Access information
You can download access information for Monkwearmouth Station Museum here.
Entrance Charges
It is free admission for everyone.
Car Parking
The Museum is on North Bridge Street at the north end of the Wearmouth Bridge. There is a small, free car park in front of the Museum with space for three vehicles, and one designated space for disabled drivers who are part of the blue badge scheme. The nearest car parks are at Sheepfolds (limited spaces), a 100m walk, the Stadium of Light Metro car park, a 500m walk and St Mary’s Way (pay and display), a 400m walk across the Wearmouth Bridge.
Public Transport Access Routes and Drop Off Points
The nearest Metro station is St Peter’s, a 100m walk and the nearest bus stops are at the Wheatsheaf, a 200m walk and Fawcett Street, a 600m walk.
There is a drop off and collection point for cars, taxi’s and coaches in the lay-by on North Bridge Street.
Building Entrance
The entrance to the Museum is located across the car park, which has a slight incline. There are two steps up to the entrance or there is a ramp to the right of the main doors. A set of power assisted doors operated by a push pad lead into the entrance hall of the Museum, reception desk and shop. A tactile Map for All is located in the entrance hall.
Getting Around
The Museum displays are all on the ground floor. The Special Exhibitions and Journeys galleries have gently sloping floors at their entrances. The doors to the Refreshments room and toilet corridor are power assisted, these are operated by push pads.
A lift and stairs provide access to the learning rooms on the first floor, these are for booked groups only. The lift must only be operated by a member of the Museum staff.
Seating
There is a selection of seating throughout the Museum where visitors can rest.
Public Telephone
The Museum phone can be used in an emergency or to book taxis for disabled people.
Gallery Plans
There is a tactile Map for All in the entrance hall. Large print and tactile with Braille text floor plans of the Museum are available on request.
Assistance Dogs
We welcome assistance dogs and can provide a bowl of water on request.
Induction Loops
There is a counter loop at the shop and induction loops in the learning rooms, Booking Office and Journeys Gallery.
Talking audio Guides and Listening Point
There is an audio presentation of evacuees’ experiences in World War II.
Displays, Exhibitions and Attractions
- The Special Exhibitions Gallery - each temporary exhibition has a large print guide available on site.
- The Journeys Gallery – films with subtitles and BSL interpretation explore the theme of journeys. There is an audio presentation of evacuees’ experiences in World War II.
- The Booking Office – an audio visual presentation on the life of the Station Master has subtitles and BSL interpretation.
- The Story of the Station - samples of building materials.
- The Wagon Shed - this new development houses two important railway vehicles.In the Covered Carriage Truck three films look at the history of carrying goods on the railways and one looks at the contemporary scene The films have subtitles and an option for British Sign Language (BSL).
Films and Interactive Displays
There are various interactives in all our galleries.
Special Exhibitions, Events and Learning Family Activities
Throughout the year, the Museum holds a wide variety of exhibitions, events and activities. For further information please contact the Museum.
Guided Tours for Groups
The Museum does not usually provide guided tours but if your group would like to have one please contact the Museum. Three weeks notice should be given.
Accessible Toilets/Baby Changing areas
A unisex accessible toilet with baby changing facilities is on the ground floor. There is a unisex accessible toilet on the first floor, (this is only available to groups using the learning rooms).
Shops and Cafés
The Museum has a vending machine for hot drinks and a small area with tables and chairs where you may eat you own food.
The shop sells gifts, toys, books and souvenirs with a railway theme.
Pre-visit Information
If you would like further information about how to get to the Museum and what it has, we do have pre-visit information available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and audio CD formats available to borrow. Please contact the Museum for further information.
We can produce a range of materials including leaflets and venue guides in various forms. Please contact the museum for further information.
If there is anything that we can do to make your visit more enjoyable please contact us, we will be happy to assist you.
Wheelchair Hire
We have a manual wheelchair available for use by visitors these can be pre-booked in advance of the day of your visit. There is no charge for this service.
Fire Alarms
The fire alarms give an audible tone and visual flashing light warning. The lift cannot be used in the event of a fire. If you are likely to need assistance to exit the building in the event of a fire alarm please tell a member of staff on your arrival.
Staff Training
All staff attend a programme of core training which includes customer care, diversity and disability awareness. They are here to help visitors enjoy the time they spend in our venues
If there is anything that we can do to make your visit more enjoyable please contact us, we will be happy to assist you.
Contact Us
* Monkwearmouth Station Museum
North Bridge Street
Sunderland
Tyne & Wear
SR5 1AP
' Telephone: (0191) 567 7075
Textphone: 18001 0191 567 7075
7 Fax: (0191) 510 9415
Email: monkwearmouth@twmuseums.org.uk Website: www.twmuseums.org.uk/monkwearmouth
Access Statement
We make every attempt to make the venue as accessible as possible but some aspects of the building and the nature of the exhibitions we show sometimes make it difficult to make everything fully accessible.
Here are some examples:
i) The Museum building is Grade 2* listed. Although the building has seen several changes over the years, the main structure of the building and some of the original features are protected which means it cannot be altered without the permission of English Heritage whose role it is to try whenever possible to preserve buildings in their original form. We were unable to change the steps beneath the portico, so ramped access has been provided.
ii) Many of our exhibits need to be protected from damage caused either accidentally by visitors or indeed by the environments in which they are displayed.
While many of our exhibits are displayed in cases we do try to put items on open display where the object is not at risk. However this is rarely possible.
There are other occasions when items on open display need to be protected and cannot be touched. In this instance you may find that there are some low slung barriers which will indicate how close you can get to something. Again if you require further assistance, please ask a member of staff but remember you will not be allowed to touch it.
Light levels in exhibitions of paintings and of costume and textiles need to be low. High lux levels will cause paintings and fabrics to fade over a period of time. If you need assistance, please ask a member of staff.