Access
Beckford’s Tower is open to all. We strive to create an inclusive environment so everyone can enjoy the museum and landscape.
Video guide
Coming soon!
Accessible parking
There are 2 Blue Badge parking spaces at Beckford’s Tower. One is located at the Grotto entrance, and another at the Tower entrance. Please email us on [email protected] if you wish to book one of these spaces in advance.
Accessible toilet
We have one accessible toilet in the Grotto car park. This is accessed through a radar key when the Museum is open.
Wheelchair users
There are 38 steps to enter the museum space, and another 127 to climb the Tower to the Belvedere level. As we are a Grade 1 listed building we have been unable to install a lift to improve accessibility. However, we have created a new space in the Tower Vault which has level access from the main pathway and contains some the Access Resources described in detail below. These include Digital Binoculars featuring a 360 video tour of the Museum and Tower, and the opportunity to borrow a Go-Pro camera and i-Pad to experience the views as your party members climb the Tower.
There is a level pathway running the length of the site which is fully accessible from both the Grotto car park and the Tower car park.
Portable stools
We have two portable stools behind the welcome desk. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to borrow one.
Assistance dogs
We welcome suitably trained assistance dogs. They must be under your control during your visit. Ideally they should remain on a lead and wear a relevant tabard or harness. Where possible, dog owners should bring their Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) identification book.
If you plan to visit with an assistance animal other than an assistance dog, please get in touch to discuss your request with us at [email protected]
Quieter times to visit
It is typically quieter during the lunchtime hours 1pm to 2pm.
Access resources
Digital 360 degree tour
We have a 360 tour of the Museum rooms and Tower to view on our specially designed digital binoculars. These are available to use in the Tower Vault for all our visitors, but especially those who are unable to climb the Tower steps.
Large print guide and subtitles
A large print guide to the collection is available in the Museum and the Tower Vault.
The films shown within the Museum are subtitled
Tactile book
A tactile book, featuring raised drawings and braille descriptions of the collection, is available in the Museum and the Tower Vault.
Tactile models
A set of 5 tactile models, depicting aspects of the Tower building and the landscape, are available in the Tower Vault. These are mounted on a display board featuring raised drawings and braille descriptions.
Sensory backpack for children
A sensory backpack is available to borrow for children. This contains a fidget toy, stringy ball, stress ball, telescope, mirror, ear defenders, soft bird, 5-minute timer, and communication fan. Please ask at the welcome desk.
Adult sensory resources
Sensory resources are available for any adult that would like to borrow them. Within the pack there are ear defenders, liquid sensory timer, soft bird, fidget toy and stress ball. Please ask at the welcome desk.
Contact us
If you’d like to tell us about your accessibility needs or ask a question before your visit, get in touch:
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 460705
Email: [email protected]
Website accessibility and EDI statement
We are committed to ensuring everyone can use this website and have developed the site to suit different user needs. In this section we explore ideas for making the site more accessible and at the end have listed links to more detailed information on different devices. Please get in touch if you have ideas for improving the accessibility of the site or if you have any other questions – we’d like to hear from you.
Introduction to the site
The site has a main menu along the top of the page with seven key sections to explore.
Display contrast
By clicking on the Access icon in the top right corner of every page this will change the whole website to have a black background and lighter text colours. Clicking the button again will revert the colours back to standard.
Increasing access on different devices
Depending on what adjustments you prefer to make the web easier for you to use, there are changes you can make to your devices to increase access to our website, including:
- Speech output
- Magnifying the screen
- Making the mouse point bigger
- Slowing down the mouse speed
- Using the keyboard to move around a website
Go to the AbilityNet website for advice on making your device easier to use.
More info for access on different devices
For more detailed guidance on how to increase accessibility and change how your device or web browser works, we recommend the following websites:
Windows
For information about accessibility options using a Windows PC see Windows Accessibility features
Apple
For information about accessibility options using an Apple PC see Apple accessibility for OSX
On an iPhone or iPad
For information about accessibility options using an iPhone see Apple accessibility for ios
On an Android device
For information about accessibility options using an Android device see the Android accessibility help centre
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at Bath Preservation Trust
In 2022 we appointed an internal EDI Champion to review and enhance our EDI practices and to help guide and implement a robust policy to enhance our inclusivity for staff, visitors and other people we interact with as an organisation, both online and offline. This policy will cover Bath Preservation Trust as a parent organisation, plus our four museums: No.1 Royal Crescent, Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Beckford’s Tower and the Museum of Bath Architecture.
Our full EDI policy will be published here in due course. In the meantime here is a brief overview of our aims and ambitions with the new EDI policy.
Why EDI is important to us
Bath Preservation Trust (BPT) is committed to ensuring that as an employer, an organisation running museums and an active campaigning body, we address inequality and exclusion; advocate best practice and act as a role model.
We believe that everybody deserves to feel safe and welcome at No.1 Royal Crescent and our sister museums. We know from speaking to our staff and surveying our visitors that, on the whole, we are an open and inclusive organisation with an “inspiring” culture, but we would like to build further on this. By appointing an EDI Champion, we aim to review our current practises and hold ourselves to the highest standard. We want to feel secure in the knowledge that as an organisation we are doing everything we can to ensure that everyone has a positive experience with us.
How we approached the new policy
The EDI Champion has reviewed the existing EDI practises in place and pinpointed potential areas for improvement, such as identifying certain new training requirements and accessibility improvements. The EDI Champion has involved every department and stakeholder in the organisation in this process, to maximise available intel and consider all perspectives.
What’s next?
The EDI policy will be published here in due course. The EDI Champion will continue to embed the principles of the new policy at every level of the organisation from the trustees of our parent charity to the museum volunteers.
If you have any questions about EDI and our organisation in the meantime, please email [email protected].