The Tunnel of Lights at Charlestown Shipwreck Heritage Centre

Our reviewer Alison*, a wheelchair user went to visit the Tunnel of Lights at Charlestown Shipwreck Heritage Centre recently. Here’s her report.

To be perfectly honest, we had intended to visit the actual Shipwreck Museum on the 5th December only to discover that the museum is replaced by the Christmas display The Tunnel of Lights and reopens on 9th January 2023.

Definitely a lesson learned and I will certainly remember to check websites the day before I make a visit to anywhere next year!

Any disappointment at the museum being closed, however, did quickly change when we realised we were able to partially experience the pleasure of their Tunnel of Christmas Lights.

We had a lovely hour partially exploring their tunnel of lights. I say partially because not all of the tunnels are accessible to wheelchair users and so therefore this blog is solely based on the ground floor tunnel of lights and NOT the underground tunnels.

In terms of discounts, carers do go free so the cost of our visit was £12.50 for my ticket and my friend came in for free.

All in all, the tour took us about 45 minutes to see the grottos, German Market kiosk, tunnels and gift shop that were accessible to me as a wheelchair user.

The lights and Christmas displays are a lot of fun and certainly brought a smile to our faces. As well as some very cute Christmas displays.

There was a long tunnel of white lights (quite narrow and uneven although I did manage to get down and turn around, it was one way only for wheelchairs).

There was also a series of tunnels with brightly coloured lights and a very shiny floor.

There is no daylight visible once you are inside and as such is pretty dark and it can look like you’re walking on “nothing”. It’s amazing to see but obviously not suitable for everyone.

For those who are mobility impaired but not in wheelchairs there is nowhere to sit or rest in the tunnel of lights. Expect to walk for around 20 minutes if you go into this section. At the end of the tunnels on the ground floor. We stopped and got some little gifts there at the end of our tour. Those who can manage steps can continue to the lower tunnels from here.

I did thoroughly enjoy our trip around the Tunnel of Christmas Lights. I had a smile on my face from beginning to end. It certainly brightened my day.

We also had a lovely chat and coffee in the warm December sunshine with an amazing view sat on the outside seating area of The Pier House Hotel right on the harbour. There is a short steep incline to get to the outside sitting area and the area is made of cobbles once you are there but with a bit of careful negotiation, it is possible to safely get there and enjoy the outstanding views over Charlestown Harbour.

We do plan on visiting the museum again in the new year to give a more in-depth access guide but for now we hope this helps you to enjoy the Charlestown Treasure Museum Tunnel of Lights as much as we did.

PARKING: There is a private large car park a few hundred yards away from the museum itself. Blue Badge holders do have to pay. The parking meter is easily spotted in the middle of the car park next to three accessible spaces.

ENTRY TO THE MUSEUM:

It’s certainly not a level or smooth entry. There are cobbles/rough terrain to negotiate as you leave the car park and once you have crossed this area there is a short but steep incline up to the museum entrance. You can be dropped off here if you have someone with you who is driving.

I am an active manual wheelchair user so did manage on my own, but it wasn’t easy. I did notice a wheelchair owned by the museum near to the accessible toilets as we were leaving that can be borrowed for the visit as long as there is someone who can walk up the incline to reception to ask for it, or for those who call ahead.

It would take someone reasonably fit to be able to push the wheelchair up the slope, but once you are up everything else is on
the flat.

When we visited there was background Christmas music and obviously flashing lights but other than the music it was quiet and gave a calm relaxed feeling. The staff were also really helpful about letting us know exactly what was accessible and about the music and lights before we bought our tickets.

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS

The accessible toilets are at the very end of the tunnels on the ground floor. There is one accessible toilet and it has the basic
facilities of hand rails, sink and emergency pull cord.

*By request we have changed Alison’s name for this article.