Access Statement

Plas Glyn y Weddw Access Statement, March 2024

Plas Glyn y Weddw is a popular arts centre which is open to the public 7 days a week between 9.30 and 5pm. The centre attracts over 140,000 visitors annually.

Through a full program of contemporary and historical exhibitions, events and activities, we try to offer something that interests everyone.

We are committed to ensuring that full access is available to people of all ages and abilities. Facilitating access and providing clear signs and directions is a priority for us.

There is full disabled access to all exhibition spaces including the craft shop, the cafe, and the outdoor theatre. Part of the Winllan woodland footpath is also suitable for wheelchair users.

Plas Glyn y Weddw is located in Llanbedrog, between Pwllheli and Abersoch on the Llŷn Peninsula, you must follow the A499 from Pwllheli turning left at the Llanbedrog Service Station following the road towards the beach, turning left past the church, then right opposite the beach car park. There are brown road signs on the signposts on the A499 to guide you to the Plas.

It is possible to take bus 17a from Pwllheli/Aberdaron, or bus 18 from Abersoch to visit the Plas. You will need to get off the bus either near Llanbedrog Service Station or near the Glyn y Weddw public house and walk to the Plas.

The Llŷn Flexi Bus can be booked by calling 03002340300 or by downloading the app from the website https://www.bwsarfordirllyn.co...

The postcode of Plas Glyn y Weddw is LL53 7TT.

You can contact the Plas by emailing post@oriel.org.uk, telephone number 01758 740 763.

Parking:

Parking provision for blue badge holders is behind the café, follow the directional sign. Blue badge holders must also pay to park, there is free parking for a specific time, please read parking tariff sign carefully or enquire at the reception desk where staff members will be available to assist.

Please note: the parking provision at Plas Glyn y Weddw is administered by Parking Eye, the instructions must be followed, and parking is free for a specified period only. You will have to enter the vehicle number in the machine and pay the parking fee if you stay longer than the period when free parking is allowed. If you are unsure, please ask a member of staff at the reception desk.

The main car park is open 24 hours a day and the same rules and parking fees apply as described above for the disabled parking.

Access to the Plas: The main entrance is at the front of the building but there are steps leading to it from the road. There are two wheelchair accessible entrances to the back of the building, the door leading to the rear of the cafe is an automatic one, please press to open button on your right.

The ground floor of the Plas including the cafe are on the same level, and as a result is suitable for wheelchair users.

A lift is available for access to the first floor of the gallery, and all rooms/exhibition spaces on the first floor are suitable for wheelchair users.

Support animals:

Assistance dogs are welcome in the gallery, shop and cafe.

Toilets

The Disabled Toilet is located in the new cafe. There are all also wide and accessible cubicles in both the gents and ladies toilets with outward opening doors.

Wheelchair:

A wheelchair is available to borrow, please ask for it at reception. It is always ensured that there are 1.2 meter wide paths around all the exhibits, the shop and the cafe. The furniture in the cafe can be moved if necessary.

The Reception:

The main reception desk is located in the hall, close to the entrances, the shop and the cafe. A member of staff is present at reception throughout the time that the gallery is open, and is available to provide any necessary help or assistance.

If you need to reach any items that may be out of reach in the shop or any of the galleries, ask at reception and a member of staff will be more than happy to reach for it.

Large print:

If you need to print any information about artists or exhibitors in larger print than what is available, please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff at reception.

Light:

There is good light in every space that is open to the public, less bright light is used if there are special requirements for work.

Seats:

Benches and chairs are scattered around the spaces along with a sofa in front of the fireplace.

The garden:

There is wheelchair access to the outdoor theatre and to the space under the stage of the theatre together with the coastal path for the first 100 meters of the path from the Plas in the direction of the statue, before reaching steep steps.

Fire exits:

There are several fire exits, all of which are signposted with an illuminated green sign. Staff will help everyone to leave the building in the event of an emergency and the assembly point is on the roundabout near the entrance to the car park.

Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Access Policy

Plas Glyn y Weddw is committed to:

1. To comply with Disability Discrimination Act not only in law, but in spirit.

2. To strive to be an example of best practice.

3. To continue annually to make access improvements and record these improvements.

4. To actively strive to seek funding, sponsorship and grant aid for continued improvements

5. To actively implement a programme of disability awareness training for staff and volunteers

6. To treat access issues as central to our function and not in isolation. Access should become an integral part of our core policies i.e. Service Forward Plan, Learning Policy, Exhibition Policy etc.

7. To list facilities on our website: www.oriel.org.uk

8. To ensure that access includes both intellectual and physical access and that our policies are social inclusive.

Plas Glyn y Weddw is committed to providing full access to people of all abilities to the gallery, café, woodland and open air theatre, and continuously improved accessibility.

Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw acknowledges the implication of the Disability Discrimination Act. As a result a Disability Policy and Action Plan have been formulated. While formulating the Policy the advice of relevant organisations in the field of disability has been taken into consideration as well as museums and galleries guidelines.

Plas Glyn-y-Weddw endorses the following definitions of the term disabled people:-

"Society disables people by putting barriers in their way. These range from physical, sensory and communication barriers to those of attitude"

[Social definition].

"Mental or physical impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities"

[Medical definition].

Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw sees this Act as an opportunity to develop one of its main aims which is to improve physical, sensory and intellectual access to the gallery where this is possible and to strive towards ensuring a quality gallery provision accessible to all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, social status, ethnic origin or ability. Being more accessible and welcoming will create a more positive experience for everyone.

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