If you need any further details to help you prepare for your visit, or you would like a little extra support when visiting, please get in touch to discuss your needs.
Planning an accessible visit
We want your visit to run as smoothly as possible.
Accessible parking
There is an accessible parking bay in front of the museum for blue badge holders. There is currently no time restriction to this bay. The parking bay can be viewed on Google Maps Street View.
There are also a number of public pay and display car parks in Newark. The closest being Appletongate car park, located approximately 200m away from the National Civil War Centre. There are two accessible spaces available here with a 3 hour parking restriction on these bays.
Step-free and wheelchair access
The main galleries are on floors 1, 3 and 5.
There is step-free access to the building from the front and rear. Once inside, you can choose from steps and stairs or lifts to gain access to any part of the building.
Lifts
The lifts are big enough for most wheelchairs and smaller mobility scooters. We are able to lend you a wheelchair on request (two available).
To access floor 1 in the museum, you will have to turn your wheelchair at a 90 degree angle. The dimensions of the lift are 1500mm by 1400mm, the door width is 900mm.
If you are visiting the museum in a larger wheelchair and cannot manage the 90 degree turn in the lift, we have an access route which will take you through the back of our shop, around the back of the museum via a ramp, through our lovely courtyard and straight into floor 1. Please ask at the front desk and one of our friendly assistants will be available to guide you.
There is a platform lift to access Café Nineteen20. The dimensions of this lift are 1500mm by 1400mm, the door width is 900mm.
To look at the National Civil War Centre entrance, visit Google Maps.
Pushchairs
Pushchairs are welcome throughout most areas of the museum, or can be stored at the front desk where available.
Floor plan
Find images of our floor plan through the Bloomberg Connects app.
Quieter areas
We know the museum can sometimes get busy, and you might need a bit of space away from it all. If you or someone you’re visiting with might need somewhere quiet, or simply a little space to let off some steam, just have a chat with one of our team, either before your visit or when you arrive. They’ll make sure you know exactly where you can go if you need a break at any point.
Accessible toilets
In the museum, there is an accessible toilet on floor -1, with lift access from the museum.
Another accessible toilet is available in Café Nineteen20. This is located toward the Palace Theatre auditorium. Our café staff are available to show you where to go.
We do not have a Changing Places toilet on site. However, the nearest one is:
St Marks Shopping Centre
St Marks Place
Newark
NG24 1XT
St Marks Shopping Centre is around 300 metres away from the museum. Our welcome staff at the front desk can mark this on a map for you.
For blind and visually impaired visitors
In the 'The World Turned Upside Down' exhibition on Floor 3, 3D models of some objects are on display. These include:
- a posy ring
- the Rolleston Chalice
- the life mask of Oliver Cromwell
Feel free to touch these so that you can experience some of the details.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the building. Unfortunately, other dogs are not permitted inside the museum.
For deaf and hard of hearing visitors
A transcript is available for the Market Town video in our Newark galleries. Please ask at the front desk if you would like to use this on your visit.
We are also working on transcripts for all of the films in our cinema and will update this page when they are available.
For visitors with dementia
If you would like to discuss your visit with someone before you come to us, please contact us.
Many of the staff in our museum and café have received Dementia Friends training. They are happy to help you find your way around and enjoy your time with us.