Warrington Museum & Art Gallery is on Bold Street in the Cultural Quarter of Warrington in a Grade II listed building that it shares with the town's Central Library.
Travel through time and around the world at Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, one of the oldest museums in the country. Opened in 1857, much of the quintessential character of the building has been preserved and its original glass cabinets are crammed with treasures from all around the world.
The permanent galleries feature a wealth of material on the natural world including Warrington’s very own dinosaur. Also popular are the local and social history galleries featuring new displays on the industries that shaped the town and a fascinating ‘Time Tunnel’ complete with hands on history activities for younger visitors. Popular exhibits include the beautifully decorated Egyptian painted coffin on Priest Paikhmennu from the temple of Amun in Thebes.
In addition to the permanent displays the museum provides an award-winning programme of events and temporary exhibitions. Recent shows have featured work by Banksy, Tracey Emin and Sam Taylor-Wood, and the museum runs free family-friendly craft activities in the school holidays.
Warrington Museum & Art Gallery provides an exciting schools programme on many themes, including Egyptians, toys from the past, and special early years sessions.
Guided tours are available – organised group visits by prior arrangement
Opening Times
Mon-Fri 10am-4:30pm
Sat 10am-4pm
We are closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Last admission 15 minutes before closing time
Access Statement
Introduction
Warrington Museum & Art Gallery is a fully accessible museum with an eclectic collection which reflects local history, natural history and world cultures. We also have a large collection of fine art and a growing collection of contemporary art. We have a diverse temporary exhibition programme. Our education department offers a number of workshops, outreach and loan boxes. We also provide guided tours, and weekend and school holiday activities which are drop-in or bookable.
Pre-Arrival
• Telephone calls are answered in person with the name of the attraction. Any queries are either answered immediately, or if more specialised, transferred to relevant staff members. Out of hours there is an answer phone facility, messages are dealt with as soon as possible.
• We have a professionally produced leaflet which is compliant with DDA in layout, font style and size. It is easy to read and use, with images which accurately reflect the attraction. It contains all pertinent information including contact details with an easy to follow map. It also has the website address.
• The website itself is easy to navigate, contains images of artefacts/photos/paintings from the collection and also up to date information on activities.
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
• Disabled parking is available outside the museum on Museum Street. There is a pay and display carpark at Pyramid on Museum St which is 2 min walk away and a large multi-storey carpark at Golden Square which is less than 5 minutes walk from the museum.
Main Entrance & Reception
• The Museum can be entered through the main museum doors on Bold Street or from Warrington Central Library which occupies the ground floor of our building. The Museum’s main door is automatic ( 81cm W). There is a lift just inside the main door which is fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act. The lift provides access to both the first and second floors of the museum (Door – 80cm W, interior – 1m 12 cm W, height of buttons from floor – 1m 2cm) .
• There are also stairs ( 22 to first floor, 10 to mid floor gallery , 7 to second floor) which are well lit ( 1m 27cm W, 19cm H), with handrails on both sides (9cm W). There is always a member of staff present on the first floor landing to provide any assistance required. .
Public Areas – General (Internal)
• The Museum occupies the first and second floors of the building, both floors are accessible via the lift. The lift has an audio commentary and an illuminated display panel. The doors are operated with a call button and they have an infra red sensor (see above for dimensions).
• There are 9 galleries with hard flooring and two which are carpeted. The first floor forms a circuit. The second floor consists of 4 upper galleries and a room between the floors which is accessible via a stairlift. The upper galleries consist of aisles 1m 2cm wide running around four sides of a central opening to the gallery beneath.
• The entrance, stairways and toilet areas are all well lit with uniform striplights and spotlights highlighting artwork. As it is sometimes necessary to lower lighting levels in the galleries to protect the collections on display, some of the galleries have lighting which is sympathetic to conservation needs. Seating is available in one of the galleries on the first floor and also in the WREN gallery.
Public Areas – WC
• The toilets are situated on the first floor of the museum half way around the circuit near to the shop. There are ladies toilets with 2 cubicles (1m 52cm x 82cm), the floor space is 3m 10cm x 1m 70 cm, and the entrance door is 73.5 cm W. There is a gents with 1 cubicle and 2 urinals. There is an adapted toilet with a door width of 94cm, there are wall mounted support rails which are 72cm high and 52 cm long. The floorspace is 2m 79 x 1m 48. There is a baby change table which is 73cm from the floor.
Cafe
• The WREN gallery on the first floor has enough seating for 16 people and 4 tables for use as a refreshment area. There is a hot drinks vending machine and a cold snacks vending machine in this space and visitors are allowed to bring in their own food to consume in this area.
Shop
• The WREN gallery has wall-mounted display cases offering local history publications and postcards for sale.
Attractions
• The Museum has permanent displays which have maintained their original character, this now practically unique method of display involves artefacts from floor to eye level along wall cabinets. The art galleries contain artwork hung at DDA regulation height. Staff members are always available to assist with any additional needs visitors may have. Signage is currently being brought up to date whist preserving the character of the museum.
