Interactive exhibits of mechanical art and design with buttons, handles, lights and sound effects.
MAD is the country’s only permanent venue for mechanical art. Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Art and Design. Combining inspirational imagination with clever and often witty design. Encouraging kids to put down their remotes and be more hands-on.
The MAD Museum does what it says on the tin! Based in the center of Stratford upon Avon, this quirky attraction displays interactive pieces of mechanical art, in particular; kinetic art and automata.
The museum is located on the first floor, above Lakeland and between Toni & Guy and The Cornish Bakery. It is based on the opposite end of Henley Street from Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Windsor Street Car Park and Coach Drop off.
Accessibility at The Museum’s Entrance
The MAD Museum’s entrance is well lit and there are no steps in this area. Visitors can either use the staircase or utilize the lift to access the museum.
The lift can be found at the far wall of the museum’s entrance (white lift door with a silver, pull handle). The lift carries one wheelchair user/ push chair at a time. There is a clear audio announcement in the lift and the buttons are labelled with braille text.
The lift will bring the user out into the museum’s shop and reception area.
Accessibility throughout The Museum
Visitors enter the museum on the left of the reception desk and exit through the gate on the right (facing the desk).
The museum is situated entirely on one floor, no ramps or steps are present in the museum.
Everyone can move through the museum at their own pace and spend as long as they wish in any particular area.
The Museum’s Environment
There is a good contrast between the floor (light grey) and walls (navy blue) in the museum. Clear surfaces such as glass and plastic casing have contrasting markings on them. Clear signage (colour contrasted, large lettering and pictograms) are used throughout the attraction.
Disabled Parking
A small number of disabled parking spaces are available outside the Museum. Blue Badge holders may park in these spaces for 30 minutes between 8am and 11am. These spaces are controlled by the council rather than the Museum.
Blue badge holders are permitted at both Windsor Street and Rother Street car parks. Parking is free in all District Council car parks for blue badge holders.
No natural light is present, spot lights illuminate everything throughout the museum.
There are several seats dotted around the museum at appropriate intervals and the museum’s cinema room also has seating.
