London Canal Museum, 12/13 New Wharf Road, Islington, London N1 9RT Paid entry

Details

London Canal Museum

Accessibility

This is one of London’s most enjoyable museums. An asset that makes it so enjoyable is its 100% commitment to accessibility. There are many and varied ways in which this commitment is shown and they are here listed.

The museum is well provided for if your mobility is impaired. Access is level, the floor surfaces are firm, and there are lift alternatives to all staircases. If you prefer to use the stairs and can do so, there are handrails on both sides of every staircase. Both the main entrance doors and the door to the wharf are power operated and can easily be worked by pressing a button. The main entrance doors are usually automatic in operation but for reasons of security there are times when they are opened by staff to allow entry.

All the taps in all the toilets are lever operated and easy to use for visitors who cannot grip a knob. All toilets offer warm air hand dryers. Mobility-impaired visitors are welcome to use the disabled visitors' toilet.

Chairs are available on both floors if you need to rest.

Hearing Impaired visitors have their own page of detailed information. Deaf and hearing-impaired visitors can enjoy all of the exhibitions without difficulty. A British Sign Language introduction is available on the page.

Blind and visually impaired visitors have their own page of detailed information

We have a fantastic audio tour, designed specially for the visually-impaired visitor.

Learning Disabilities

It is our policy to offer three levels of explanation:

Introduction text, in simple language

Second level text, with more detail but nonetheless explaining things in plain language

Third level text, providing a good deal more detail for those who wish to find out much more about the subject

The above has been implemented on the ground floor and for the Horse Power exhibition on the first floor. Some older exhibitions do not follow this pattern. Much of the museum is appreciated visually and will appeal to everyone irrespective of intellectual ability.

Accessible Aids:

Accessible lift

All routes suitable for limited mobility users

All routes suitable for wheelchair users

All routes with tactile features for visually impaired users

Effective lighting throughout for visually impaired users

Seating for limited mobility users along routes

Some routes with tactile features for visually impaired users

Steps with handrail within building

Access into the Building:

Automatic doors

Flat routes from parking area to entrance

Full, non-assisted wheelchair access

Ramps with handrails to entrance

Accessible Bathroom Facilities

Designated wheelchair-accessible public toilet

Some toilets with handrails

Accessible Communication Facilities

Audible alarm system

Clear signage (colour contrast, large letters or pictograms)

Films or information touch screens have visual/audible subtitles

Hearing loop system

Information available in audio format

Information available in large print

Visual alarm system

Accessible Parking Facilities

Blue badge parking available

Drop-off point for guests available outside main entrance

Accessible Venue Facilities

Assistance dogs welcome

Emergency evacuation procedures for guests with disabilities

Level access, ramp or lift to the shop

Staff available to assist

Staff disability awareness trained

Wheelchairs available free of charge

Additional Accessible Facilities

Level access, ramp or lift from entrance to reception

Level access, ramp or lift to garden

Level access, ramp or lift to information point

Level access, ramp or lift to ticket issuing point

Low payment counters

Low reception or information counters

Portable chip and pin machines

Brief Description

Overlooking the historic Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross. Housed in a handsome brown-bricked  1862-63 former ice warehouse. This was built by Victorian Ice Cream mogul, Carlo Gatti and became a museum in 1992. It describes the people, boats, trade and wildlife of the capital’s impressive canal system, plus a narrowboat that can be explored on the neighbouring wharf. Popular are exhibits about working canal horses. One area also displays the distinctive colourful canal art that decorates narrowboats in the eye-catching Roses and Castles style.

There is a major feature on Carlo Gatti and his trade. It details the huge nineteenth century trade in ice from Norway and its role in the making of Carlo’s ice cream. Visitors can see one of the two remaining ice wells – a Victorian masterwork.

There are regular Thursday and Saturday boat trips through the 1820’s Islington Tunnel. Disabled people – other than wheelchair users – can take these trips.

Address:

12/13 New Wharf Road, Islington, London N1 9RT

Email:

Via website: https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/

Phone:

0207 713 0836

Website:

https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/

Directions: 

The Museum is five minutes walk from London’s best-connected public transport interchange at King’s Cross/St Pancras. The nearest car park is at St Pancras, opposite King’s Cross station. There are 315 spaces and it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can pre-book London King’s Cross parking online.

The venue is within the London Congestion Charge zone. See map for details: https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/congestion-charge?intcmp=40404

To help improve air quality, an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) now operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year within the same area of central London as the Congestion Charge. Most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone. ULEZ specifications can be accessed via the TFL website.

Transport: :

Journey planning information is available at Transport For London on 0343 222 1234 (Textphone 0800 112 3456). For further details on accessible services please see the website: https://tfl.gov.uk/

Linked to several major rail networks, including Eurostar. Six underground lines call at the interchange – Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, There’s an easy walk to the Museum from the interchange aided by prominent signage. Euston Station is also close by.

"14 Bus services serve King’s Cross/St Pancras: 10,17,30,45,46,59,63,73,91,205,214,259,390,410"

Opening Times

See https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/visit/admission.htm

Amenities:

Hot Drinks Vending Machine. Cold Drinks and Ice Cream on sale.  Kings Cross station has plenty of places to purchase food and drink, including cafes, bars, kiosks, restaurants, delicatessens and shops. Immediately to the east and south of the station's main entrance are branches of McDonald's takeaway food shop, and also a Burger King takeaway food shop, and on Gray's Inn Road a branch of Subway takeaway food shop. Just north-east of the station, on the western side of the one-way part of Caledonian Road is a local Tesco supermarket, where a range of food and groceries can be purchased.