The photo above shown with the courtesy of www.ukattraction.com, is the main entrance to the museum, through the Ionic columned portico. The Corinium Museum, Cirencester did not feel like an imposing building, and appeared hidden away, especially for the first time visitor. I noticed a sign protruding out from the facade as I walked on that street, and that was how I knew it was there. Although it was Saturday, not many people were visiting the museum, and we had it all to ourselves.
One of the exhibits that I found to be interesting was the "Talking Gravestones". These were gravestones found from Roman times, where "stories can be heard" about the "dead person" from whichever gravestone that you click on the interactive board in front. You can tell that the designer wanted children to enjoy the exhibits, and it is such a fantastic idea.
Obviously, when they redesigned the museum, they had extensive consultations with the users, including disabled people. You can have a good assumption on this because the displays have been designed for clarity and contrast between the letterings and the background using the correct font sizes.
There were many mosaic pieces preserved from the Roman times, and this particular display shows floor tiles from a Roman villa, and the information boards were placed at the correct height for children and wheelchair-users. Children are able to squat or bend down and have a better look at the mosaic pieces.
All the displays, to me, had been accessible for children and wheelchair-users. I could easily read the information sitting on a wheelchair, but it would be better if it was at an angle. Perhaps for someone who has problem cranning the neck.
I felt satisfied with the number of interactive displays that they had, especially the row of artifacts and stones from the Roman times. You can pick them up and inspect them or touch the bigger stones.
Nearer the entrance there was a Roman Garden display, which you can enter and experience the environment. But it was really cold that day, so I gave it a miss. You can see it at the background of the photo above. In the foreground were these interactive desks for children, especially, to pick them out and open them, like a book and discover many things. And on the walls were more mosaic pieces.
The building had two floors and the lift was very accessible, with audio announcement and embossed and tactile buttons, plus a full length mirror to make it feel bigger!There were many other exhibits, apart from the Romans, there were the Pre-historic, the Celts, the Middle Ages and the Victorians. As Cirencester was a Roman town, many of the exhibits were focused on that period of history, especially when there are not many museums displaying Roman artifacts in Britain.
To my delight, I had discovered a real gem of a museum. My feelings were summarised by the fact that this building is really, really accessible and a pleasure to visit. It was designed and rebuilt with the intention of finding again the "Pulse of Discovery", and the very essence of why a museum is a museum. The verdict on the museum was altogether very accessible to children and disabled people. I had set out to visit without too much expectations, and it gave me more than I expected.
Before we left the museum, we asked for suggestions for a good place for lunch, and the receptionist was very helpful with our inquiries. We walked about 100 metres and found the the Swan Yard cafe, which had really friendly staff and good food, except that it felt as if everyone in Cirencester were having their lunch there!
The next part of the journey will be South Wales, but it was not an easy journey as we had to find our way through thick fog with at times 30 metres visibility and then, the sun's glare in my driver's eyes! But we managed in the end.
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