Accessibility
We aim to make our exhibitions, collections, facilities and services accessible to the widest possible audience.
If you have any suggestions on how we can improve our accessibility, please contact us.
How to find and enter the Henry Moore Institute
Victoria Gardens entrance
Our main entrance faces onto Victoria Gardens, and requires walking up a set of hand railed steps.
The main entrance has a set of double automatic doors, which open inwards.
A further set of shallow steps inside the building, with a hand rail, lead up to reception.
Cookridge Street entrance – step free
There is an accessible lift entrance to the Institute from Cookridge Street, which opens into our ground floor reception area.
The doors to the lift provide an opening of 100cm, with the platform dimensions of the lift 110cm wide by 148cm deep.
Please press the illuminated green button inside the lift lobby to open the lift door.
Getting around inside the building
Galleries
The Sculpture Galleries, Study Gallery and Shop are all located on the ground floor, with a smooth, level floor.
The Sculpture Galleries have a set of double automatic doors, measuring 144cm.
The Study Gallery does not have automatic doors. A Gallery Assistant is on hand to help with access to this exhibition space.
Passenger lift
There is a lift to all floors within the Institute, measuring 100cm wide by 136cm deep, with a doorway 72cm wide.
The lift has handrails on its three interior walls.
Library & archive
The Sculpture Research Library and Archive of Sculptors’ Papers are located on the first floor of the Institute.
Due to the width of doorways, wheelchairs wider than 65cm will unfortunately not be able to access the library.
Using the library & archive
Reaching books
The library has footstools and rolling steps to help reach higher shelves.
There are trolleys available to help carry books.
Our staff are here to help if you would like assistance retrieving items from shelves.
Lockers
We have lockers at the library reception to store your belongings.
Key turners (a device that makes it easier to grip and turn keys, helpful for people with arthritis or weak hand and grip strength) for library lockers are available from the library reception.
Wheelchairs in the library
There are raised benches in the Audio Visual Library and library corridor adapted for wheelchair users’ use.
Key turners for library lockers are available from the library reception.
Due to the width of doorways, wheelchairs wider than 65cm will unfortunately not be able to access the library.
Alternative access
If you are unable to access the library, our staff can bring books downstairs for you to consult in our reception area.
We would advise that you contact the library beforehand (email library@henry-moore org or phone 0113 2467467) and speak to library staff who can arrange for the books to be made available to you. Please note that some books for the library’s special collections may not be available to consult in reception.
We recommend that you consult the library catalogue prior to your visit.
Visual aids
There is large print signage in the library.
We have magnifiers, reading lights and aids for accessing video/audio materials. These are available from the library reception.
Induction loops
There are induction loops at the library reception.
We also have induction loops at our main reception desk on the ground floor, and in the seminar room.
Toilets
Accessible & gender-neutral toilets
We have three gender-neutral superloos (self-contained cubicles with a toilet and sink).
Additionally, we have one gender-neutral, accessible superloo, and one superloo with baby changing facilities.
Toilets are situated on the basement level, accessible by lift.
Changing Places toilet
The closest Changing Places toilet is located in Leeds City Museum (approximately 350m away from us over a mostly flat route).
Alternative toilets nearby
Leeds Central Library: one gender neutral toilet and one accessible toilet with baby changing (Basement); three gender neutral toilets (First floor).
Leeds Art Gallery Artspace: one Radar Key accessible toilet.
Pushchairs and baby changing facilities
Storing pushchairs
We have lockers on the basement level, which are suitable for backpacks and smaller items.
Unfortunately we do not have storage facilities for luggage or pushchairs, however it is usually possible to leave them behind the welcome desk while you visit – please ask a member of staff first, and remember to take any valuables with you. All items are left at the owner’s risk.
Baby changing facilities
There are baby changing facilities within one of our gender-neutral superloos.
Toilets are located on the basement floor, accessible by lift.
Information for blind or partially sighted visitors
Audio descriptions
We now provide audio descriptions of selected works in all our exhibitions. There are links to these audio descriptions in the galleries via QR codes, or you can find them on our exhibition webpages:
The Traumatic Surreal | John Hoyland: Imaginary Beings
For audio resources related to older exhibitions, please see our past exhibition programme page. Please note, only a relatively small selection of our past exhibitions have audio resources.
Guide dogs
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other badged assistance dogs are welcome in the gallery.
There is a small grassy area just outside the Institute on Cookridge Street, suitable for spending.
The nearest green space is Park Square. It is around 350m (0.2 miles) from the Institute on a mostly flat route, with pelican crossings on all junctions.
Exhibition literature and signage
Braille and large print versions of exhibition literature (wall panels and leaflets) are available at reception.
Guided tours
We offer free guided tours of all our exhibitions.
You can join us on Saturday or Sunday at 14:00 for free, drop in guided tours (while exhibitions are open).
To discuss or book a free tour at other times, please contact reception on 0113 246 7467 or via email: reception@henry-moore.org
Touching works
Because all the works on display are on loan, it is not usually possible to touch objects in the exhibitions.
If permission is granted it is usually at the discretion of the curator and visitors must be accompanied by an Information Assistant.
Lighting
Depending on the exhibition, light levels may be lowered in certain galleries. This is to protect and conserve fragile artworks in those areas, which may be damaged from prolonged exposure to strong light sources.
Library & archive
There is large print signage in the library.
Support equipment for library users, including magnifiers, reading lights and aids for accessing video/audio materials are available from the library reception.
Information for hearing impaired or deaf visitors
Induction loops
There are induction loops at the main reception desk, library reception, The Studio and the seminar room. There is a portable induction loop available for visitors to use in the galleries (please ask at reception).
Online content
We are aware that not all audio content on our website is available in alternative formats. We are beginning a programme to transcribe audio recordings so that they will be accessible to all.
Accessible parking & taxi drop-off
Accessible parking bays
The Institute does not have its own parking facilities. The nearest accessible parking bays are on St Anne’s Street, by the side of Leeds Cathedral.
Check the Leeds City Council website for details on other places to park in the area.
Coaches
The nearest drop off bays for coaches or minibuses are on Great George Street, behind Leeds Town Hall.
Taxi pick up and drop-off
The closest place for taxi pick up or drop-off is on The Headrow, by Victoria Gardens.
The what3words address for this location is: ranks.forced.urgent
This spot is around a 30m (100ft) walk to the Institute across the flat, paved Victoria Square.
Public transport
By bus
Many buses stop along the Headrow by Victoria Gardens, including the 14, 19/19A, 33/33A, 49, 50/50A, 65, 72, 75 and X6.
These bus stops (Y5, Y6, Y7 and Y10) are around a 30m (100ft) walk to the Institute across the flat, paved Victoria Square.
From Leeds train station
Leeds train station is around a 500m (0.3 miles) walk from the Institute along Park Row.
There are pelican crossings on all junctions along this route.
The walk from the station to the Institute is on a slight upward incline.
The 19 and 19A buses run from outside the station (stop S7) to the Headrow.
Directions to the Institute
Please see our Directions page for more information on how to get to the Institute by car, train or plane.
Visit us
Henry Moore Institute
74 The Headrow
Leeds
LS1 3AH
United Kingdom
T: 01132 467 467
E: institute@henry-moore.org
