OUR family trip to Bowes Museum was on something of a whim. A bit of a last-minute decision with, consequently, not a lot of time to plan and make sure everything would go smoothly.

Often in such circumstances, this is a recipe for disaster when there are mobility issues to address.

So it was important to garner as much information in as short a time as possible if this outing was going to work. Some snippets were gleaned from items dotted about the house. There was a booklet hoarded in the loft entitled: "Access To Attractions For Visitors With Disabilities - County Durham". This had news of a ground floor accessible WC, reserved spaces and the distance of these (25 metres) from the accessible entrance; lifts to all floors and paths around the gardens that are accessible "with assistance". "Additional Features" included the Sympathetic Hearing Scheme, a wheelchair loan scheme and sign language by prior arrangement.

This leaflet also pointed us in the direction of the excellent website replete with virtual tours of all the floors, details of the latest exhibitions and further information on access.

There was still a need to follow all this up with a phone call to fill in the cracks. Is the wheelchair one that users can propel themselves? Is it wise to book it in advance? Is there a map of the paths around the gardens with information about gradients and surface types? A swift phone call came up with answers that settled most of these. There are, in fact, several wheelchairs available but it is always wise to book. There is no map with the information I require but, in their opinion, I "should be able to get around".

Next came the visit itself. On arriving at the museum, we followed the drive round to the back of the building where, by the far (east) side there is free, reserved parking for people with disabilities. As the guide said, these are only a short distance from the east door. This section is steadily downhill with a further drop to the door - all manageable with care but some may prefer to have a helper with them, particularly to operate the intercom. The intercom is like a bell that rings at the reception desk from where an attendant came and helped us in. Nothing was too much for this gentleman. I had arrived in my own wheelchair but it chose this crucial moment to begin falling apart. He soon fixed us up with a replacement that I could propel myself both for use inside and in the gardens, should I wish to take it outside.

The toilet and caf are close by the east door so they were our first ports of call. My wife and daughter were with me, providing ample help in the caf but, with the confusion of chair-legs to negotiate, I think I would have struggled without them. Further down the corridor is the reception area, which most visitors would come to first. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that, since my wife qualified as my 'disabled carer' and my daughter is under 16, the total entrance fee for this slice of the Donegan family was a mere £6. The attendant was on hand when we wanted the lift to the exhibition area (our main reason for visiting) and the Silver Swan (our second reason for visiting). It was uncanny how he managed to be always there whenever we needed him, yet never got in the way - a true professional.

Access to the pictures we wished to view in the exhibition was fine, with room to manoeuvre around the paintings to take in all angles and time and space to ponder at leisure. Similarly, the Silver Swan display was well managed so that everyone got a decent view of one of the twice-daily showings.

Out in the gardens via the lift and the east door, there are 23 acres to explore, including picnic areas (two tables for wheelchair users) with paths meandering throughout. I restricted myself to the area close to the museum while my wife and daughter went further afield. To explore this area with confidence, I would have needed bags more energy and a map such as I suggested earlier - being told that I "should be able to get around" is a comment I would only value if coming from someone who had travelled the paths in a wheelchair.

This trip was excellent value with facilities that made things reasonably straightforward. We really must return and allow much more time to explore the grounds as well as the museum - maybe there will be a map by then.

FACT FILE

Location: The Museum is situated in Barnard Castle, County Durham, just off the A66.

Opening Hours: Open daily 11am-5pm Other times by arrangement. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Bowes Museum: Tel (01833) 690606 website: www.bowesmuseum.org.uk

Access At Attractions For Visitors With Disabilities, Durham County Council, 0191-383 3354, www.durham.gov.uk/tourism.

Published: 11/01/2005