Accessibility

We are committed to making the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic as accessible as we can for everyone.

Unfortunately we are by definition not an accessible building. The Museum is located in stone built historic premises, in a conservation area, with narrow stone doorways unsuitable for wheelchairs.

We receive zero public funds, and currently we are unable to make substantial adaptations. New fire safety guidance comes into force on 1 October 2023, and following a FRA carried out in February, we have removed the stairlift, which was unsuitable for wheelchair users. The MWM Commissioned an NRAC Access Survey in March, and our access strategy commits us:

1) To continue to offer all wheelchair users free access to the Museum’s very compact ground floor.

2) To offer the option of folding wheelchair available for self transfer (ground floor only).

3) We are developing for Summer 2024 a BSL Video.

4) A video / wifi enabled presentation for those unable to see the upper floor.

5) New engagement guide for young children.

Further adaptations are timetabled for 2025.

Parking and local access

Six disabled parking bays provided by Cornwall Council are located in the village car park.

MWM is located in the harbour pedestrian area 250 metres from the village car park.

Disabled Drop off only. There is no visitor parking in the harbour area. Parking is for business permit holders only (enforced parking zone).

Both paths are suitable for wheelchairs.

Two paths either side of the river lead to the Museum. We are on the same side of the harbour as the National Trust.

Three paths lead from the harbour area, only one of which is suitable for wheelchairs.

The coastal path from the harbour is particularly steep, and one path leads directly to the sea past the Youth Hostel. Boscastle has no beach, and the coastline is rocky.

First Aid

Staff are trained first aiders.

Entrance
The entrance and exit to the museum is via the doors adjacent to the National Trust building. There is step-free access at the main entrance. In busy periods, this is where the Museum queue will start. Please do not stand in the museum entrance as it must be kept clear for fire exit (access and egress).

Visitors with Mobility Impairments

Wheelchair and scooter access

As stated previously, we are not an accessible building. An NRAC Access Survey was completed in March 2024.

Some manual wheelchair users are able to access the ground floor independently, provided that the dimensions do not exceed those of the UK reference wheelchair size.

Generally speaking class 1 scooters are usually permitted in the shop area. Unfortunately, tiller controlled class 2 & 3 scooters are not permitted in the museum and should be parked outside.

This is because they are too large and do not have the manoeuvreability required to safely access the heritage building.

We do, however, have a manual wheelchair for visitors to use (subject to availability); please ask at the information desk when you arrive.

The Museum is unable to provide staff assistance to those borrowing the manual wheelchair.

Seating
A wooden seat with a back and armrest is available on the upper floor.

Visitors with a Visual or Hearing Impairment

Assistance dogs

We welcome visitors with working assistance dogs. Drinking water is provided. We ask any visitor with a working assistance dog to ensure that it behaves appropriately throughout the visit, bearing in mind that we operate in a building with exceptionally confined space. [In order to assist with other visitors who may be nervous of dogs, we kindly request that all lanyards and vests identifying your assistance animal remain visible]

Getting Around the Museum

The Museum is set over two floors with two sets of stairs, neither of which have stairlift access.

Each staircase has 13 steps. Both have single handrails to the right hand. One has a large landing after three steps, turning to the right. The second set of stairs are straight. New double stair rails are being fitted in July 2024.

Seating with armrests and backrests available in the upper gallery.

Large Print Guide

An accompanying large print guide is available from the Museum booth.

Neurodivergence

For visitors who experience sound atypically,

The Museum can sometimes be crowded and noisy. Generally the quietest times to visit the MWM is the afternoon between 4pm and 5pm but this can vary with the season. Ask for advice at the Museum Booth.

Sound is used in the museum as an interpretative tool at ‘Joan’s Cottage’.

Ear defenders are available from the Museum Booth.

For visitors with atypical vision

Some paintings are glazed with glass or perspex, and display cases are finished with glazed screens, so there can be some surface reflection.

An accompanying large print guide is available from the Museum Booth.

Torches and hand-held illuminated magnifying glasses are available to borrow from the Museum Booth

Lighting

The Museum is in a historic building with low light levels in some of the rooms. Light levels vary across the Museum.Some displays are dimly lit to preserve the exhibits. The galleries are lit by spot lights which can create shadows. Some paintings are glazed with glass or perspex, and display cases are finished with glazed screens, so there can be some surface reflection.

Claustrophobia and Anthropophobia

Some visitors report feeling claustrophobic and appreciate our offer to revisit when the museum is quieter. Crowd density can vary with the season. Ask for advice at the Museum Booth.

Museum Booth & Shop

At the Booth staff will greet you, take your payment for entry, and direct you to the Museum collections. In busy periods, when we have reached capacity and are full, you will possibly be asked to join the queue outside.

The Museum Shop operates during the period of opening and is subject to the same museum rules on capacity as it occupies the same building. In busy periods, you may only access the shop as a Museum visitor. Ask at the Museum Booth.

Guidebooks of the museum are available at the Museum Booth to assist your visit.

Foreign language guides are available at the Museum Booth to assist your visit.

Large print guides are available to assist your visit.

Toilets
We have no onsite toilets. Please visit the village toilets before your visit.

Cafés in the Harbour Area.

The Museum does not operate a cafe. There are two Cafés and one ice cream stall in the Harbour area. Coffee is available from all three.

– The National Trust

– The Good Stuff

– The Harbour Light (Ice Cream stall)

Please do not bring food or drink into the Museum.  

Baggage

Backpackers must remove backpacks before visiting the Museum.

Limited Storage for baggage is available subject to capacity – ask at Museum booth.

All bags are left at the owners own risk and the Museum does not accept liability for any bags.

Buggy and pushchair access

Buggies and pushchairs are welcome in the Museum; parents should be confident they can carry buggies and pushchairs up and down stairs. There is no buggy storage available. Alternatively they can be folded and left outside at your own risk. Unfortunately, the historic building was not designed with storage in mind, and we have little available space to adapt.

Debrillator

Is located at Boscastle Nisa

Minor Injury

Stratton Community Hospital ( Bude )