A new video tour of the William Lamb Studio has been produced and you can view it below...
Please note that the Studio is now only opened to visitors by volunteers of the Friends of William Lamb. This means that we are unable to open the Studio as often as we would like. But nonetheless we will do best to welcome all here as far as is practical – and we plan to make your visit as positive as we can.
Studio openings fall into several categories:
“Drop in Sessions”- on various days throughout the year – but with more dates in the summer season (July and August) regular openings will be arranged and advertised. These dates will be advertised here on the website and elsewhere and visitors can drop in without pre-booking. On many of these days there will be guides who have detailed knowledge about the collections and who can provide “mini tours” on request.
“Look out for the Board” – there may be occasions that the Friends will open the Studio at short notice, or have arranged an opening for pre-booked visitors that can accept others. If you see the “welcome/open” board outside the gate feel free to drop in.
Group Visits – if you wish to visit and are part of a group you are asked to speak to us in advance, this will allow us to arrange guaranteed access with enough volunteer support.
Education Groups: we ask that all – school, college or university - of these are pre-booked so that safe access and fitness of purpose can be arranged. See our “education” advice.
Special Requirements: (see detailed access advice) - if you contact us in advance we can talk through access issues and possibly make special arrangements and ensure we have extra volunteers to support your visit and make it a better experience.
Special Events – The Friends arrange special events in the Studio – for example talks, poetry readings, music sessions to enhance general visits. These are usually open to all and advertised as such. Please be aware that these might be “busy”.
Friends Only Openings – the Friends normally arrange several special “Friends Only” openings/events in the year – join the Friends to be invited. The Studio will also be open for other Friends activities around training, research etc. Sorry - due to space issues - these are not usually open to others.
If you want further information on visiting the Lamb Studio, or on arranging special visits we can be contacted via: studio@friendswilliamlambstudio.uk
Access
How to find us: there is signage to the Studio at the High Street end of Trades Close (covered entry). There is signage at the John Street St. corner with Market Street and there is extensive signage at the junction of Trades Close and Market Street. The Studio is the white painted building on the southern corner – look out for the “William Lamb Memorial sign” on the wall and (we hope) the new “Heritage Plaque” to William Lamb on the Studio wall in Market Street. Otherwise we are marked on Google map.
Parking: the Studio does not have a dedicated parking area. Visitors usually park in spaces “on street” and walk in. There are a lot of free parking areas on the Mid Links. Access is usually made from the Market Street end of Trades Close. Market Street is a narrow street, but “drop offs” can be made with care.
Pedestrian access: More visitors approach from the High Street, down Trades Close. Please be aware that there is a small flight of steps (3) at the High Street end of the close – the rest is flat.
Accessibility: Please be aware that the Studio is a small building and that one room (of the three) is only accessed by steep stairs – so those with mobility issues will not be able to access all the building and collections.
There is space for one wheelchair at a time in the Studio, but close visiting of all collection pieces is unlikely to be possible.
In better weather the double doors to the Studio can be opened - this allows easier access to certain pieces. So you are advised to let us know in advance if you have special access requirements.
Please note if we receive sufficient warning, we can make special arrangements for visitors with disability issues – these can include special openings for individuals and group to visit.
There is a hearing loop in the Studio – if necessary ask us to switch it on. Sorry, none of our volunteers offer signing at the moment.
Toilet: the only toilet in the Studio is the “Lamb original”. It is small and not easily accessible. The nearest public disabled toilets are in the Council car park on Baltic Street. A limited number of the nearby commercial premises have accessible toilet facilities.