Access

The new lift is capable of carrying 4 wheelchair users and their companions

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Every floor of the gallery can be accessed via the lift. On the ground floor the lift is located to the left in the cafe

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The Changing Places facility can be found on the lower ground floor

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The free Family Activity Space is available for all to use and filled with books, art materials and activities

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Our front of house team are at the Welcome Desk and are available to provide any further information about access

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A sensory bag can be requested at the Welcome Desk for the duration of your visit

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Building Facilities

Welcome Area

As you enter the building, you will find the Welcome Desk to your right. Here, staff and volunteers will be happy to assist you. There is a BSL welcome video at the Welcome Desk. At the desk, there are also lockers to leave any bags or coats. The lockers are a pound each and need a coin to use. You can also pick up a sensory bag to borrow for your visit.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor, as well as a Changing Places facility and baby-change facility on the lower ground floor.

Changing Places Facility

A fully equipped Changing Places toilet facility is located on the lower ground floor, including changing table, hoist and wet room.

Family Activity Space

The Family Activity Space is a vibrant, interactive family friendly area full of creative activities. This space is free to enter.

Quiet Room

The Youngwood Room is a calm, quiet environment should you need time out during your visit. In the room there are beanbags, comfy chairs and audio for white noise or music if required. There is a dark tent and weighted blanket to aid calming and soothing. 

The room serves more than one purpose and therefore is a bookable space, however, we know that for some people booking in advance is not possible. You are welcome to turn up for your gallery visit and ask at the Welcome Desk if the Youngwood Room happens to be free. If it is, you can book it there and then.

To book the Youngwood Room for 1 or 2 hours, please contact helen.jacobs@rwa.org.uk with QUIET ROOM in the subject line stating your requested visit date and time.

British Sign Language (BSL) Welcome

Getting Around

The listed building is fully wheelchair accessible, with level access to the Shop and Cafe on the ground floor, and lift access to all Galleries and to our accessible Changing Places Facility on the lower floor. A manually operated wheelchair is also available to borrow during your visit.

Buggy and Mobility Scooter Parking

There is a designated area to leave buggies within the Cafe and padlocks are available at the Welcome Desk (deposit required). Mobility scooters may book to use the accessible parking space as detailed below in the Getting Here information.

Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs

The RWA welcomes guide and assistance dogs, but we regret that we cannot allow other dogs into the building. 

Accessible Tours

Accessible tours are available including;

• BSL Tours
• Described Tours
• Dementia-friendly Tours
• Bring Your Baby buggy tours

Please visit our What's On section for upcoming Accessible Tours.

We're Here to Help

The RWA staff and volunteer team are available to assist you during your visit. Please call the Welcome Desk on 0117 906 7632 for any specific requirements or accessibility questions. You can also download a copy of our Access statement available at the bottom of this page.

Information for our Visually Impaired Visitors

Please note that we offer large print copies of our gallery interpretation texts.

Those with visual impairments may benefit from downloading Smartify prior to their visit. This will allow you to access the interpretation on your phone, which may be configured for better legibility. When you arrive at the exhibition, simply hold your phone up to an artwork to read more about it. Please ask a member of staff or volunteer to show you where the Smartify labels are located.

Many exhibitions also have audio guides available through Smartify (please check the exhibition web page for audio guide availability).

Smartify also enables you to save your favourite artworks, allowing you to go back and look at them after your visit. Download the app today.

Getting Here

Accessible Parking

There is one accessible parking space at the RWA. This can be booked in advance of your visit by calling 0117 906 7632 or emailing info@rwa.org.uk and is subject to availability.

Minibus drop-offs

Groups who need to get as close as possible to the entrance may be dropped off on the forecourt, but please note this should be by prior appointment by contacting our Visitor Experience Manager on 0117 906 7602. Minibuses can then park using the limited on-street parking nearby (pay and display). Please note tickets are required for the exhibition.