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Access

Every effort has been made to ensure maximum accessibility for all visitors to The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham welcomes you.

This page should help explain provisions around the site and help you plan for your visit. If you have any specific requirements please do not hesitate to contact us prior to your visit and we will do our best to accommodate your requests.

We have worked with AccessAble to create individual access guides to our galleries and spaces. These guides give you the detailed information you need to work out if a space is going to be accessible to you.

If you require further assistance, please call us on 01634 823800 or email us at info@chdt.org.uk 

Arrival

PARKING

We have disabled parking in our main car park within easy reach of the admission point, please display your Blue Badge clearly. If you are not a Blue Badge holder but require certain access needs, please contact us prior to your visit.

ADMISSION

We understand that you may need an assistant to enjoy your visit. One personal assistant is permitted free entry if you are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment. If you need multiple personal assistants, prior arrangements must be made in advance and written evidence of this may be required.

AccessAble Guide to Parking, Entrance, Ticket Office & Shop

We have worked with AccessAble to create an access guide for getting around our historic estate.

When you click on the link below you will be taken to the AccessAble website.

Getting Around

The distance between the main entrance and the furthermost gallery is approximately 800 metres. The route between the galleries and ships has a fairly even surface with the ground sloping down from east to west.

WHEELCHAIRS

You are welcome to bring any type of mobility vehicle. A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available for loan at the admissions point; if you require one of these, please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

ASSISTANCE DOGS

Assistance dogs are welcome.

Access-Able Guide to Getting Around

We have worked with AccessAble to create an access guide to getting around the site.

When you click on the link below you will be taken to the AccessAble website.

Changing Places & Accessible Toilets

We are Changing Places registered and you are welcome to use the facility.

Our Changing Places accessible toilet is located inside the Fitted Rigging House, adjacent to the Steam, Steel and Submarines gallery. Please note the facility will be locked on arrival.

To access the Changing Places space, you will need to contact the Visitor Assistant in the Steam, Steel & Submarines gallery. If the gallery is closed, you can contact security by dialling 1286 using the phone on the desk in the lobby of the Fitted Rigging House. Security will give you the code to the key safe and answer any questions.

There are accessible toilets located throughout the site at the following locations:

  • Museum Square
  • Thunderbolt Pier
  • Outdoor Play Area
  • No.1 Smithery
  • Mess Deck
  • Steam, Steel & Submarines (Changing Places)

Access-Able guide to CHANGING PLACES & ACCESSIBLE TOILETS

We have worked with AccessAble to create an access guide to our Changing Places facility and accessible toilets.

When you click on the link below you will be taken to the AccessAble website.

Eating & Drinking

We have two catering facilities at the Dockyard.

The Mess Deck restaurant has level access from entrance or ramp from Museum Square.

The Wagon Stop canteen has ground floor level access.

Access-Able Guide The Mess Deck Restaurant

We have worked with AccessAble to create access guides the Mess Deck Restaurant. This guide gives you the detailed information you need to work out if this space is going to be accessible to you.

When you click on the link below you will be taken to the AccessAble website.

Access-Able Guide to Wagon Stop Canteen

We have worked with AccessAble to create access guides to the Wagon Stop Canteen. This guide gives you the detailed information you need to work out if this space is going to be accessible to you.

When you click on the link below you will be taken to the AccessAble website.

Galleries

We have worked with AccessAble to create access guides to each of our galleries. These guides give you the detailed information you need to work out if these spaces are going to be accessible to you. When you click on the link below you will be taken to the AccessAble website.

3 Slip – The Big Space

Command of the Oceans

Hearts of Oak

Commissioner’s Garden

HM Submarine OCELOT

HMS CAVALIER

HMS GANNET

No.1 Smithery

RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection

Steam, Steel & Submarines

The Ropery

Accessible Events & Activities

Thanks to generous support from Arts Council England we are able to offer a range of access tours and events throughout the year on a complimentary basis. These include Audio Described Tours, British Sign Language Tours and Relaxed Openings. In addition to these, we offer adapted sessions at some of our major events and experiences such as Mission Christmas (separately ticketed).

We require these to be booked in advance as capacity is limited.

Community Engagement

In addition to access events we work within our local communities. Our community engagement and outreach work is tailored to meet the needs and interests of specific target groups, and offers wider access to our objects and resources.

Virtual Tours

We have created virtual tours of HM Submarine OCELOT and HMS CAVAVLIER.

Please explore using the videos below.

HM Submarine OCELOT

HMS CAVALIER