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At the National Media Museum, you can delve into the history of media. From the camera obscura of over 300 years ago, to the state-of-the-art electronic imaging of the future, the Museum tells the fascinating story of still and moving pictures.
The vast glazed atrium provides a level entrance to the Museum galleries, the café/restaurant and shop.
Access around the building is via the open plan main staircase or either of the two public lifts (one front, one central), both with audio announcements, Braille and/or raised buttons. There is no set route around the building, so the choice is yours as to where you start. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Floor levels and galleries are numbered to ease route finding, and large panel signage is used around the building.
It is possible to spend a whole day with us which could be tiring for some of our visitors. We have placed seating areas within all of our galleries, and there are three wheelchairs available for visitor use. We also have booster seats for use during film screenings and learning events.
All Front of House staff are trained in disability awareness and are always happy to help. Some of our staff are also trained in level 1 sign language.
If you require any further information about access in the Museum please contact the Museums Access Coordinator, Mandy Tennant on 01274 203359.
Some of the highlights of the Museum and gallery levels are:
Lower Ground Floor
The Kodak Gallery
The Kodak Gallery takes you on a journey through the history of popular photography, from the world's first photographs to today's digital snapshots. The Gallery includes "Pepper's Ghost", a bathroom that transforms at the push of a button into an amateur photographer's darkroom, designed at an accessible viewing height. There is also a recreation of the Edwardian Brighton Pier, where the snapshot camera reigned supreme.
Access to the Kodak Gallery is via stairs or either public lift.
Insight: Collections & Research Centre
This is where we care for one of the world’s greatest collections of photography, cinematography and television. With prior booking this area is accessible for public viewing, tours and research.
Access to Insight is via the lower ground floor by stairs or wheelchair lift. Toilet facilities are available, but they are not easy access facilities.
Ground Floor
The Foyer
The entrance to the Museum is a large open plan area with access via the front barrel doors. The Museum box office is to the left of the main entrance. If you enter the Museum from the car park at the rear, the foyer and box office are to your left. The box office counter is open plan, accessible for visitors who use wheelchairs, and has an induction loop fitted.
There are toilet facilities on this level, including easy access; all have baby changing facilities. From other levels, access to the foyer is via stairs or the front public lift.
Museum Shop
The Museum shop is situated in the foyer just behind the box office.
Intermission Café
Intermission Café is also situated on the ground floor between the box office and the rear exit. A varied menu is available throughout the day. There are two table heights and all seating is moveable.
Games Lounge
The Games Lounge is a brand new attraction giving visitors the chance to plug into the history of video-gaming, play classic, groundbreaking games in their original arcade or console formats, and discover the story behind a global phenomenon.
Asteroids, Manic Miner, Frogger and Street Fighter 2 - once the height of new gaming technology - were the forerunners of today's multi-billion pound industry of Playstations, Xboxes and Wiis. The Games Lounge includes these seminal games, many of them in authentic arcade cabinets. Visitors are able to play their way through the titles that helped video-gaming become one of the most successful entertainment industries in the world.
The Games Lounge includes an arcade portal designed to give wheelchair users access to many of the titles through a free simulator, and a ramp has been fitted in this gallery for ease of access.
IMAX
Prepare yourself for a truly eye-opening experience as you take your seat at the forefront of cinema technology. Let the five-storey high IMAX screen pull you into the heart of the action as you embark on some of the most fascinating adventures known to man.
All our standard 40-minute IMAX films are suitable for young age groups, but do not hesitate to ask if you have any viewing concerns.
Using IMAX DMR technology, 35mm films are digitally re-mastered into the giant IMAX format, creating a new way to experience blockbuster films. From The Dark Knight to Harry Potter, and Avatar to Toy Story, it’s an experience not to be missed!
To find out more about the IMAX call our Box Office on 0870 70 10 200 or visit www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/IMAX.
Advanced booking for all our cinemas is strongly recommended as some performances may sell out.
Access to the IMAX theatre is via stairs from the foyer (opposite the Games Lounge), and within the auditorium. An alternative level entrance is available for access users, but you must inform a member of staff if you require lift access as this entrance is only available if you are accompanied by an Usher. You may wish to allow extra time in your schedule during busy periods due to demand for the public lift.
We have nine wheelchair spaces and there are accompanying seats alongside with adjustable arms for the rest of your party, or visitors who wish to transfer.
There is a Williams Sound hearing system fitted in both IMAX and Cubby Broccoli theatres, and there is also a Sennheiser infra-red system in the IMAX theatre.
Pictureville Cinema
If you love film, you'll love Pictureville. With a full programme of new releases and classic films, comfortable seating and a sound system that's second to none, it is a must for any cinema fan.
Watch out for one of the legends of film history: Cinerama. During the 1950s and 1960s, Cinerama was the star attraction for millions of filmgoers. The enormous three projector 'wrap-around' screen engulfed the viewer. The National Media Museum is one of only two places in the world where you can re-live this experience.
The Museum also plays host to four annual film festivals: Bradford International Film Festival (March), Fantastic Films Weekend (June), Bite the Mango (September) and Bradford Animation Festival (November). Pick up a monthly Film Brochure, visit www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/film for more details, or call our box office on 0870 7010 200.
Pictureville has Audio Description and Dolby Screen Talk subtitling. Special subtitled screenings are programmed into the schedule, in which text is projected directly on to the screen so that deaf and/or hard of hearing viewers can follow the dialogue and other relevant sounds. Audio description sets the scene and details actions throughout the screening for blind and/or visually impaired viewers. Pictureville has a Sennheiser hearing and loop system fitted.
Pictureville is located in an annexe to the left of the foyer, past Intermission Café if you enter through the front barrel doors, or to your right if you enter via the rear car park. Access to Pictureville is via stairs or wheelchair lift, and there are wheelchair spaces in the auditorium. Toilet facilities are available, including easy access.
First Floor
Gallery One: Simon Roberts We English
This exhibition resulted from an English road trip in search of national identity and leisure activities. It will be displayed at the National Media Museum from 12 March - 5 September 2010.
During 2007 - 2008, British photographer Simon Roberts travelled the length and breadth of England with his family in a motorhome, photographing people playing, relaxing and revelling in the country's rich and varied landscape. Gathered together as We English, his works are an intriguing and lyrical exploration of the nation.
Simon's project reflects the strong heritage of British landscape and documentary photography, together with a complementary selection of photographs from the National Media Museum's Collection, including works by Roger Fenton, Tony Ray Jones and John Davies.
Cubby Broccoli Cinema
This multi-media theatre has a 100 seat capacity with spaces for wheelchair users and a ramped entrance/exit for ease of access. A Williams Sound hearing system is fitted in both Cubby Broccoli and IMAX theatres.
Access to the first floor is via stairs or either public lift.
Second Floor
Gallery Two: Robbie Cooper Immersion
The impact of spending time absorbed in images on television and computer screens is explored in Immersion. This exhibition will be displayed at the National Media Museum from 12 March - 5 September 2010.
Robbie Cooper, a photographer and video artist, has worked with volunteers over the past six years and recorded the many ways people use screen media to detach themselves from their immediate surroundings. His works examine the spread of the 'unreal' into daily life, and investigate contemporary relationships with visual technology.
Immersion provides an intimate and revealing insight into the motivations and reactions of people watching and engaging with various forms of digital imagery; from films and TV programmes to videogames and online virtual worlds.
Access to Gallery Two is via stairs or the front public lift.
Third Floor
Experience TV
Discover the secrets behind the camera in this interactive gallery dedicated to the past, present and future of television. This gallery is home to many of the original props from classic children’s TV, including Play School, The Wombles and Jim’ll Fix It. You can view John Logie Baird’s original apparatus, try your hand at reading the news, and find out how TV programmes are made.
TV Heaven
In TV Heaven, you’ll always find something interesting to watch, with over 900 programmes on the menu. You can flick through the best and worst of British television, from comedies, children’s shows and soaps, to memorable dramas and award-winning documentaries. Regular free screenings and discussions about selected programmes from the TV Heaven collection take place in the viewing room.
BBC Studio
Witness first hand how news is gathered and transmitted from the home of the BBC in Bradford.
Access to the third floor is via stairs or either public lift. There are toilet facilities on this level, including easy access.
Fourth Floor
The Magic Factory
The Magic Factory is a hands-on exploration of how light works. A treasure trove for children of all ages with a world of mirrors, lasers, sonar and satellite which will transport budding boffins from the depths of the ocean 'to infinity and beyond'! Experiments and games reveal the principles behind photography, film and television.
This gallery contains an exhibit with a flickering light; there are warning signs within the gallery.
Access to the Magic Factory is via stairs or the front public lift.
Fifth Floor
Animation Gallery
From Wallace & Gromit and Dangermouse, to Talos and The Brothers Quay, this gallery explores film and television animation, and features hundreds of well-known characters.
Families on Five
Art Cart and other family activities take place in our Families on Five area, which is located next to the Animation Gallery. There is a comfortable couch and a play area for little ones, low level tables and chairs, and plenty of worksheets and pencil crayons for children to get creative when there is no activity session.
Access to the fifth floor is via stairs or either public lift. There are toilet facilities on this level, including easy access.
Sixth Floor
Profiles Gallery
In this gallery you can explore the work of one of Britain’s most successful film producers, David Puttnam. Get close up to a range of major film awards for Chariots of Fire, including the Palme d’Or, the Emmy, the BAFTA and the Academy Award.
IMAX Projection Room
See the IMAX projectors in action and watch the projectionists prepare the next IMAX film to be shown; learn how the world's biggest film format works.
Access to the sixth floor is via stairs or the front public lift.
Seventh Floor
On Location
Our state of the art conference suite is situated on this level. Multimedia facilities (including a loop system) are available. For more information on hiring this facility, please contact our Corporate Events department on 01274 203351 / 01274 203354 or email events@nationalmediamuseum.org.uk.
Curriculum supporting workshops, lectures and talks and tours with associated packs regularly take place on this level and are available to book through our Education Department. Please phone Group Bookings on 0870 7010 201 for more information.
Access to the seventh floor (private level) is via stairs or the front public lift.