Access

There are induction loops in the gallery. They can be found at the Welcome Desk, Café and in our Auditorium.

The gallery has two manual wheelchairs available to use. These can be booked in advance by calling the gallery on 01924 247360.

We welcome Guide and Assistance Dogs in the galleries.

We have ear defenders available to borrow while visiting the gallery. Please ask at the Welcome Desk.

The Welcome Desk is a short distance from the main entrance and is medium height. Part of the desk is lower level for easy access to wheelchair users. There is an induction loop. Lighting levels are bright.

While we do not have a cloakroom available, there are lockers in the foyer which you can use to store your things while you visit the galleries. One locker costs a refundable £1.

The main public toilets are on the ground floor to the right hand side of the Welcome Desk at the rear of the foyer. This area of public toilets includes standard toilets plus accessible facilities and a baby change area.

There are three accessible toilets throughout the building, one on the ground floor, one in Gallery 6 and another in the Learning Studios.  All accessible toilets have a functional emergency alarm, coat hooks and wall mounted rails.

The gallery has a Changing Places toilet that is located within the gallery’s Clore Learning Studios on the ground floor, an area of the building used primarily by families and schools. The facility has a height adjustable adult sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system and adequate space in the changing area for the person with additional needs and up to two carers.

Events take place in our ground floor auditorium and Learning Studios. The auditorium and Learning Studios have level access from the foyer and are easily accessible by a wheelchair user. The auditorium has an induction loop. Concessionary rate tickets for special events are available to disabled visitors and carers receive free admission. For the latest events see What’s On.

There are two lifts available for public use, one is a standard lift and the other a goods lift available upon request. Lifts are located at the rear of the foyer by the stairway up to the first floor galleries. The lifts have a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer. The external call buttons are at the height of 1050mm. The lighting level in the lifts is bright.

There are ten interlinked gallery spaces on the first floor; all gallery spaces have level access and double doors. There is an accessible toilet in Gallery 6.

Artworks have wall mounted labels next to each work in 16 point text along with introductory text panels in each gallery space in 58 point text size.

Gallery spaces have sculptures displayed on large low level and high level plinths. Extra care should be taken when manoeuvring around these.

Gallery 4 presents objects, photographs and tools from Hepworth’s studio in glass cabinets with drawers at 70cm high. Large print versions of the text panels are available.

The lighting level throughout the building is bright with natural daylight in all spaces. The stairs to the first floor are clearly marked and are 165mm high and 280mm deep. There are 14 steps to mid landing and a further 13 to the first floor. There are handrails on both sides and a landing between flights.

There are a number of portable stools available for use in the galleries, please ask a member of staff for assistance. There are fixed benches in the foyer and in some of our galleries.

There are various exit routes out of the building for use in the event of an emergency. Exits are clearly marked with illuminated green ‘running man’ signs. Staff will assist in ensuring all visitors leave the building promptly and safely in the event of an emergency. Evacuation chairs are in place to aid disabled visitors and staff are trained in their operation.

If you would like to visit the gallery and have access requirements, please contact us on 01924 247360 or email hello@hepworthwakefield.org and we will be happy to help you.

We strive to continuously improve our provision and work with individuals and groups to make sure the gallery is available to all. If you have any suggestions or feedback, then please get in touch, it will be much appreciated.

We hope you enjoy your visit to The Hepworth Wakefield.