Danum Gallery, Library and Museum (DGLAM)

The new home for Doncaster Libraries and Heritage Doncaster in the Civic and Cultural Quarter is located on the junction of Waterdale and Chequer Road in Doncaster town centre.

Historic opening date announced

Danum Gallery, Library and Museum officially opened its doors for advanced visitor bookings on Saturday 29 May 2021. Details of the booking arrangements are below.

Pre-book a tour

As a temporary measure we need to limit visitors and library users until the Government restrictions are lifted. Please book your visit either online (using the links below), by phone on 01302 734410 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm) or call into the Tourist Information Centre to book a time slot.

There will be tour slots available Monday to Saturday throughout the day. The museum and art gallery tours will be one and a half hours in length to give people plenty of time to have a good look round. The library visits will each be one hour long for people to browse and choose books or use the various digital services. There will be a short break between scheduled visits for public safety.

People must have a confirmed booking to gain admission. Those without will unfortunately be turned away. The tours are of course free of charge.

Please note that you will be redirected to the Eventbrite website when you click on the links below when you are booking your museum and / or library tour. Eventbrite is the online ticketing service that will enable you to book tickets for these events. Eventbrite is the data controller relating to all of the personal information you provide when you are booking your tour of the museum and / or library. For full details of how your personal data will be processed by Eventbrite please visit the Eventbrite Privacy Notice page. 

BOOK YOUR MUSEUM TOUR NOW

BOOK YOUR LIBRARY VISIT NOW 

The latest government advice is that the Covid restrictions will remain until 19th July 2021, the booking system will be amended to allow for extra dates after 21 June. The pre-booking system will be reviewed in light of the relevant Government announcements and it is hoped will no longer be required at this point.

Questions and answers about the ticket booking system

How do I book?

Firstly decide if you want access to the Museum and Galleries or just the Library. Then you book online using the link buttons above.

We will reserve a limited supply of tickets for both tours for anyone without internet access and these can be booked in person at the Tourist information Centre at 1 Priory Place Doncaster – opening hours Mon – Sat 10am to 3:30pm. It is also possible to call 01302 734410 which is a BOOKING LINE ONLY with a very limited supply of tickets. This line is open Tourist information Opening hours as above. Please only call this number if you are unable to visit in person and please note the best way to reserve is online or in person.

What if I change my mind, or can’t make the booking? 

If your plans change please let us know by calling 01302 734410 (Mon - Friday 9am-5pm) where we will cancel your reservation so that someone else can have a chance of taking your place, we know demand will be far greater than we have available during this time.

What time should I arrive for my booking?

As we are managing Covid restrictions please don’t arrive more than 15 mins before your allocated time. You will be asked to wait outside in the rear garden until we open the doors for your tour if you are on a Museum and Galleries Tour. For library only visitors you will be required to wait at the front of the building near the main doors.

Please maintain social distancing in the queue and allow those around you space.

Please wear your face covering at ALL TIMES.

Do I need to bring my ticket with me?

You will be issued an E-ticket if you book online or a paper ticket if you book in person. Please bring that with you, but don't worry if you forget as we will have lists to check you in on arrival.

Do I have to wear my face covering and socially distance?

Yes, we are required to ask you to do this from the time you arrive and join the queue to the time you leave the building.

Is the building accessible by wheelchair?

Yes, the building is fully compliant – please notify us at the time of booking or when you arrive and we will make sure we cater for your needs.

If I reserve a ticket for the Library only can I visit the rest of the building?

Unfortunately not, due to Covid restrictions on numbers a Library only ticket will only allow 1 hour in the Library.

If I reserve a ticket for the Library only can I visit the Children’s and Information Library?

Yes, you can visit all parts of the library although we’d ask please adult only groups refrain from going into the children’s library if there are visitors with children in the building at the same time as you. There are number limits in the children’s library and we’d really like the children to see it.

Will I be able to make myself a member of the Library on my visit?

Yes you can make yourself a library member during your visit.

Will I be able to use the toilet on my visit?

Yes, all toilets will be sanitised between the various tours.

Will I be able to visit the Café on my visit?

Yes, you will. The café is open and will be able to supply you with items to take away as you leave ONLY. You will be given an order form on arrival and you will collect your order and pay (card or cash) as you leave the building.

Will I be able to visit the shop on my visit?

Yes, the shop will be open.

Do I have to follow a route around the building?

Yes, for Covid compliance you will be advised of the route to follow so we don’t have people crossing on stairs etc. We will also ask you to stay within your party group and please be considerate of our staff and other visitors and maintain distancing.

Will I have a tour guide inside the building?

No, you will be following a self-guided visit, there will be staff to talk to you and help with questions but you won’t have a private guide.

If I book a Museum and Gallery visit does this include the Library?

No, unfortunately you will only be able to visit the Museum, the Rail Heritage Centre and Gallery, the Art Gallery and the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) Gallery.

All the sessions are full – what can I do?

Whilst we are operating the reduced access we know it will get booked very quickly. Please bear with us whilst we try and do the best we can to get as many of you in as legally possible.

If your chosen time and day is booked try all others.

We are waiting for the further announcement on the lifting of restrictions on or after 19 July where we hope we can fully open or at least greatly expand the numbers we can accommodate. Please keep an eye on our website and media.

What will you do with any spaces on the tours if people don’t turn up on the day? 

We are asking all those making booking to please let us know if their plans change. We will be contacting everyone the day before to ensure they are still planning to come and any changes to bookings that result is ‘spaces’ we will open for re-booking.

If people fail to turn up on the day it will be too late for us to re issue these tickets unfortunately.

What if I’m delayed and late for my booking time? 

You will be allowed in up to 15 minutes AFTER your booked entry time only, but you will still be expected to leave at the end of the tour, so your visit won’t be extended by 15 minutes. Anything after 15 minutes will be impossible for us to safely admit you.

What if I just turn up, without a booking and wait to see if any spaces become available? 

Unfortunately as this is a complex system, for our visitors and staff safety during Covid times, we won’t be able to allow any walk ups. Anyone arriving without a valid booking for that day will be asked to leave and advised to make a booking following the above guidance.

When will you be fully open? 

We hope to open fully as soon as government guidelines allow. If the booking system needs to extend beyond 20th June we will release more dates as appropriate.

What is there to see and do

The new building can be enjoyed by all residents and visitors and is home to the following:

  • The children’s and adult lending libraries
  • Museum packed with fascinating collections
  • Art Gallery full of impressive works some loaned from the likes of the British Museum.
  • King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Museum
  • Rail Heritage Centre showcasing memorabilia from the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection and two locomotive engines - No.251 and Green Arrow
  • A high quality education space
  • A lovely cafe
  • Training, meeting and conference facilities

...and much, much more.

Getting Here

Address: Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1

Get directions with Google Maps

Public Transport:

The Danum is located a 10 minute walk (0.5 miles) from Doncaster Railway Station and Doncaster Bus Station.

Parking:

Waterdale Car Park, Wood Street Car Park, and Civic Quarter Car Park are all located less than a 5 minute walk from the building.

Facilities

  • Toilets
  • Accessible toilet
  • Changing Places toilet
  • Baby change
  • Shop
  • Café
  • Meeting rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi and internet access

Virtual opening and tour 

We virtually opened the doors for an online audience on Wednesday, 17 March 2021.

Take a virtual preview tour on www.heritagedoncaster.org.uk 

The virtual tour enables people to explore the building and see the many wonderful features and exhibits. The tour is similar to Google Maps, arrows will allow you to click and tap your way through the building. Information icons will pop up on different objects and areas, and will lead you to videos with more information and background - it really is like touring the building in person.

How the building got its name

Residents were invited to put forward names and vote for their favourite from a shortlist. The name reflects our history and the key elements people can enjoy and use inside.

Further information

Please visit www.dglam.org.uk for further details about the venue.

 

Last updated: 18 June 2021 17:55:46