The Roundhouse building is built on a steep slope and is laid to cobbles, and is uneven underfoot. There is an inclined paved pathway through most of the courtyard. This pathway can be accessed from the main gated entrance on Sheepcote Street. The pathway runs to the upper courtyard, but entrance into the building is over cobbles on a slope.

There is step-free access through all internal parts of the building, with step-free entrance via the Visitor Centre or the toilets. Access to the restaurant and outdoor decking can be gained internally via a step-free route.

Please do get in touch with us in advance of your visit so we can discuss your individual requirements and ensure you have the best experience possible.

The Visitor Centre is equipped with an induction hearing loop in the Visitor Centre. You will need to switch your hearing aid to the T position to make use of this system. We can also make sure that your tour guide has a portable hearing loop system – again you will need to turn your hearing aid system to the T position.

Assistance dogs are very welcome. You can keep them with you in all spaces at the Roundhouse, including the restaurant, and they’re also welcome on all our tours. Please do get in touch with us in advance of your visit so we can discuss your individual requirements and ensure you have the best tour experience possible.

We also have an Audio Description of the Roundhouse available to listen to through our website. See the section below.

Take an audio-described tour of the Roundhouse, narrated by some of our staff and volunteers. This audio-commentary will guide you around our courtyard and Visitor Centre, detailing the displays and the history of the Roundhouse.  

You can use this guide to choose which areas of the Visitor Centre you would like to learn more about, and while you can listen to this guide from the comfort of your own home, we encourage you to come and visit us in person to get a full-sensory experience.  

Press the track to listen.

If you have any questions about this audio guide or visiting the Roundhouse, please contact our Visitor Centre in advance of your visit on 0121 716 4077, open Wednesdays to Sundays 9:30am-4:30pm.  

Step-free access into the building is through the main Visitor Centre entrance. The is accessed via a sloped, cobbled courtyard.

If you’re visiting tenants based on the first floor, there is an accessible lift to the left of the Visitor Centre.

The nearest car park is Arena Birmingham, the entrance of which is on Sheepcote Street. When parking at the Arena, we recommend that where possible you disembark outside the Roundhouse before the vehicle parks. Accessible parking bays are located on Level 9 of the North Car Park, off King Edwards Road, or in the South Car Park, off St Sheepcote Street (but please note that lifts can sometimes be out of action in the South Car Park). Disabled visitors arriving in vehicles over 2m in height (Minibuses or Ambilifts) need to head to the North Car Park.

There is an accessible toilet available in the main public toilets next to the Visitor Centre. If you are visiting one of our tenant spaces, there are a number of accessible toilets in these spaces too.

All of our toilets, including our accessible toilet, are all-gender.

Wednesday-Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:00am in the Visitor Centre.

This is a time when there are usually fewer visitors to the Roundhouse Visitor Centre, and we will make some changes during this time to reduce sensory input.

There will be a sign put out at our welcome desk, to inform other visitors that it is our Quiet Time.

If you would like to call ahead to make any specific requests, or to ask any further questions, please contact our Visitor Centre in advance of your visit on 0121 716 4077.

Sound

The fan heaters currently installed in the Visitor Centre will be turned off to minimise the noise.

There is a loudspeaker in the Horse Stall Time Machine which plays sounds from a working industrial yard with horses. This is triggered by a motion sensor. This will be turned off. 

The toilet is located next to the Visitor Centre. Noise from electric hand dryers can sometimes be heard in the Visitor Centre. 

Light

There are several screens, displays and lights in the Visitor Centre and Display Space:

A large TV screen behind the welcome desk, playing video footage and photographs showing the Roundhouse renovation works and the types of tours and activities we deliver.

A large projector screen in the Display Space, playing animations which tell stories of the people who worked at the Roundhouse. This also has sounds – a combination of music and spoken word – which will be turned off on request. 

There are two large floor-to-ceiling windows that provide plenty of natural light in the Visitor Centre and Display Space.

As part of our commitment to ensuring that everyone is welcome at the Roundhouse, we are now able to offer a sensory bag. This bag and its contents are available for anyone to borrow whilst exploring our site or participating in our on-site tours. 

What exactly is a sensory bag?  

It’s a collection of items designed to be useful for a variety of sensory needs. Whether you’re looking to stimulate your senses, enhance your exploration of the Roundhouse, or alleviate anxiety, our sensory bag has got you covered. 

What’s inside our sensory bag?  

You’ll find an array of items such as fidget toys, a magnifying glass, sunglasses, and ear defenders for both adults and children. 

Want to know more about sensory Access at the Roundhouse? 

We have tactile displays and objects in our visitor centre, a sensory map of the visitor centre is available on our website, and we implement ‘Quiet Time‘ daily (9:30am-10:00am).