Winner of The Historic England Award for access in a Listed Building at the Blue Badge Access Awards 2019/20:

Woodhorn museum Ashington

Once the largest pit village in the world, Ashington is now home to Woodhorn Museum – a former working coal pit with a proud and dramatic industrial past. Nominated for the accessibility of a historic monument to the coal mining industry, Grade II Listed yet accessible. See their access statement. Here’s their nomination citation

“Within the listed Colliery buildings, there are ramps available for all visitors to access the buildings. One building, Winding House No2, has been opened up to allow visitors to see the last Winding Engine from the ground floor. The Winding Engine is on the second floor.There are hearing loops throughout the site and transcripts are available for the interactive exhibitions. Video displays have subtitles available. They have started to offer BSL tours for exhibitions. They also offer relaxed opening sessions for their big events such as Festive Tales and Ice Skating. There are plenty of disabled access parking spaces available and if visitors are in need of a wheelchair, Woodhorn offer 2 wheelchairs and a mobility scooter. Inside the Cutter Building, there is a ramp that allows access between the ground floor level and the upper ground floor level. All of their staff are trained in disability awareness.”