Building access
The courtyard and entrances have level access and there is a lift that goes to all floors of the building, making the Lightbox Gallery fully accessible for wheelchair users.
Accessible toilets can be found on both the ground and first floors.
On each floor we have free-to-use folding stools to make your visit to the exhibitions more comfortable. Induction Loops, magnifying glasses, and wheelchairs are all available on request, and registered assistance dogs are welcome.
Disabled parking
We have three disabled parking bays which can be booked in advance. If you would like to book a space, please call reception on 01483 737800 or speak to a member of staff upon arrival.
Relaxed openings
On the last Sunday of every month between 11.00am - 12.00pm, we operate a relaxed opening.
This is an hour offering a calm atmosphere in which to explore our galleries, sensitive to the needs of visitors with any communication or sensory needs. Siblings, families, carers, and friends are welcome. If you would like a slightly quieter entrance to the building, we recommend using the back entrance, accessible through the car park.
Resources to prepare for your visit
Prepare for your visit by reading our guides designed for those with sensory needs and/ or on the autism spectrum.
Our 'visitor guide for sensory needs' is designed to enable newcomers to feel confident and comfortable coming to the Lightbox Gallery. It also includes downloadable sensory maps with visual insight into what to expect on arrival and is written in clear language with pictures in a storybook format.
Our 'visual story book' provides those with a visual insight into what they can expect on their visit, written in clear language with pictures in a storybook format.
Tactile resources and large print guides
In the second floor gallery, you can find a sensory bag, filled with tactile resources, that is free to borrow and use to help children explore the artworks on display. You will find the yellow bag hanging on a hook inside the gallery.
There is also a Make and Play area on the second floor outside the gallery which includes a magnetic pattern wall, sculpture station, lots of bean bags to sit on and storybook bags that are free to use.
Large Print Guides are also available within our exhibitions - just ask the volunteer as you enter our gallery spaces.
For more information, or questions regarding accessibility and facilities, please reach out to us.
Bloomberg Connects
Lightbox Gallery & Museum is on Bloomberg Connects, a free arts and culture app that allows you to explore digital exhibition guides and museum objects. It is packed with behind-the-scenes information about our exhibitions, featuring audio and visual content, transcripts, and font and image size adjustment to accommodate a range of accessibility needs.
To download Bloomberg Connects, visit your app store or click below.
Audio description resources
Visually impaired visitors are invited to join us for described tours of our exhibitions.
If you are unable to attend one of our pre-scheduled described tours, we are able to offer private, 1:1 described tours on request.
Sighted companions and guide dogs are welcome.
Visually impaired visitors that would prefer to have a self-guided visit through our galleries can make use of the Seeing AI app which offers an object recognition feature that can be used to generate audio descriptions of the artworks on display.
Download Seeing AI from Apple App Store here or from Google play store here.
To book or find out more please contact Heather Thomas, Head of Learning and Engagement via email below, or mobile: 01483 737815.
