University of Atypical

What it’s like

A free gallery of soft-sculpture installation art in Belfast city centre, with a sensory pack for anyone who needs it.

You wander round soft-sculpture installations rather than paintings on a wall, which makes for a gentler kind of gallery visit. It's free to get in, so you don't have to weigh up whether it's "worth it" before you go, you can just pop in on a Tuesday afternoon and see what's on. There's a sensory pack available in the gallery too, which is a nice touch if anyone in your group finds busy visual spaces a lot to take in.

The building's step free throughout, with accessible toilets and a powered wheelchair outlet if you let them know you're coming. Two Blue Badge spaces sit about 30 yards from the front door on Royal Avenue, though there's no car park on site, so if those spaces are taken you're looking at Handy Park or Library Street Car Park instead. It's card only, so don't rely on cash for anything.

The catch is the opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5.30pm, and shut at weekends. That rules it out as a Saturday plan, but it's an easy one to slot into a weekday visit to town, especially if you're near Belfast Central Library or Craft NI, as the bus stops are right outside. If you want a signed or audio-described tour, you'd need to email or call ahead to arrange it.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

On-street parking on Royal Avenue

Wheelchairs

Wheelchair accessible. Powered wheelchair outlet available with advance notice

Getting there by bus or train

Closest bus stops are outside Belfast Central Library and Craft NI

• Card only, so no cash payments here
• A sensory pack is available in the gallery if you ask
• Nearest bus stops are outside Belfast Central Library and Craft NI
• Email ahead if you want British or Irish Sign Language or audio description on your tour

Plan your visit

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