Access

Everyone is welcome at Watts Gallery - Artists' Village.

Our vision is Art for All by All. It's important to us to be as accessible as possible. Our team will do whatever we can to ensure that you have an enjoyable visit. Please note that our site consists of historic buildings within a natural landscape, and some architectural and environmental factors could pose challenges for visitors. Please call 01483 810235 before your visit so we can ensure your requirements are met.

Essential companions and carers receive free entry to our site when accompanying a paying visitor with access needs.

Tickets can be bought on the day or online in advance.

A photo of three people sat at a table working with clay wearing masks putting their thumbs up

Getting here

Free parking including Blue Badge spaces are available at Watts Gallery - Artists' Village until 5.30pm each day.

There are car parks on both sides of our site, at Watts Gallery and Limnerslease: Artists' Home, follow the parking signs on your arrival. There is a short walk of approximately five minutes between the two sides of our site.

Please note that there is a short uphill walk to Limnerslease. Visitors with access needs can be dropped off at the top of the road before parking, please ask at the Visitor Centre for more information.

Accessibility around our site

Borrow a wheelchair

Wheelchairs are available on request for your visit. Please contact us on 01483 810235 or info@wattsgallery.org.uk to arrange.

Guide, assistance and companion animals

We welcome service or support dogs, including those in training. Dogs must be kept with you at all times.

Water and Scoop's Ice Cream for Dogs is available in our Tea Shop with outdoor seating.

Find out more about visiting with your dog.

Induction loops

An induction loop is available in Watts Gallery.

Lifts and access

Watts Gallery, Limnerslease, our Tea Shop and Shop are fully accessible. There are lifts in both Watts Gallery and Limnerslease: Artists' Home.

Due to the nature of our historic site, we regret that Watts Contemporary Gallery, KD Fine Art and Watts Cemetery Chapel are not currently wheelchair accessible.

Watts Contemporary Gallery artworks can be viewed online, we also have a virtual tour of Watts Cemetery Chapel.

Quieter times

If you prefer to enjoy art in a quiet environment, we advise you to visit on weekday afternoons, outside of school holidays.

Seating

Folding portable stools are available for use in Watts Gallery and Limnerslease: Artists' Home. Benches are also located across our site.

Toilets

Accessible toilets are located throughout our site in the Tea Shop, Watts Gallery and Limnerslease: Artists' Home.

Our toilets in Watts Gallery and Limnerslease: Artists' Home are gender neutral.

See our map for toilet locations.

We regret that we do not yet have a Changing Places facility.

Visual story and sensory information

We have a Visual Story available for download, you can also visit our Access guide for more access information.

Accessibility resources

Audio guides

Audio tours are available on the Smartify app. Smartify is a free museum app that allows you to scan artworks and access audio tours on your phone.

Smartify is available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. We recommend you download the app before your visit. We also recommend bringing headphones or a personal hearing loop with you.

Smartify labels with QR codes are located in various places in our galleries. You can scan these QR codes with your phone to listen to our Smartify audio tours.

Please ask a member of our team if you need help with Smartify.

You can also access our Smartify tours from home.

British Sign Language video tour

Our British Sign Language video tour includes your arrival at Watts Gallery - Artists' Village, as well as an introduction to our Historic Galleries.

Large print guides and magnifying glasses

Large print guides are available in our galleries and exhibitions. Magnifying glasses are also available on request.

Learning resources

Our Learning resources page allows you access to digital resources and at-home activities wherever you are.

Object handling

In our Sculpture Gallery we have a touch wall. You can touch 3D models in different materials, including terracotta, plaster, polymer print, bronze and rubber.

Larger 3D printed models of some of our collection are available on request. Please ask a member of our team. These models include a selection of George Frederic Watts's sculptures.

A model version of Watts Cemetery Chapel is touchable in Limnerslease: Artists' Home.