Access Statement
Dates of Event
4 September to 4 December 2016
Opening times
Until 4 December 2016
Mondays – Wednesdays Closed
Thursdays 11:00 – 17:00
Friday – Saturday 11:00 – 19:00
Sundays 11:00 – 17:00
Event Location
Former HMP Reading
Forbury Road
Reading RG1 3HY
Advance Information
For additional information about accessibility, the nature of the project, and its interpretation, or if you have special access requirements please call us at the Artangel office, open Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 18:00, on +44(0)2077131400. For ticketing enquiries please call the box office number: +44(0)1189606060.
Artangel’s team will do whatever is possible to meet your access and/or communication needs. Please note however that due to the historic nature and purpose of the site step-free access is restricted to the ground floor.
We are by request able to send copies of printed information about the work to visitors in advance, please call our office on +44(0)2077131400 or email info@artangel.org.uk.
Project Description
Inside includes new work made in response to the prison’s architecture and history, as well as archival material relating to the prison and existing work by artists whose work speaks to the themes of the exhibition. Every Sunday in September and October, writers and performers will pay homage to Wilde by reading De Profundis in its entirety in the former prison chapel.
The Victorian core of the prison is set over three floors. Archival material relating to the history of the prison will be installed on the ground floor, while newly commissioned and existing artworks will be installed primarily on the first and second floors, with the exception of Doris Salcedo’s piece, which will be located on the ground floor. Oscar Wilde’s cell is thought to have been on the first floor.
Getting to the venue by public transport
The closest train station is Reading Train Station. Reading Train Station is fully accessible. Trains from London Paddington to Reading run approximately every 15-20 minutes throughout the day and the average journey time is around 30 minutes.
National Express coaches serve Calcot (about 6 miles west of Reading centre, just off M4 J12). Any local bus on the Calcot/A4 route heading east will take you into the town centre.
Getting to the venue by car
Reading is served by the M4 motorway, which links with the M25. Both the M40 and M3 are within easy reach.
Car parking
Reading has a number of multi-storey car parks (mostly pay on exit). For the purposes of the project only we are able to offer car parking at the site to Blue Badge holders by prior arrangement. Please contact the Artangel office in advance to arrange this. We are not able to accommodate ad hoc requests.
On street Blue Badge, Pay and Display and single or double yellow line parking spaces are available in central Reading for blue Badge holders: more information on parking in central Reading.
The nearest Car Parking facilities are located at:
NCP Car Park
Reading Garrard Street
Gerrard Street
Reading
Berks RG1 1NR
and
Reading Station Car Park (24 hours)
Vastern Road
Reading RG1 8BT
Vehicular access to the rear of the prison for mobility impaired visitors is also available by prior arrangement with Artangel. Vehicular access is possible via the vehicular entrance at Gatehouse Lock, adjacent to the Main Visitor entrance, and the established one-way system on site.
Location
Visitor access to the exhibition is via the gatehouse pedestrian entrance, which is located at the northern edge of the site, visible when you turn into the entrance from the A329. A reception desk is located immediately inside the gatehouse, where Front of House staff will be stationed and maps of the exhibition will be available. Visitors will be directed through the gatehouse to the exhibition area.
This route involves steps, though Front of House staff will be able to guide mobility impaired visitors to the ramped access point. There is no step free access to floors one and two of the prison building.
Access and movement when on site
The route to viewing the work inside the building is:
- From the Gatehouse entrance, via one set of stairs.
- Entrance into D wing via another set of stairs
- Level floor access to the Ground floor of A,B,C, and D wings
- The first and second floors of the exhibition in A, B and C wing are accessed via multiple stairs located in A, B and C wings.
- The Old Chapel is accessed via the 1st floor from A or C wing, or via an alternative stairwell from the Ground Floor of D wing.
Signage within the building indicates routes and exits to guide visitors. The floors throughout are metal and reasonably even.
Light levels within the building vary, though they are generally good.
Assistance animals
Assistance animals can be accommodated within the venue.
Coat check
A coat check for coats, bags, and buggies/pushchairs will be available in the gatehouse.
Interpretation and supplementary images
An information leaflet about the project is available onsite with interpretative notes on the work. Copies can also be obtained in advance from our website as a pdf or in alternative formats by contacting us on +44(0)2077131400.
Toilets
There are toilet facilities available on site, including disabled toilet facilities.
Fire Safety
An evacuation plan for the building is provided for. Should it become necessary to evacuate either of the exhibition spaces, Artangel staff will provide assisted escape from all areas and alert the emergency services.
Mobility impaired visitors should ensure that they visit with an accompanying person to assist them in the event of an evacuation.