A young child is playing with a large glowing colourful inflatable plant. — The Hothouse Laboratory. Photo Credit: Sandra Ebert

Access at Undershed

More information about Access at Undershed

We want to be as welcoming, inclusive and accessible as we can be at Undershed. Here you can find information about visiting the gallery.

FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth is suitable for all ages, but parental guidance is advised. Please be aware that the artwork contains flashing images, which may affect individuals with photosensitive epilepsy.

The Hothouse Laboratory is also suitable for all ages but will be an ambient experience with no flashing lights.

Visiting Undershed

Watershed's main entrance (which leads to Undershed's entrance, just to the right of the Box Office desk) is on the ground floor and accessible via a ramped, electronically assisted entrance door.

The entrance to Undershed is ramped and you enter the exhibition space through a curtain. We have worked with access consultants to create environmental elements like signage, manoeuvrability and lighting which are appropriate for some visitors with access needs. Where these can be improved, please let us know.

There is seating available - a sofa in the welcome area, and seating in the main exhibition space.

Visitors are welcome to take a break at any time. You can go back to the welcome area and then return to the exhibition. Undershed Gallery Assistants (GAs) are always available if you want to chat about your experience.

You are welcome to use any of the toilet facilities in Watershed then come back into the space.

We’ve designed the installation to be as accessible as possible for wheelchair users. For those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, there is a written description of the soundscape. We have programmed Relaxed and Masked and Socially Distanced Undershed visits. You can find out more about them below.

To prepare yourself for visiting Undershed to see FRAMERATE, please take a look at diagrams of the layout of the space below.

Diagrams for the Hothouse Laboratory will be made available soon.

The layout of the FRAMERATE exhibition which has multiple screens placed around a dark room with wooden benches and black curtains around the edge.

Both installations are designed to be as accessible as possible for wheelchair users.

For FRAMERATE, for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, there is a written and BSL description of the soundscape available - the experience is mostly visual. These are available on this page or at the gallery. These will also be created for The Hothouse Laboratory. Ask our Gallery Assistant if you'd like to see them when you arrive.

For FRAMERATE, for those who are partially-sighted or blind, there is audio description available. There is also an introductory chapter for pre-bookers online, or a shorter version for those who haven't booked, which can be accessed in the welcome area. This sets a context for the piece. A specific audio description for the artwork follows. Ask our Gallery Assistant for access.

large-print-intro-framerate.pdf131.85 KB

Large Print Introduction - FRAMERATE

Introduction to FRAMERATE - Audio Description

For The Hothouse Laboratory, we are creating audio description for the experience. There will be an introduction to the world, and an interactive description available for the gallery visit.

If you would like a tour to familiarise yourself with the environment, then please contact us to arrange this. Undershed@watershed.co.uk

To keep up to date about Watershed's accessible events please sign up to our Accessible Mailing List. You can also let us know about your access requirements by signing up to our Access Register. Companion tickets are available for those who require them.

Relaxed Visits

For FRAMERATE, the lights will be on for arrival so people can get used to the space before it goes dark. The audio will be slightly quieter.

You can visit at the following times:

10:30: Sat 12 Jul

The Hothouse Laboratory is already designed to be accessible and gentle as a sensory experience.

Relaxed Visits are less populated to allow more space for people with sensory sensitivities to explore the space more easily. Lights will be slightly brighter where needed, and the audio will be slightly quieter.

We have programmed Relaxed Visit slots and invite you to attend a session which is relevant to you. This is to accommodate different needs, however, in the spirit of providing a relaxed environment, we will not be policing noise from visitors during these sessions. The two different sessions are suggestions:

Choose a quieter visit if you identify as a quieter person who might prefer less noise.
Choose a louder visit if you identify as a louder person who might be noisy.

Relaxed Visits:

15:00: Fri 8 Aug – quieter
12:30: Sun 10 Aug – louder
12:30: Thu 14 Aug – louder
12:30: Tue 19 Aug – quieter
15:00: Fri 22 Aug – louder
12:30: Wed 27 Aug – quieter
15:00: Sat 30 Aug - quieter

If you would like a tour to familiarise yourself with the environment, then please contact us to arrange this. Undershed@watershed.co.uk

What to expect during a Relaxed Visit to Undershed:

Maximum of 12 people will be in the space at any one time in the 2 hour period, but we estimate it will be around 6-8 people.
Gallery Assistants will have more time to spend with you if you need them and explain what to expect.
More seating options for you to rest and relax.
The welcome space is a quiet space where you can chill out if you need it.
These sessions are two hours long, you can arrive at any time within this period, and probably want 30-45 minutes to enjoy the experience.

Masked and Socially Distanced Visits

These events are open to everyone but are part of our offer for audiences and customers who would rather they had more space and less people in the exhibition. For this reason, mask wearing is mandatory throughout your visit if you're not exempt.

For FRAMERATE, you can visit at the following times:

12:00: Thu 10 July

For The Hothouse Laboratory:

10:00: Tue 26 August

To be kept informed about Masked and Socially Distanced slots and other accessible events please sign up to our Accessible Mailing List. You can also let us know about your access requirements by signing up to our Access Register. Companion tickets are available for those who require them.

What to expect during a Masked and Socially Distanced Visit (MSD):

Maximum of 10 people will be in the space at any one time in the 2 hour period, but we estimate it will be around 4-5 people.
Our Gallery Assistants will also be wearing masks.
All audiences will be expected to wear masks unless exempt.
Gallery Assistants will have more time to spend with you if you need them and explain what to expect.
More seating options will available for you to rest and relax.
These sessions are two hours long, you can arrive at any time within this period, and probably want 30-45 minutes to enjoy the experience.

Gallery Babies Visits

These sessions are designed for parents or carers with babies (12 months and under). You are welcome to bring your buggy into the space, as there will be no designated buggy parking. These events offer a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere with fewer visitors, allowing you to explore the artwork with your baby. These sessions are 45 mins long, please arrive at your session's start time.

For the Hothouse Laboratory we have programmed the following:

10:00: Tue 12 Aug
12:30: Mon 25 Aug

These events offer a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere with fewer visitors, allowing you to explore the artwork with your baby. These sessions are 45 minutes long - please arrive at your session's start time.

More information and feedback

If you have any feedback or require any support to visit Undershed, please contact us. Email communications@watershed.co.uk or phone Box Office on 0117 927 5100 and one of the team will be able to help.