Booth Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1874, by Edward Thomas Booth, the Booth Museum of Natural History is the second largest regional natural history museum in Britain. The museum houses Booth’s original collection of British birds, as well as a vast array of specimens including many rare, endangered and extinct species.
Access info:
- Accessible toilet
- Alternative accessible entrance at the rear of the building
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Venue Description:
This museum is aimed at the lost art of taxidermy and there are hundreds of Victorian stuffed birds, reptiles and moth-eaten animals!
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Address:
194 Dyke Road Brighton, BN1 5AA
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Phone:
01273 292 777
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Web:
www.booth.virtualmuseum.info
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Opening Times:
Mon- Sat 10am-5pm Sun 2-5pm Closed Thursdays, Good Friday.
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Getting There / Parking:
Buses 27 and 27A stop near the Booth Museum on Dyke Road.
There is pay-and-display parking on the opposite side of the road to the museum but no designated disabled bays.
The front entrance has several steps leading up to it. The handrail on each side of the steps runs out at the doorway which is a push door. There is no ramp.
The only accessible entrance is at the rear of the museum through the staff area, via the private driveway to the block of Flats next door, 'Fairways'. There is no parking there. It's interesting coming in that way through the back office, seeing exhibits that you would otherwise not see! The area to the front of the entrance has bollards to prevent parking/dropping off right outside the front.
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Getting Around / Facilities:
The foyer contains 2 steps to continue into the museum and there is a ramp here (but no handrail) to also allow access to the toilet which is fully accessible.
Staff are confident and are fully aware and sensitive to disability. The lighting of the museum respects the nature of the exhibits which require a very diffused, low-level of lighting.
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Additional Comments:
There is an audio loop. There are proposals to make a fully accessible side entrance at some time in the future. There are a few exhibits which are tactile and aimed at children e.g. fossils etc. There is an extensive egg collection. There is no information on audio tape but staff are happy to explain exhibits. Entry is free but donations are welcome! There is a park with children's playground and a cafe over the road opposite the museum.
Well worth a visit!
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Reviewed By:
Roy
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Review Date:
18/06/08, updated 3/3/2011 by Pappya
Published in
Attractions - Brighton
