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. Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs and assistance dogs are all very welcome in the museum.
If you are 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
Limited parking is available in front of the courtyard entrance to the museum for visitors with limited mobility, Accessible Parking Permits or Blue Badges. The car park gate is often shut in order to restrict unauthorised parking. Please contact us ahdead of your visit or phone reception on 01234 718185 in advance or on arrival so that the gate can be opened for you.
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, please contact us ahead of your visit if you would like to book one.
There are two wheelchair-accessible toilets in the museum and one in The Higgins Pantry. The galleries are spacious and well-lit with displays at different heights.
D/deaf and Hard of Hearing Visitors
Reception areas, meeting and activity rooms are equipped with induction loops which correspond to the T position on most hearing aids.
Blind and Partially Sighted Visitors
Large print captions for temporary exhibitions are available on request at reception. QR codes are available in soem of the galleries to read captions online.
Families with Members with Autistic Spectrum Conditions
An Autism Friendly Guide on how to get to the museum is available to download here >
For Families and Young Children
There is a baby-change facility on the ground floor.
Changing Places Toilet
A toilet providing sanitary accommodation for people with multiple and complex disabilities, including an adult-sized changing bench and hoist, is located at the end of the Settlement Gallery.