Access

General information

At RAMM we are committed to providing a welcoming and accessible museum, so everyone can have the opportunity to enjoy and explore our collections, changing exhibitions and events. This webpage provides an overall introduction to the range of resources in the museum which we hope will help you plan and make the most of your visit.

Our staff have received deaf and disability awareness training and are here to support you before and during your visit. If you require any further information or would like to share feedback on your experience, please contact our Museum Reception via:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01392 265969 (during opening hours. Please see below for opening times).

Museum opening times

We are open Tuesday 10.30am – 5pm

Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 5pm

We are closed bank holidays and Mondays

Getting inside

Entrance to RAMM is via Queen Street or the Garden Entrance.

You can reach the Garden Entrance via two accessible routes

  • via Castle Street, past Exeter Library, or
  • via Little Queen Street and Musgrave Row, which is level

Wheelchair users and people with mobility scooters, pushchairs and buggies can access the Garden Entrance using the ramp from the blue-badge parking area, or may use our lift at the Queen Street entrance.

Small vehicles, including minibuses, can also use the parking area to drop passengers.

Blue-badge parking

We have two parking spaces dedicated to visitors with a blue-badge. To reserve a space, please contact reception via email: [email protected] or call 01392 265960 during opening hours.

Once booked, museum parking permits can be collected from Garden Reception or printed at home upon request.

Planning your visit

Accessibility guide

Our  Accessibility Guide provides accurate measurements, descriptions and images of RAMM’s accessible features, helping you plan your visit with ease. This can be viewed online or downloaded as a word document. It is useful for visitors with a variety of access requirements.

Google street view

Digitally explore our galleries further using Google Street View. A great resource for visitors who like to know what to expect before visiting.

Visual Stories

Our Visual Stories allow visitors to know what to expect, with pictures and words. This resource has been designed for visitors with autism and their families. However, this might also benefit anyone who feels anxious before visiting. Our Visual Story of the entire museum can be found here. We also have a visual story for our temporary exhibition Artist Rooms: Bill Viloa which can be viewed here. You can also borrow a paper version from Garden Reception.

Personal Assistant Tickets

If a visitor requires an accompanying personal assistant, the personal assistant will be admitted to paying exhibitions and events free of charge. Please contact Reception on 01392 265960 to arrange a personal assistant ticket or just let us know if you are buying a ticket from Reception.

Access around the museum

Wheelchair access and hire

There are two lifts in the museum. There is level access on each floor with ample space to manoeuvre between displays. Some doors open automatically.

We have two wheelchairs that are free to hire during your visit. Please go to reception or ask a member of staff to borrow one.

Map of the Museum

A map of the museum can be collected at either entrance of the museum and throughout our galleries. The map provides a simple floorplan of the museum to help you navigate during your visit. A large print version can be borrowed from reception.

Accessible Toilets

There are accessible toilets on both levels of the museum.

The closest accessible Changing Place toilet is located in Princesshay shopping centre on the ground floor of St Stephen’s House at the back of Nationwide in Catherine Square, adjacent to Lloyd’s Lounge. Please click here to find a map (this will open on the Princesshay website).

Baby changing and feeding

There are baby change facilities on both levels of the museum. We welcome our visitors breastfeeding and bottle-feeding their babies. There are a few areas that you may feel more comfortable feeding your baby, such as our café, world culture book area and benches around the museum. In some cases, our temporary exhibitions prohibit food and drink in the area, so please check with a member of staff if you are unsure.

Working dogs

Trained and liveried assistance dogs are welcome at the museum. Our staff will be happy to provide drinking water for your dog.

Quieter times and areas

The museum is often quieter after 3pm during term time. Please note it is best to contact reception to see if we have any groups during the time you are hoping to visit.

If you need a quiet space, please let a member of staff know.

We also regularly run Relaxed Sessions for our temporary exhibitions, please see our What’s On page for our upcoming events.

Seating

We have folding chairs that can be hired from Reception or take advantage of our gallery seating. We also have a café where there is plenty of seating, where you can enjoy drinks, snacks and light lunches.

Accessibility Resources

Hearing Loops

There are hearing loops available at our Garden Reception, shop and in meeting rooms A and B. A portable loop is available and can be used throughout the museum for groups of up to three people.

Large Print Captions

You can collect a large print caption folder for each gallery on entry at Garden Reception, or in the individual galleries. You can also access close-up captions using your own mobile device.

A large print version of the museum map can also be borrowed from reception.

Videos with BSL

Our British Sign Language videos, with audio and subtitles, introduce RAMM, our services and key objects.

Join BSL video sensation Paul Valentine on a tour of the galleries – watch on your own device using the museum’s free Wi-Fi, or borrow a tablet from Garden Reception.

You can also learn more about some of RAMM’s most striking objects in our 17 key object videos.

Audio Guides

We have a range of audio guides available.

Treasures trail explores 16 iconic museum objects. Designed specifically for people with a visual impairment, but can be enjoyed by all. Created in partnership with Living Options Devon and the Exeter sound studio Sound Gallery.

Sound Journey is a collection of sound pieces that bring together ideas and creative responses to museum objects that help you look at them differently and playfully. Created in collaboration with sound artist Gemma Nash and our project partners: Magic Carpet, Pelican Project, CEDA and Learn to Live: 19-25.

Mindful Museum Audio Guide, created in collaboration with Devon Recovery Learning Community, encourages visitors to explore the museum as a slower and more mindful pace. This resource was created with students and tutors from the Devon Recovery Learning Community, a Recovery College of Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Easy Read guide

Our Easy Read guide clearly explains our exhibits, using images and short sentences. You can access the guide online here or can collect a paper copy from Garden Reception.

Ear Defenders

We have a number of ear defenders that can be borrowed for free. Ear defenders are ideal for visitors with Autism or sensory processing issues who are sensitive to noise and certain sounds. Ear defenders help to reduce these sounds and help visitors to not get overstimulated.

RAMM Bingo Cards

A collection of eight fun activity cards co-designed by local people with disabilities. The cards can be used by carers and personal assistants when supporting people with disabilities in visiting the museum, but are also suitable for any of our visitors who would like an extra activity to enhance their visit and with some playful exploration. They are available free of charge for any audience to enjoy at Queen Street and Garden Reception.