This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.

Overview

The Blandford Town Museum is a free entry museum based in the centre of Blandford and holds a wealth of artefacts and archives from Prehistoric to the present day. The Museum can provide information for people researching their family history, militaria and railways to information and learning boxes for schools, from the local area. It is situated on level ground, down an alleyway branching off from the main high street.

The Museum has level access to the ground floor, however, unfortunately, there is no lift up to the first floor (which contains the railway exhibit, objects from schools through time, technology, musical instruments, and the Victorian kitchen exhibition). However, we have touch screen presentations on the ground floor showing some of the objects that may not otherwise be accessible to wheelchair users. There is also a Touch Table, where anyone can touch and feel the objects contained, which are relevant to different aspects of the museum.

We are always looking to improve our exhibitions for blind and visually impaired visitors, and with this in mind we have implemented the use of NaviLens codes throughout the museum. These codes, when scanned with one of two mobile phone apps (NaviLens and NaviLens Go), give directional information for those who are Blind or Visually Impaired and also provide audio descriptions and interpretations of the exhibitions. To use this facility, please download the NaviLens or the NaviLens GO applications on your mobile phone. If you need, you can purchase earphones from the museum shop, and we also have mobile phones with the apps already installed on them for people to borrow from reception. Please click here for more specific information about NaviLens and how it is used at the museum

We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 01258 450388 or email contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk.

Before your visit

Car parking and arrival

Entrance and Reception

Displays and Exhibits

Toilets

Contacting us

Before your visit

For full details and a map of how to get to the Museum, please see the “Find Us” page. If you are travelling using a car or public transport, our post-code is DT11 7HQ.
The nearest train station is Poole, which is approximately 14 miles away. Taxis are available at the station, or accessible taxis can be booked on the numbers given below. Additionally, the X8 bus from Poole to Blandford runs every hour. The nearest stop to the Museum on the incoming bus is Blandford Crown Hotel (Bay D), about 0.1 mile from the museum. The return bus leaves from Blandford Market Place (Bay B), at the end of Beres Yard and only 50 m from the musem entrance. Please be aware there is no seating at this stop.
The streets surrounding the Museum are wide pavements, on the high street, and are stone.

Local Equipment Hire

Wheelchairs and mobility aids can be hired from North Dorset Disability Action Group DAG), which is located 0.2 miles west of the Museum at 6/7 Nightingale Court, Blandford Forum, DT11 7ED. Open 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. Phone 01258268309 or 07791232461.

Local Accessible Taxis (24 hours)

United Taxis: 01202 556677
PRC Streamline Taxis: 01202 37 37 37

Car Parking and Arrival

The main entrance is fully wheelchair accessible, on a slight incline. The main door is open when the museum is open. The door opening width is 80 cm.
There is space for two cars to park on site, and if you call in advance we can reserve those spaces. The on-site parking spaces are both on tarmac, Otherwise there is on street parking, and two main car parks in the town (both charge for Blue Badge Holders, which is £2.40 for 2-4 hours).

Entrance and Reception Area

The main entrance is situated on the ground floor with step free, level access, throughout. There are no seats in this area. The floor surface is carpeted throughout the museum.
The area is lit through spotlights, but it is well lit.
There is no lowered desk, no screening, and stewards are always happy to help.
It should be noted that no tickets are required, as the museum is free, but we happily accept donations.
There is a shop with a range of souvenirs and books etc, which can be accessed directly from the main entrance/ticketing area. There are no doors, except the main entrance ones which are kept open, to access the shop and it has level access throughout.

Displays and exhibits

The museum spans two floors, and unfurtunately there is no access to the upper floor for wheelchair users at this time.
There are touch screens located in several specific areas in the museum, both are accessible from a sitting or standing position.
Written interpretations are a mixture of labels and panels, which are visible from a sitting position. The maximum height of labelling is 2 m.
Audio descriptions and interpretations are provided through Navilens codes, please click here for more information.
Several parts of the museum are set up as scenes,, with objects at various distances from the front of the display.
There are artefacts in glass cabinets, as well as labels, and the maximum height of the objects is 2 m.
There is no background music.
There are no doors downstairs, however there is a a slight slope about 1.8 m long after the fire diorama, a flat floor space for about 2 m and then a second shallow slope of about 1 m.
None of the displays uses flashing lights.
Seating is located at the far end of the museum, and there are several padded benches.

Public Toilets

Currently, the museum does not have public toilets, nor any accessible WCs, however, these are areas which we are working towards changing.
Public toilets, including an accessible toilet, are located at the Blandford Information Centre, which is located at the entrance to the Marsh and Ham car park on West Street (0.2 miles away from the museum).