Accessibility

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 and ask general questions. At the Cathedral Square Info point, Access Kits and large print programmes will also be available. At King William Street, you’ll find these at the Access Hub.

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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If you are unsure of where to find a venue, head to the Access Hub or nearest Information Point where someone from the festival team will be able to help.

Programme
Head to the nearest Information Point or to the Access Hub 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. 

Access Kits will be available to collect from the Access Hub and at our Cathedral Square Info Point. Access Kits contain: 

• A large format programme
• A fidget toy
• A laminated map
• A notebook and pen
• Magnifying reading strip

You can also request the following for your access kit: 

• Ear defenders 
• A Portable stool

Anyone is welcome to collect a kit. We kindly ask that ear defenders and portable stools are returned before the end of your visit.

Location: Outside the entrance to Blackburn Library on Town Hall Street, in a gazebo.

This year, we have introduced a Festival Access Hub, an information point designed to help visitors navigate and experience the festival in a way that works for you. Here, you can get information about our programme and venues, pick up an Access Kit and/or be paired with one of our Festival Friends.

Festival Friends are volunteers that are there to help visitors feel confident to explore and experience the festival in a way that works for you. This might include helping you to navigate the festival with directions, attend an activity, find a venue, or simply have someone alongside you during part of your visit. To be paired with a Festival Friend, head to the Access Hub and a volunteer will be available to support you. Please note: availability may be limited.

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

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) – Saturday only
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 

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 or ask at the Access Hub outside the Library and they’ll direct you.  The Quiet Space is wheelchair accessible.

Google Maps link for Blackburn Library: View Location
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