Accessibility information

It is free admission for everyone.

The Gallery is situated on Prince Consort Road, close to Gateshead Central Library. 

There is free parking with a 2 hour limit outside the Gallery. There is one Blue Badge parking space directly outside the Gallery.

The Shipley Art Gallery is a twenty minute walk from Gateshead interchange for Metro and bus services, in the direction of Saltwell Park. 

The Gallery is also on several bus routes, stopping opposite the Gallery and a five minute walk around the corner to Old Durham Road. 

For more information on public transport telephone the NEXUS traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit the traveline website. 

The nearest drop-off point by taxi, dial-a-ride, car or coach is on Prince Consort Road, directly outside the Gallery.

There are four steps to the main entrance at the front of the Gallery. To the left on the main entrance, on the side of the building, there is a 10 metre long ramp to an automatic door leading to the reception and shop area. Once at the top of the ramp there is level access door to the shop, reception and galleries.

There is level access around the Gallery. Should visitors need to access the lower ground floor (for instance to take part in a workshop), this is accessible via a staircase but can also be reached by wheelchairs around the side of the building. Please speak to a member of staff on the front desk if you require this access.

There is seating available in each of the galleries. 

The Gallery phone on the reception desk can be used in an emergency or to book taxis for disabled people.

We welcome assistance dogs. The front desk can provide a bowl of water.

The Shipley does not have counter loops or induction loops. However a temporary loop can be arranged if we have advanced warning for meetings. Please contact us by telephoning (0191) 477 1495 or by emailing info@shipleyatrtgallery.org.uk

There are no audio guides or listening points in our galleries.

Large print guides are available for the ‘Designs for Life’ gallery. Also in ‘Designs for Life’ there are a number of films exploring artists and their techniques. These have audio points and captions.

Braille versions of text or captions from any of the above can be provided upon request.

There are various interactives in the galleries. These include computer interactives and films. A session with additional handling materials can be provided upon request.

Throughout the year, the Gallery holds a wide variety of changing exhibitions, events and activities. For further information please contact the Gallery.

For more organised workshops and classes, please visit our What's On page.

The Gallery does not provide regular guided tours but if your group would like to have one please contact the Gallery. Three weeks notice should be given. Please contact us by telephoning (0191) 477 1495 or by emailing info@shipleyatrtgallery.org.uk.

There are standard accessible toilets on the ground floor of the Gallery, on either side of the main entrance.
Both toilets have baby changing facilities.

The nearest Changing Places toilet is at Saltwell Park Play Area, East Park Road, Gateshead, NE9 5AX which is a 10 minute walk from the Gallery. 

Breastfeeding is welcomed throughout the gallery. 

The Shipley shop contains a range of gifts, books and jewellery for all ages and budgets.

There is not a café facility at the gallery.

A manual wheelchair is available on request from the main reception/shop. There is no charge/deposit for this service.

The fire alarms give an audible bell warning. There is an evac-chair to assist disabled people to exit the building through the rear basement level if required. All fire exits are clearly signposted. If you are likely to need assistance to exit the building in the event of a fire alarm please tell a member of staff on your arrival.

All staff attend a programme of core training which includes customer care, diversity and disability awareness. They are here to help visitors enjoy the time they spend in our venues

If there is anything that we can do to make your visit more enjoyable please contact us, we will be happy to assist you.

Although we make every attempt to make the venue as accessible as possible, aspects of the building and the nature of the exhibitions we show sometimes make it difficult to make everything fully accessible.

Here are some examples:

i) The Gallery building is Grade 2 listed. The main structure of the building and some of the original fixtures and fittings (ie doors) are protected which means it cannot be altered without the permission of English Heritage, whose role it is to try whenever possible to preserve buildings in their original form.

For example flat street level entrance into the Gallery could only be achieved through the building of a ramp extension rather than altering the stepped entrance to the original building which we were not allowed to do.

ii) Many of our exhibits need to be protected from damage caused either accidentally by visitors or indeed by the environments in which they are displayed.

While many of our exhibits are displayed in cases we do try to put items on open display where the object is not at risk. However this is not always possible.

Where items are on open display it is important that the ambient relative humidity and temperature of the gallery is maintained and at a constant level. This means that doors leading into and out of the building will need to be closed. The door at the top of the ramp is automatic and will open on approach. Should the door not open widely enough for you to pass through please ring the bell by the door and a member of staff will be on hand to increase the width of the opening manually.

There are other occasions when items on open display need to be protected and cannot be touched. In this instance you may find that there are some low slung barriers which will indicate how close you can get to something. Again if you require further assistance, please ask a member of staff but remember you will not be allowed to touch it.

Light levels in exhibitions of paintings and of costume and textiles need to be low. High lux levels will cause paintings and fabrics to fade over a period of time. If you need assistance, please ask a member of staff.