large, modern and spotlessly clean. All the things you would expect to find in an accessible loo.

Staff

A five star experience; from the meet and greet as we entered to the building through to the helpful front of house staff who gave me a map and explanation of the layout and the occasional team members we met on our exploring. A place we we really felt welcome ...

Photos