Accessible Britain

Much thought has been given to access. There are twelve Blue Badge spaces right
outside the museum, and another six in the main car park; there’s also a disabled
drop-off point at the entrance. With a front door you could drive a bus through,
there’s no problem getting inside. The reception desk has a lowered section and – like
all customer service points – is fitted with a hearing loop. Lifts provide easy access
between the ground and upper floors, and virtually the whole attraction is barrier-free.
Many exhibits have accompanying audio or video displays; some are loop-compatible
and some video displays have BSL interpretation. Many of the exhibits are there to be
touched, to help enhance the experience. There are three fully accessible toilets on the
ground floor and one on the first floor.
FOOD & DRINK aa An upstairs coffee bar gives great views of the river and serves very
fine coffee. Downstairs, hot food is served in the spacious café, which has table service.
147 House for an Art Lover, Glasgow
Address: Bellahouston Park, 10 Dumbreck Road G41 5BW Web: www.houseforanartlover.co.uk Tel: 0141
3534770 Hours: check website or call, as the house is regularly closed for functions Entry: [D]£3 [C]£3
[A]£4.50 [under 10s]free [Fam]£13
SCOTLAND
Legendary Scottish architect and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh drew up plans for
the House for an Art Lover in 1901, but it wasn’t built until the 1990s; consequently this
elegant house boasts all the hallmarks of a Mackintosh creation with the accessibility
of a modern building.
The architects charged with its construction worked closely from the original
designs. Mackintosh pioneered the Art Nouveau movement in the UK, and the
building is emblematic of his desire to make the functional beautiful. Inside, all his
signature designs are present – the high-backed chairs with their robust right angles,
the softly tinted stained glass and, of course, the iconic Mackintosh rose. The grand
Main Hall was designed for entertaining, and all the other main rooms radiate from
it. The rose motif is evident throughout the intimate Dining Room, but it’s the bright
Music Room that really dazzles – bathed in natural light from the huge windows
that lead onto the terrace, and featuring an ornate baby grand piano, the room is
breathtaking. The computers in the Interpretation Room use twenty-first-century
technology that Mackintosh could only have dreamt of – it’s used mainly as a study
suite, but it’s a fascinating facility for all visitors to use. The souvenir shop is a great
place to pick up gifts – you can buy Mackintosh-styled jewellery, as well as prints of
his original work.
Only two levels of the four-storey building are open to the public – outside there’s a
ramp up to the house, and one down to the café, and a lift between floors inside. To save
the effort of going uphill, enter via the café, and leave from the upper floor. There are
four disabled parking spaces available in the staff car parking area, and disabled toilets
are on the ground floor. The house has been designed with access in mind – some rooms
are less spacious than others, but all surfaces are smooth. Staff are available if you need
assistance. The excellent multilingual audio sets are induction loop compatible. Only
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