We want visiting the museum to be as simple and welcoming as possible for everyone!
Getting to the museum
The museum is just a short walk from the city centre. There are lots of car parking spaces nearby.
Our building
The museum is in an old Police, Fire, and Ambulance Station. Outside, there’s a roundabout, pavements, flowers by the road, and a cycle lane. Go through the blue door on the left to get inside.
Museum entrance
When you walk into the museum, you’ll see our reception desk. You can buy tickets there and ask any questions. Our friendly staff are always happy to help!
Sensory backpacks
If needed, you can borrow a sensory backpack, a sensory map, or a folding chair at the entrance.
Staff
Our friendly staff and volunteers are here to help. Look for their museum name badge.
Café
Our café has a few different rooms. If you come in through the museum entrance, you’ll see the counter first. There are seats downstairs and two areas upstairs, but the upstairs isn’t always open. You’re welcome to bring your own food and eat it in our café!
Police Cells
Our police cells are old and can feel a bit chilly. When you go in, you’ll see a small display about how people were ‘booked in’ before heading down the corridor. The first door is locked, but the others are open and have different exhibitions inside. There are lights, sounds, videos playing and some smells.
Police Gallery
This exhibition is a big space with police cars, motorbikes, and displays. You can sit in the back of our Land Rover, try on uniforms, and watch old videos to see what it was like to be a police officer!
Cobbled Yard
This space is usually our Ambulance Exhibition, but we also use it for special events. The lights are kept low, and the floor is a bit bumpy because of the old cobbles. There’s also a big video projection with sound.
Toilets (Ground floor and First floor)
Our ground floor toilets are at the back of the Cobbled Yard. There’s a Male toilet, a Female toilet, and an Accessible toilet with baby changing facilities. On the first floor, there’s also a unisex toilet with baby changing facilities.
Outdoor Zone
You can get to this area from the back of the Cobbled Yard, just to the right of the toilets. It’s an enclosed outdoor space with several vehicles, including our massive lifeboat.
WWII and The Blitz
This exhibition takes you back to the 1940s. With lights and sounds, it shows what life was like back then. You can sit in a wartime fire engine and an air raid shelter. If you’d rather skip this part, you can go back through the Cobbled Yard instead.
The Engine House
This area has fire engines, display cabinets, and uniforms to try on. It also has stable doors and a model horse called Totley. The exhibition is on three levels with steps. You can use the lift via the Cobbled Yard if you are in the lower parts of this room when you are ready to go upstairs. You might hear old street sounds playing here too!
Upper floors
The stairs to the upper floors are between the Engine House and the Cobbled Yard. Across from the stairs is the old fire pole. If you need the lift, it’s through the doors into the Engine House.
Lift
You can use a platform lift to travel between the Ground, First and Second floors. The walls stay still while the platform you stand on moves up and down when you press and hold the buttons to use the lift. There is no lift to access the upper level of the Café.
For King and Country
On the first floor, turn right to visit our World War I exhibition, 'For King and Country.' It’s set in a replica dugout with uneven floors, dim lighting, and background sounds. There are fun, interactive activities like smell, touch, try on, lift, and even crawl through!
Event Space
To the right of the main staircase is our Event Space. It’s used for events and may not always be open. Schools and groups often use it for lunch.
Fiery Blaze to Fire Brigades
This exhibition explores the beginnings of the fire service. It has uniforms to try on, puzzles to solve, blocks to build, and "find me" cards to play. A video of Victorian fire engines with sound is playing in the background!
Inspiration Station
This area is at the end of the corridor near the 'Fiery Blaze to Fire Brigades' exhibition. It’s often used for school workshops and activities, so it’s not always open to the public.
Air Ambulance exhibition
On the second floor, you’ll see the top of the 'Pole Drop.' Start on the left with our Air Ambulance exhibition. Try on uniforms, solve puzzles, and dispatch the helicopter with 999 calls in a dark, red-lit space.
Second floor exhibitions
Explore the RNLI, Mountain Rescue, and a Road Traffic Incident display with a crashed car and fire engine to sit in. The car crash is dark with lights, sounds, and smoke. Don’t miss the police motorbike with flashing lights!
The Bedroom
Near the main staircase, check out the small room on the right. It’s a glimpse of the 22 bedrooms where firemen once lived.
Coastguard exhibition
This exhibition explores the Coastguard’s history, role today, and seaside safety tips. Try on uniforms, tackle training challenges, and sit in our wooden rowing boat. It’s bright with seaside sounds in the background.
Gift Shop and Exit
Before you leave, stop by our Gift Shop for a souvenir. Don’t forget to return any borrowed sensory backpacks or folding chairs. We hope to see you again soon!
Museum map
Sensory map of the museum
