To help you plan your visit you can find information about all our facilities and who to contact if you need to know more.
General Access
The Higgins Bedford has step free access to all levels. There are three wheelchair-accessible toilets. Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs and assistance dogs are all very welcome in the museum. If you’re attending a talk, tour or other ticketed event with a carer or support worker, the carer or support worker will not be charged. For our holiday family activities, tickets are for participating children only.
Disabled Parking
There are four parking spaces at the entrance of the art gallery and museum for visitors with Accessible Parking Permits or Blue Badges. Find out more about the Blue Badge Scheme here > https://www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking/disabled-people-parking-bays/
Find out more about parking when visiting Bedford here > https://www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking/
Wheelchair Users
There are two (adult) wheelchairs available to borrow. Ask a member of staff at reception if you would like assistance. The galleries are spacious and well-lit with displays at different heights.
D/deaf and Hard of Hearing Visitors
Our reception areas are equipped with induction loops, which correspond to the 'T' position on most hearing aids. There are also induction loops in our meeting rooms, activity rooms and in the Castle Room. A portable loop is available for use for talks, tours, school groups and special events. We are working with Access Bedford to make more of our events accessible – keep an eye on the website or Facebook page for news of upcoming BSL talks, tours and events.
Blind and Partially Sighted Visitors
Large print captions are available for our temporary exhibitions.
Families with Members with Autistic Spectrum Conditions
We have been working with Autism Bedford on an Autism Friendly Guide to The Higgins Bedford. Pick up a copy at reception or download it here >
For Families and Young Children
There is a baby-change facility on the ground floor which is separate to both the female and male toilets.