We want everyone to feel welcome at Wheal Martyn, and we are always looking for new ways to improve the museum’s accessibility.

If you have access requirements, the below information should help you to make the most of your visit. If you would like more information, please call us on 01726 850362.

Before your visit

Please note that we are currently updating the Accessibility Guide following the opening of some new public spaces and exhibition areas. This new version will be available soon.

Our 3D Virtual Tour provides 360° interactive tour of the museum and site to help you plan your visit.

Our Accessibility Guide provides a detailed description of what you can expect to find at the museum, including images and accurate measurements. This is useful for visitors with a variety of access requirements. 

Our Visual Story provides a visual guide of what to expect at the museum through images and words. This allows visitors to familiarise themselves with Wheal Martyn before their visit. This guide is particularly useful for visitors with autism, anxiety and associated conditions. We also have an Easy Read Visual Story.

Our Sensory Map highlights some areas of the museum with sensory experiences that you may wish to be aware of ahead of your visit.

Getting in

Disabled parking is available close to the main entrance of the museum which is wheelchair accessible.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome at the museum on leads. 

Wheelchair access on site

Wheal Martyn is a historic site and some areas have limited access by nature. However, the Discovery Centre, shop and café are fully accessible and every effort has been made to make as many areas of the wider site as accessible as possible.

Please note that:

• We are set on a hillside
• There are uneven paths and steps around some of the outside trails
• Pit View is a half mile walk uphill, including several flights of steps and uneven paths
• Some areas of the site may be unavailable to the public at short notice – for example, Pit View will be off limits when blasting is taking place for safety reasons.

Carers

Carers are permitted free entry into the museum.

Accessible toilets

There are accessible toilets in the Atrium (main entrance).

BSL clips

You can hire a tablet to use while you explore Wheal Martyn in British Sign Language (BSL). Alternatively, view it on your own device here. 

Easy read guide

You can ask reception for a free easy read guide to borrow during your visit, or download your own copy here.

Quiet spaces

If you need to find somewhere quiet for any reason during your visit, there are numerous benches tucked away in quiet spots around our large outdoor site for you to take a moment in a calm environment. If you need any assistance, please do ask a member of the team.

Sensory bags

Explore Wheal Martyn with one of our sensory bags, which are designed especially for people with autism and learning difficulties.

Our access statement

Sensory Markers 

Our new sensory markers were installed by Zenna Tagney of Flookan, the Ceramic Hub in St Austell's Market House, using Cornish china clay. They include images of the five senses to highlight areas of Wheal Martyn's grounds that can be appreciated in different sensory ways - for example, sight and sound around the waterwheels and touch and sight for tools. 

These markers enable various audiences (including those with complex disabilities and sensory needs) to have  access to our museum's collections in a sensory rich way.