Access information for visiting York Art Gallery

Collection of logos highlighting the organisations we support at York Museums Trust: Assistance Dogs UK, Guide Dogs, Age Friendly Museums Network, Max Card, Disabled Go, Euan's Guide and Working To Become Dementia Friendly

Collection of logos highlighting the organisations we support at York Museums Trust: Assistance Dogs UK, Guide Dogs, Age Friendly Museums Network, Max Card, Disabled Go, Euan’s Guide and Working To Become Dementia Friendly

Our gallery is in an historic building and this could make access difficult for some of our visitors. The details below should be helpful in planning your visit.

 

 

Click here for online Visitor Information.

 

Help and Assistance

Our Visitor Experience Team are there to help all of our visitors at any point during a visit. They can help you find your way around the gallery and answer any questions you may have.

Some of our staff are trained in Autism Awareness and Visual Impairment Awareness, and some are Dementia Friends.

For visitors who identify as having an access difficulty please talk to our Visitor Experience team when you arrive as they may be able to help you. Alternatively, please enquire in advance using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Communication lanyards are available upon request.

Admissions

Free and reduced-price admissions are available – please click here for more information.

We do not currently operate a fast-track entry system for visitors with additional needs, but if you need assistance when queuing please ask a member of staff.

 

Parking

There is no parking at the gallery.

Cars can drop off at the main Exhibition Square entrance to the gallery. The closest parking is located at Bootham Row car park, Bootham Row, York, YO30 7BP. Parking here is free all day for blue badge holders. For further car parking information please click here.

 

Toilets

There is one accessible toilet on the ground floor and another on the first floor. The toilets are gender neutral. There are baby changing facilities in both accessible toilets.

 

Physical Access

There are two ramps either side of the gallery’s main entrance on Exhibition Square. The central door is a power assisted door.

The gallery is on two floors and there are two lifts – one at the front of the building and one at the rear, near the garden balcony entrance. The garden balcony entrance door is a power assisted door.

The gallery spaces are fully accessible to wheelchair users; however, the doors to the gallery spaces are not automatic – a member of the Visitor Experience Team is positioned on each gallery and can assist with such doors if required.

We have a wheelchair that can be booked on request. Please contact 01904 687687 in advance to book

Lift Access

The first floor can be accessed by two lifts.

 

Mobility Aids

We have a manual wheelchair that visitors are welcome to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask a member of our Visitor Experience Team on arrival.

Mobility scooters are permitted. We ask that drivers take care when driving through the gallery spaces.

Seating is available in all the galleries. Portable folding stools are available on request.

 

Pushchairs

Pushchairs can be taken into the galleries.

 

Animals 

We welcome all assistance dogs to our sites. We ask that they are appropriately trained, supervised, and kept with you at all times as we do have many objects on open display. Water can be provided on request.

Where possible, assistance dog owners should bring their Assistance Dog UK (ADUK) identification book and animals should wear the appropriate tabard or harness.

If you have any further questions, including requests to bring assistance animals other than dogs to our sites, please contact us ahead of your visit and we will be happy to help.

 

Noise Levels

The gallery can get very busy. We suggest that if you would prefer to visit at a quieter time, weekdays after 3pm during term time or when we open on Sundays tend to be less busy, although we cannot guarantee it.

As we get busy, some of the areas can be quite noisy including reception. We do have a hearing loop fitted in the building.

We have 2 pairs of ear defenders available for use by visitors. They can be adjusted to fit adults or children. Please ask staff for assistance if you wish to use them.

 

Light Levels

Light levels might be kept low to help in the conservation of our objects. There is always a lighter area nearby, but if you do require assistance, please ask one of our guides.

Exhibitions containing flashing lights are labelled to inform people with epilepsy.

 

Virtual reality and films

Please be aware that some of our gallery spaces have films running. If this is an issue for you, please inform a member of staff on arrival and they will offer advice on how to avoid those areas if at all possible.

Staff should also be available to help on gallery if needed.

 

Signage and Display Information

All of our signage and display information uses a clear font and is at least 16pt.

There is additional descriptive information available for key artworks on display around the gallery.

All of our visual interactives have subtitles.

We may have large print available for our exhibitions. Please ask a member of staff should you need large print.

Easy read guides (admission information only) and colour overlays for dyslexic readers are available upon request.

Shop

We currently have one shop open and that is on exiting the building, which is fully accessible.

 

First Aid

There is always a trained first aider on duty. First Aid kits are available for trained staff to use and a defibrillator is available. Please ask for help if required.

 

Additional Information

Click the logo below for more information:

 

Events

Click here to view our upcoming events and select the ‘Accessible’ category to filter them.

Most of our events are fully accessible to those with additional needs unless otherwise stated. If you need further information, please contact us ahead of the event and we will be happy to help.

 

Contact Us

For more information please call 01904 687687 or fill out this online form.

Click here to download this information as a Word document.