Here are a few suggestions of diverse and stimulating disabled friendly places to visit outside of London in Southern England.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
The Brighton Museum & Art Gallery in East Sussex expanded its disabled access during a several million pound renovation. It offers lively galleries with culturally varied collections, incorporating many intriguing pieces such as pottery and centuries old tiles. The building’s main entrance affords a look at the Royal Pavilion gardens. The Body Gallery is filled with wide-ranging objects, whether ancient Egyptian or contemporary, and explores how people understand human bodies. The gallery also displays fine art and 20th century paintings. All areas are accessible for users with mobility impairment, and guided tours are available for groups.
Banbury Museum
Over the Oxford Canal, the Banbury Museum examines the town’s rich history through a series of touchable exhibits. You can find a cannon, Victorian toys, and even a hangman’s gibbet. The Waterways Gallery allows visitors to watch the Canal flow beneath them, and witness boats being fixed in an antique boatyard. The museum provides full wheelchair access to public areas, and Induction Loops in their lecture theatres.
River & Rowing Museum
An interactive venue in Henley-on-Thames, the River & Rowing Museum covers local history and the broader topics of the River Thames and rowing. The museum includes captivating collections of boats and objects, and offers touch exhibits. An exhibit dedicated to The Wind in the Willows features models and an audio narration of the story. Events are set up for people with disabilities, as well as a range of Induction Loops, large print information, and a wheelchair loan service.
STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway
STEAM of Swindon relates the story of the people involved in the landmark Great Western Railway, from its conception by the renowned Isambard Kingdom Brunel through to its completion and beyond. It offers suitable disabled facilities, and houses touchable displays and exciting locomotives. One of its most unique aspects is the recreated station platform, giving a further touch of liveliness and authenticity.
Southampton City Art Gallery
Internationally celebrated, Southampton City Art Gallery is perhaps the most exceptional gallery in the south, full of modern British pieces in addition to works spanning multiple centuries of European art. The earliest items date as far back as the 14th century. Full mobility access is provided, along with frequent signed tours for the deaf or hard of hearing and touch tours for visually impaired visitors.
Museum of East Asian Art
The Museum of East Asian Art gives you a chance to observe an impressive array of striking objects from Eastern countries. Some are from approximately 5000 BC while others are contemporary. Extraordinary bamboo carvings, Chinese ceramics, different varieties of jades and bronzes are just some of the pieces on show. They offer disabled facilities including Induction Loops, touch exhibits, large print and magnifying glasses, guided tours if informed of your requirements in advance, and elevators for mobility access.