Pickford House Museum Pickford House Museum, 41 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1DA, United Kingdom

Pickford's House Museum of Georgian Life and Costume is in Derby, England. It is named after architect Joseph Pickford, who built it as his family home in 1770. It was opened as a museum in 1988. The building is Grade I listed.

Hidden amongst the gorgeous old buildings and cobbled pavement of Friar Gate sits Pickford’s House; the professional showcase and family home of Georgian architect Joseph Pickford. Now the museum illustrating aspects of domestic life from the 18th to the 20th centuries, Pickford’s House shows the contrast between the master and the servant, the grandeur of Georgian architecture and the changes that occurred in the house over its 250-year life.

Accessibility

Situated in the heart of Derby’s Friar Gate conservation area, Pickford’s House Museum is an elegant Grade 1 listed Georgian four-storey town house built by the prominent architect Joseph Pickford in 1770 for his own family.

Today this award-winning museum shows the accommodation of a late Georgian professional, and has a lively programme of exhibitions and events. We look forward to welcoming you.

CAR PARKING AND ARRIVAL

• Free onsite car parking at the rear of the building (Agard Street)
• Car park access width restricted (please phone for details)
• Car park and gardens level access (gravel surface)
• Car park and gardens suitable for non-motorized wheelchairs
• Pay and display parking on Friar Gate (steps up to the pavement from the road)
• Ramped / Level Access to gardens car park and museum lower and ground floor only
• Support/Guide Dogs welcomed

MAIN ENTRANCE, RECEPTION AND SHOP AREA

• There is a doorbell at the entrance door on the ramp if assistance is required.
• The main entrance door is manual and opens outwards.
• Immediately on entering there is a sunken coir mat.
• The entrance doorway and hall are suitable for wheelchairs and the main flooring is marble stone.
• Entry is free of charge.

ATTRACTION (DISPLAYS, EXHIBITS, RIDES ETC.)

• On the lower ground floor the kitchen and laundry have been reconstructed, together with a cellar and pantry, so that visitors can get an idea of what life was like for the servants working below stairs in Georgian times. One of the cellars is equipped as an air-raid shelter of the 1940s. The ground floor is furnished as it might have been in Joseph Pickford’s time together with dining room, drawing room and morning room. A Georgian bedroom and dressing room have been recreated on the first floor. The upper floor features a servant’s bedroom, complete with straw mattress, and a gallery of toy theatres.

PUBLIC TOILETS

• Pickford’s House is an historic building and adaptations have been made to give wheelchair users access to the ground floor and basement. Unfortunately there is no toilet on these floors and no wheelchair access to the first and second floors.
• There are two public bathrooms available for use situated off the main staircase, both are unisex. One on the first floor landing and one on the second floor landing. The first is a 1930s bathroom with period fittings and linoleum flooring. The second is an Edwardian bathroom with period fittings and linoleum flooring, and includes a step of around 200mm to access the sink and toilet.
• Baby changing facilities available in Edwardian bathroom on the top floor.

SHOP(S)

• The shop is currently located within the reception area of the museum on the ground floor.
• There are no steps into the shop.
• The floor is a hard surface with a flat rug.
• The area is permanently staffed during opening hours, so full assistance is available.
• The shop/reception area is 7.84m square so due to it’s compact size all goods are displayed on shelving units fixed to the wall
• The room is lit by a pendant light in the centre of the ceiling and full size Georgian sash window (with venetian blind) located directly behind the reception desk

GROUNDS AND GARDENS

• Surfaces for the car park and the Georgian garden path are flat Breedon gravel, no steps.
• The surface in the side garden is slightly sloped, leading from the car park up to the ramped entrance to the building. Part Breedon gravel, part flagstone. This pathway narrows at one point to 740mm.
• Gardens and entrance ramp are halogen floodlight (on timers)
• Car park is not lit.
• Benches are situated in both gardens.
• No WC available outside.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Full details of our evacuation procedures can be obtained by contacting the museum.
• All staff are trained in fire evacuation procedures.
• All service dogs are welcome, water available.
• A fridge is available upon arrival for medications etc.