Three wheelchairs are available to reserve for free. Bookings should be made at least 24 hours before visiting.

To book call +44 (0)1736 791 177

Tate St Ives

There is one main entrance to the gallery. If you require a disabled car parking space, please see the Accessible car parking section of this page.

• There is a ramp into the main entrance from Porthmeor Beach.
• A flight of steps with a handrail
• From inside the building, there is lift access and level access to most areas of the gallery.

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

Wheelchair and buggy access to the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is limited and requires assistance.

The lower floor of the museum is currently not accessible by wheelchair, however a handbook including photographs and detailed description of this space is available to support your visit.

Call +44 (0)173 679 6226 in advance to arrange your visit.

Information desk

The Information desk at Tate St Ives is located three metres away from the front of the building up an access ramp. Staff are happy to help with any questions you have about the artworks, building and facilities.

• There is level access to the Information desk from the main entrance.
• Lighting levels are generally bright but can be lower in some exhibition spaces, staff will be happy to advise.
• Seating is available in the circular entrance area, within the building and gallery spaces.

Toilets

A fully accessible Changing Places toilet is located close to Gallery 1. It has a height-adjustable changing bench and hoist. There is another accessible toilet close to Gallery 6.

Baby changing facilities

• The Parent and Baby Room is on the third floor between Gallery 3 and 4. It can accommodate a pushchair.
• There are also baby changing facilities in the main male and female toilets.

Lift

The lifts at Tate St Ives are suitable for wheelchair users. They give access to all floors at the gallery.

Cloakroom

Coat hooks can be used for free or there are coin-operated lockers at our entrance. Bags and items larger than cabin bag size (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) are not permitted in the building.

Seating

There are seating places in the galleries and foyers. Folding stools and chairs are available for use at any time.

You’ll find the stools and chairs in different locations in the building and can ask a member of staff if you need one bringing to you.

We welcome guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs in the gallery. Drinking bowls are available – just ask a member of staff.

To help plan your visit to Tate St Ives, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information of what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.

When you get to the gallery, ear defenders can be borrowed from the information desk. An enhanced cleaning regime is in place.

Loud noises, flashing lights, smoke effects, and strobe lighting feature in some artworks.

For more information before your visit contact us on:

• Email visiting.stives@tate.org.uk
• Call +44 (0)173 679 6226

Our phone line supports the use of speech recognition apps

Audio introduction

This 10 min introduction describes the architecture, layout and gives a brief taste of the exhibitions.
With thanks to Art Fund and VocalEyes.

Listen to the introduction here

Guide dogs

We welcome guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance animals in the gallery. Drinking bowls are available – just ask a member of staff.

Talking Art

Talking Art sessions run throughout the year at Tate St Ives, designed for visitors who are blind or partially sighted and their friends. They provide detailed spoken descriptions of selected works on display in the changing exhibition, (often which can't be included in touch tours) alongside making activities.

Touch Tours

Available daily at Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Advance booking essential. An opportunity for blind or partially sighted visitors to touch selected sculptures from Tate Collection displays. Accompanied by a Touch Tour Guide, and wearing sculpture conservation gloves, participants are supported to touch and discuss the composition, materials, and histories of selected artworks on display in Modern Conversations at Tate St Ives, and at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Hearing loops

Hearing loops are fitted at the Information desks at Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Hearing loops are also available on most talks and gallery tours.

BSL talks

BSL interpretation is offered where possible. View upcoming access events at Tate St Ives.

The concessions rate applies to senior citizens, students, job seekers and disabled visitors (companion is free).

Those 18 and under can enter the galleries for free.

Communication cards provide a means of visual, or nonverbal, communication.

You can use our communication cards to ask for directions to facilities in the gallery. These include toilet, café, seating, shop, quiet room, and exit. Show one of the cards to a member of Tate staff if you need to be shown to one of these places.

You can download these cards and print at home or save as a PDF on your portable device. There are two colour versions, with white or yellow background. Use whichever version you find easiest to read.

• Print at home communication cards (white) 36.22 Kb
• Print at home communication cards (yellow) 35.96 Kb
• Digital communication cards (white) 36.65 Kb
• Digital communication cards (yellow) 39.41 Kb

Tate is grateful to Anna Farley who initiated and championed the development of these communication cards. Anna is an autistic artist who makes work exploring her autism, UK disability culture and inclusion.

Please find the accessibility statement for our website here

For:

• general information to plan your visit
• wheelchair reservations
• accessible car park reservations
• membership and ticketing services

Email visiting.stives@tate.org.uk
Call +44 (0)173 679 6226

Please leave us a comment about your visit or your experience of our website. We want to make sure that all our galleries are welcoming and accessible, your feedback will help us to improve
this.

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