Access Information

A warm welcome for everyone


Entrance Charges

Entry is free to the gallery, shop and café but an admission charge applies to some exhibitions.

Our free displays include:

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Car Parking

There are parking meters to the side of the Gallery, including two disabled parking bays for blue badge permit holders. There is also an NCP car park under The New Bridge Hotel to the right of the building and one on Saville Row which has stepped access to the gallery.

Public Transport Access Routes and Drop Off Points

The nearest Metro Station to the Gallery is Monument, which is approximately 5 minutes walk away.

All buses stopping at the Haymarket are approximately 10 minutes walk away; buses stopping at Pilgrim Street are approximately 3 minutes walk away.

The nearest drop-off point by taxi, dial-a-ride, car or coach is on John Dobson Street alongside the gallery. There is another drop-off point on Oxford Street.

Building Entrance

There is level access entry to the gallery on New Bridge Street from the Blue Carpet. Two sets of automatic doors lead to the reception desk and shop area. To access the gallery from the shop area, there are stairs and a lift. If a motorised wheelchair is bigger than the main lift, there is an alternative lift back of house which gallery staff can assist with, this also has level access from Higham Place. 

Getting Around

We welcome all visitors and strive to make the gallery as accessible as possible, within the context of a grade 2 listed historical building. There are lifts and stairs providing access to the ground and first floors. The lift has voice announcer and tactile buttons. All floors have level access.

There are some things that may make access challenging including:

Throughout the gallery there are barriers to protect the artwork. These barriers are placed 1 metre away from the art works in order to protect and prevent damage.

The original gallery doors on the first floor are large and heavy, these doors have to remain closed to maintain the correct environmental conditions in the gallery to protect art works. Staff will be happy to help you with the doors if needed.

Seating

There are sofas, bench seating and chairs with and without arms in the galleries. There are lightweight portable stools available for use from the racks on the Ground and First Floor. 

Public Telephone

The gallery phone can be used in an emergency or to book taxis for disabled visitors.

Gallery Plans

Large print and Braille plans are available from the information desk on the Ground Floor.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome, but must be clearly identifiable with a labelled harness/collar. The reception desk just inside the entrance on the Lower Ground Floor can provide a bowl of water.

Induction Loops

There are induction loops at the reception desk in the shop area on the Lower Ground Floor, at the till point in the second shop on the Ground Floor and in the function room on the Mezzanine Level.

Displays, Exhibitions and Attractions

Large print labels can be provided on request for all temporary exhibitions and most of the permanent displays.

The Laing has a number of tactile artworks:

  • A tactile reinterpretation of the Gerrard Robinson woodcarving is available in the Northern Spirit gallery.
  • A tactile interactive explaining the different textures within a portrait of Thomas Bewick.
  • A tactile reproduction of the bust of the Gallery’s founder Alexander Laing.
  • A bronze and marble tactile piece which explains the Frosterley Marble tiles in the Marble Hall.

Our exhibitions and displays are intended to be accessible for as wide a range of visitors as possible. Labels are written in clear print. Light levels are usually good, but some areas may have low light levels in order to avoid damage to the objects on display.

Films and Interactive Displays

There is a painting which is brought to life in a sound and light display in Northern Spirit gallery - 'The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah', by the artist John Martin.

Special Exhibitions, Events and Learning Family Activities

Throughout the year, the museum holds a wide variety of changing exhibitions, events and activities for all ages. For further information please contact the gallery.

Accessible Toilets/Baby Changing areas

There are accessible toilets on the Ground and First Floors. There is a unisex toilet on Lower Ground Floor in shop area and male and female toilets on the Ground Floor. All accessible toilets also contain baby changing facilities.

We currently do not have a Changing Places toilet. The nearest Changing Places toilet is across the street at the Newcastle City Library, New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AX. 

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is welcomed throughout the gallery.

Please click here to download and read Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' commitment to women who are breastfeeding.

Shops and Cafés

The café is on the ground floor. Hot and cold drinks and meals are available. 

The Laing Shop is situated over the lower ground and ground floor. The shop offers a range of inexpensive but inspiring ideas to suit all tastes, including, postcards and prints from the collection, fun gifts and a wide range of books.

Pre-visit Information

The pre-visit information is currently under revision. Please contact the gallery ahead of your visit, by calling (0191) 278 1611 or by emailing info@laingartgallery.org.uk. 

Wheelchair Hire

There is a wheelchair available for use. It can be found in the main entrance. It is recommended that you book in advance. There is no charge for this service.

Fire Alarms

The fire alarm will sound a siren and visual warning. The lifts cannot be used in the event of a fire. There are evac-chairs to assist disabled people to exit the building and safe fire refuge points to await evacuation. These are clearly signposted. If you need assistance to leave the building if a fire alarm sounds please inform the reception desk on your arrival.

Staff Training

All staff attend a programme of core training which includes customer care, diversity and disability awareness. They are here to help visitors enjoy the time they spend in our venues.

If there is anything that we can do to make your visit more enjoyable please contact us, we will be happy to assist you.

Contact Us:

Laing Art Gallery
New Bridge Street
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE1 8AG

Telephone: (0191) 278 1611
Textphone: 18001 0191 232 7734
Email: info@laingartgallery.org.uk
Website: www.laingartgallery.org.uk