Access to our building
We aim to make all visitors welcome in our building and committed to providing full and equal access to Arnolfini for everyone.
We understand that access needs are broad and diverse and can include physical, sensory, emotional, intellectual and financial needs.
You may also find helpful information within our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Opening Times and Quieter Times
We are open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm.
We are often quieter from 1pm to 2pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays if you like to visit when fewer people are around, however this can’t be guaranteed. We run a number of relaxed exhibition openings for blind and partially sighted visitors and open to others who have additional needs and require a quieter time to visit.
Charges
Admission to Arnolfini is free, but we do have a pre-booking option available for those who would prefer it. We hold spaces for drop-ins throughout the day, but always try to book to secure a visit and to avoid disappointment.
We offer free tickets for companions and carers of people with additional needs for charged for events.
Blue Badge Parking
There are two designated Blue Badge parking spaces within easy reach of Arnolfini in the Mud Dock City Docks car park, accessed via The Grove Car Park. There are also five spaces in The Grove Car Park. Parking in the accessible blue badge spaces are free, and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can find more car parks on the Travel West website.
Level Access and Lifts
Access to the main entrance is via automatic doors from the quayside, which has a uneven cobbled surface. There is smooth level access from Prince Street to our Café Bar entrance as well as at the main entrance of Arnolfini from both Prince Street and Narrow Quay.
There are lifts to all floors and level access to all public spaces, including galleries, shop and café bar.
Accessible Toilets
Accessible toilets can be found on Floor -1, 0 and 2.
Please note that sometimes our visitor toilets may be fitted with a code lock, you can receive this code from any of our Team at the entrance to the building.
Induction Loops
There is a induction loop system covering most areas of the Theatre.
Audio Descriptions
We provide audio descriptions of works in our exhibitions for visually impaired or blind visitors.
Gallery Guides
We have limited, printed Gallery Guides available so we would really appreciate you leaving them for others when you’re done, or downloading one from here.
Large Text guides
We provide large text guides for all of our exhibitions and available from the entrances to the galleries.
Borrow a Wheelchair
Wheelchairs are available to borrow for free (subject to avaibility), ask a member of staff on arrival or contact us ahead of your visit.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs, and assistance dogs in training, are welcome throughout the building. Water bowls for dogs are available in the café bar on Level 0, just ask and our staff will be happy to help.
Places to Sit
Portable folding stools are available around the galleries for people to pick up and use. We are currently limiting the amount of fixed seating available as part of our Covid-19 risk assessment.
Quiet space
Although we don’t currently have a dedicated space if you need a quite space, we have a number of activity rooms which if available we will endeavour to accommodate you.
Events and activities for people with additional needs
Many of our regular public events are welcoming and accessible for people with a variety of needs or can easily be adapted to meet different needs. We also run a number of events specifically designed for visitors with additional needs, for example, relaxed exhibition openings for visually impaired people, BSL interpreters for selected events on request. We also organise bespoke visits for groups on request.
Access to this website
Arnolfini is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Please read our full Website Accessibility Statement here.
Further information
For a comprehensive access guide, please see the AccessAble website. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact the Visitor Services Team.
