Accessible Britain

The attraction invites you to explore five very important questions: Who, What, Where,
When and Why? If your kids want to know where electricity comes from, or how to beat
a lie detector, then they’ll love this place, and it will entertain them for hours. Adults will
be happy too – making soaring rings of steam and trying to unlock the secrets of the everturning
marble ball. The majority of exhibits are hands-on so you can push buttons, pull
levers, turn cogs and swing on ropes as you explore the five floors – there’s even an exhibit
teaching children how to read Braille. In designated demonstration zones, Team W5
present experiments at allocated times throughout the day and there’s an area designed
specifically for younger children. Additional seasonal events and exhibitions take place,
including at Easter, Halloween and Christmas and during the summer holidays.
The sixty car parking spaces closest to the Odyssey Complex are reserved for Blue
Badge holders, available on a first-come, first-served basis. All the designated bays
are within fifty yards of the entrance, with just one crossing and no steps to negotiate.
Inside the Odyssey Complex, there is lift access to the two upper levels, and level access
throughout the ground-floor area where W5 is located. Accessible toilets are on all levels
in the complex and the recently improved signage is clear. W5 itself is a highly accessible
and friendly attraction: most of the exhibits are low-level and multi-sensory to enable and
encourage all children to experiment; there is plenty of seating available and the lighting
is very bright. There’s a hearing loop system at the ticket desk and in the lecture theatre.
FOOD & DRINK aa Visitors are encouraged to bring their own food and drink, and there
are designated picnic areas. There’s a small coffee shop serving Costa Coffee as well as
several bars, cafés and restaurants in the Odyssey Pavilion, including a branch of Pizza
Hut on the ground floor, which offers quick and tasty pizzas in an accessible venue.
171 Grand Opera House, Belfast
NORTHERN IRELAND
Address: 2 Great Victoria Street BT2 7HR Web: www.goh.co.uk (with browsealoud) Tel: box office 028
90241919 (textphone 028 90278578); stage door 028 90240411 Hours: box office Mon–Sat 10am–5pm,
open til 8pm on performance nights Dates: box office times vary on bank hols and non-performance days
Entry: prices vary depending on performances and seats; a companion seat is available for those who
require essential assistance
First opened in 1895, the Grand Opera House is one of Belfast’s oldest and best-loved
venues. From serious drama to the inevitable Christmas panto, whichever performance
you choose, you are guaranteed a grand evening.
The theatre closed at the height of the Troubles and only reopened in 1980 when
it became the focus of city-centre renewal. In 2006, a new performance space – the
Baby Grand – was developed. The Main Auditorium in the old part of the building
is magnificent: the original decor has been well maintained, and the atmosphere is
intimate and relaxed. In 2013, the theatre was awarded the Disability Equality Charter
Award in recognition of its ongoing commitment to ensuring accessibility for everyone.
All levels of the theatre are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of The Gods. The
smaller Baby Grand Studio can accommodate four wheelchair users, who sit along
the front row. Staff offer excellent and reassuring one-to-one customer service. People
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