Brading Roman Villa is housed in a modern building that is designed for safe and easy access for people of all ages and mobility.
The whole site and café are accessible by wheelchair, and there is one available for use from the front desk. There are three dedicated disabled spaces in the main car park.
From the car park, there is a smooth pavement that rises slightly on a gradient to the front door 40m from the car park. There are electric doors to gain entry to the front of the building.
Brading Roman Villa offer free entry entitlement for carers or support workers when accompanying a disabled visitor.
Exploring the Museum
The floor throughout the building is level, apart from one section inside the museum, where there is a ramp which takes you into a position overlooking the mosaics. All areas are accessible by wheelchair.
The villa has volunteer guides who provide an introduction to the villa for all visitors. Our volunteers have been trained on how to support all visitors and they are capable of adapting what they say and do to meet visitors’ needs once they are informed. The handrail is at a uniform height and can be used to guide visitors around the museum as well as indicating the shape of the rooms.
There are sensory models of the villa and the artefacts for visitors to handle. There are seats around the museum for visitors to use and once they have paid they can enter the museum as many times as they like during their visit.
The Café
Access is through double doors from the foyer entrance and assistance dogs on leads are very welcome. Orders are taken at the counter in the café. Food orders are served to the table and except on the busiest of days, it should be possible for the counter staff to carry drinks to the chosen table as well.
The floor is carpeted and the walls have a variety of paintings, these reduce noise bouncing off the walls, making the café a more peaceful place for everyone. By the café is a terrace with panoramic views of the whole of Sandown Bay. This area can be used by visitors with dogs.
Toilets
The disabled toilet is 10m from the café and also has a baby changing station. It is 3m by 2m and has fittings standard to a disabled toilet.
Assistance Dogs
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum.
Wheelchairs
A limited number of adult wheelchairs are available and may either be booked in advance by telephoning 01983 406223 or borrowed on the day by asking a member of staff at the front desk.