Here you can find access information about our venues and events, both physical and digital, at AND Festival 2021.
At Abandon Normal Devices, we’re proud to commission new works that result in a programme of world premieres and special one-off events. This means access information may not always be available at the time of our announcements, as we’ll still be in the final planning stages. We will ensure that additional access information is added as our programmes unfold, including information about access provision at all our partner venues.
Please get in touch with us at access@andfestival.org.uk or call 07984893595 if you have any specific questions about your access needs.
For full details on how to get around Merseyside and Cheshire, visit our travel page. If you need further information on blue badge parking bays across Liverpool and Birkenhead, visit the Liverpool.gov website or Wirral.gov.uk website.
We want you to enjoy your experience of our spaces; both offline and online, everyone should feel safe, welcomed and respected. View our Code of Conduct for more information.
ON WATER + LAND
Does Spring Hide Its Joy at Hydraulic Tower, Birkenhead
The Hydraulic Tower is derelict and in the process of being renovated. As it is still under construction, the quirks of a derelict building will still be present during your visit – it will be uneven under foot and there may be dust in the air that we cannot control.
The main room within the Hydraulic Tower in which Does Spring Hides It Joy will take place is wheelchair accessible.
This sound installation will be loud and may not be suitable for everyone to experience. Guide dogs will be allowed on site but we ask you to consider the noise levels before booking your ticket.
Limited seating will be available on site during your visit.
No parking will be available on site except for anyone with access requirements and accessible portable toilets will be on site. There are multiple car parks nearby, a short 10-15 minute walk from the installation – more information available here.
Observatory Cinema on the grounds of Bidston Observatory
Bidston Observatory, Prenton
Postcode: CH43 7RA
Bidston Observatory can be accessed via Wilding Way and on top of Bidston Hill.
There will be 3 plots for wheelchair users and a party of up to 6 people for each screening at Observatory Cinema. Please ring Ticket Quarter ahead of booking to check availability of accessible plots.
No parking will be available on site, except for anyone with access requirements. There is road parking and lay-bys on the way up and then a 5-10 minute walk on an incline up to the Observatory on Bidston Hill. There will be accessible portable toilets on site.
The grounds of Bidston Observatory is uneven underfoot, partially on paths and on grass.
Seating won’t be available on site so we advise to bring your own provisions and be prepared for the weather as the site will be uncovered.
By the Sound of Things onboard the Daniel Adamson
the Daniel Adamson
Embarkation from: Telford’s Quay near the National Waterways Museum
Embarking postcode: CH65 4FW
Access on the Daniel Adamson
The Daniel Adamson, or The Danny, is a small tug boat built in 1903. Access onto the vessel is via a ridged gangway. Toilet and catering facilities are located on the main deck. There is incidental seating throughout, and guide dogs are welcome. Ticket holders will be able to park at the National Waterways Museum, the embarkation point for The Danny, free of charge. You will then be transported back to the embarking point via coach at the end of the boat trip, free of charge. Ticket holders will be able to use facilities at the National Waterways Museum where there are accessible toilets.
Due to the age of the Daniel Adamson, access between decks is via steep stairways and is not accessible by wheelchair, so may be difficult for those using other access equipment to navigate. Galleys and doorways are narrow and many of the doorframes are raised at floor level.
By the Sound of Things
In By the Sound of Things you will experience an approx. 25 minute sound piece in low light levels (but not blackout), whilst lying on a bed in a confined space.
You will need to go down a set of steep steps to access this space.
This experience may not be suitable for those who have claustrophobia or feel uncomfortable in small spaces and for those who use access equipment as you will need three points of contact on the ladder.
Passengers can alternatively experience the soundscape from the deck.
A transcript of sound piece will be available on site.
An accompanying video work (10 mins) will be located in the saloon which is not wheelchair accessible. There are steps in and out of this space and light levels will be low.
There will be an Audio Description of the video work, available to watch on your own devices. Headphones will also be provided.
The full duration of the boat trip is 3 hours, with no stops.
The Blue Violet River onboard Mersey Ferries
Mersey Ferries + Ferry Terminals
Embarkation points:
Pier Head Ferry Terminal postcode: L3 1BP
Woodside Ferry Terminal: CH41 1EL
Mersey Ferry access
The lower deck on the Mersey Ferry and its terminals have flat-level access. The link span bridge – which connects the ferry terminal to the landing stage – can be quite steep, especially at low tide. Mersey Ferry staff can provide assistance or transport you by electric buggy from the terminal to the landing stage. If required, please request on arrival at the terminal.
There is limited customer parking available at both Wirral terminals and Woodside, including blue badge parking bays, though parking fees do apply at Woodside. There is no car parking available directly at Pier Head terminal in Liverpool but there are two blue badge parking spaces (no access to dropped kerb) at the Cunard Building.
Accessible toilet facilities are available on the lower (boarding) deck and at terminals.
Please call Mersey Ferries directly on 0151 330 1003 if you’d like to discuss your access requirements.
The Blue Violet River
An accompanying sound piece will be played through over ear headphones which will be given out on arrival onboard the ferry. They will be handed out on a first come first serve basis and cleaned after each use.
A transcript of sound piece will be available on site.
WetLab at National Waterways Museum
National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port
Postcode: CH65 4FW
The National Waterways Museum is located in a historic canal dock complex. Some of the pathways around the site are cobbled and uneven.
There is level access to all galleries and displays, as well as to the café and shop. The site plan that is given to all visitors shows a recommended accessible route around the site.
There is designated parking for the museum, as well as accessible toilets and lift access to the main exhibition spaces. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome throughout the site.
Two manual wheelchairs are available on site; please call the museum directly on 0151 355 5017 to reserve or discuss your access requirements, or go to the National Waterways Museum for their full accessibility statement.
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WetLab will be presented outside, within the grounds of the National Waterway Museum.
Workshops on site will have a fixed capacity and be wheelchair-accessible. Elements of the programme will be presented online through pre-recorded, captioned video content.
More information on access and the WetLab programme will be available soon.
ONLINE
Toxicity's Reach
The exhibition is made up of three new digital commissions, all highly visual and image-led. You can explore each artwork via the URL ToxicitysRea.ch
The Sea Collapsed into the Pleasures of Sand by Luiza Prado de O. Martins may potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy.
Listen to audio descriptions of each work:
Audio Introduction to Toxicity’s Reach.
Audio Introduction to The Sea Collapsed into the Pleasures of Sand by Luiza Prado de O. Martins.
Audio Introduction to Estroworld Now: The Quarantine Edition by Mary Maggic.
Audio Introduction to Plastic Hypersea (the spill) by Sissel Marie Tonn.
One-Fifth of the Earth’s Surface
One-Fifth of the Earth’s Surface is an online, ongoing body of research. Because of the nature of the website’s build to be non-linear navigation, it will not be accessible to screen readers and may feel disorientating to use. You can explore the work via the URL: OneFifth.Digital
There will be a more accessible version of One-Fifth of Earth’s Surface’s content which is deconstructed and text driven. This can be accessible via the eye icon on the top right of the page.