Here is a guide to help you plan and navigate the festival, ensuring you can make the most of your experience at the National Festival of Making.
If there are ways we can support you to access the festival, or if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@festivalofmaking.co.uk. We’re here to help make your visit as enjoyable as possible.
During the festival, you can reach our team by speaking to one of the Event Staff who are wearing purple reflective vests/hi-vis. Alternatively, you can head to the Festival Info Points on King William Street and Cathedral Square.
We have two information points located in the King William Street and Cathedral Square areas. They will be in a gazebo and will have a banner which reads ‘Info Point’.
At our info points a member of our team will be there to greet you and provide all the information you will need. Here you will be able to pick up your festival programme, an access kit or ask general questions. Large print programmes will also be available.
The Mall Car Park
Google Maps link for The Mall car park entrance: View Location
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There are 38 disabled parking bays located across the Mall carpark, with spaces in each of Blocks A, B and C.
Blackburn Council Car Parks
There are multiple car parks around Blackburn Town Centre that have disabled parking bays.
The Blackburn with Darwen Council website has a full list of car parks around the town centre. You are able to filter the list on the left side of the page to only show car parks with disabled parking bays.
Link to car park information: View List
If you are travelling by public transport, the festival is easy to find – head towards King William Street or Cathedral Square.
Travelling by Train
Google Maps link for Blackburn train station: View Location
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Travelling by Bus
Google Maps link for Blackburn bus station: View Location
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There are many places where you can find accessible toilets in Blackburn town centre. The Cathedral Square area will have temporary toilets including one accessible toilet.
You can also find accessible toilets at these locations:
The Mall
Accessible toilets can be found on the ground floor at the County Court Entrance
Blackburn Market (In The Mall)
Changing Places facilities are available here, these bathroom facilities have more space and equipment including a height adjustable changing bench and hoist.
Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery
Accessible toilet can be found on the ground floor
Blackburn Library
Accessible toilet can be found on the ground floor
For more information on the venues please see the venue accessibility guide.
Here is some information about how to find your way around the festival:
Information Points
If you are unsure of where to find a venue, head to the nearest information point where someone from the festival team will be able to help.
Programme
Head to the nearest information point to collect your programme.
Our festival programme features a map and a list of venues to help you navigate the town centre. It also has some basic physical accessibility information and highlights which venues do not have step free or level access. Large print programmes will also be available at the information points.
Yellow Line
If you prefer to explore freely, then the festival site will have a yellow line which is painted on the floor. This will guide you to the main areas and venues.
Blackburn Library
11am – 5pm
Located on the first floor of the library, you’ll find a dedicated Festival Quiet Space. No booking required, just head to the first floor and a friendly assistant will point you to the room.
Google Maps link for Blackburn Library: View Location
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This year, we’ve introduced Access Kits at our Info Points. Each Info Point will have 20 kits, containing:
Here is a list of venues which do not have level, ramp or lift entry. These are also highlighted in the festival programme in the Accessibility section. These venues are noted throughout the programme using various symbols.
Prism Contemporary
Single step access
The Batcave
Single step access
Community Clothing Pop-Up, 66 King William Street
There is a 4cm lip at the entrance
Tony’s Ballroom
Accessed by a staircase
Meet your Community Networks downstairs at The Exchange – accessed by steps
Blakey Moor Terrace
The ground floor has level access, however some of the exhibition takes place upstairs, accessed via a staircase
The following venues have alternative level access:
The Making Rooms
Level access through the side entrance on Museum Street
The Bureau Centre for the Arts
Level access at the rear – entrance via the side street off Museum Street
The Crypt, Blackburn Cathedral
Alternative level access via the Cathedral Annexe
