Your Visit

The Byre aims to offer everyone an equally warm welcome, which means that we are as accessible as possible at all times.

In this section you will find some of the ways we try to make this happen. If you have any concerns, comments or questions, please email byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk or call the box office on 01334 475 000 during opening hours.

Help for deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people

The ABP Auditorium and LL Studio offer a hearing loop system. Please let us know if you need this facility before you book, and we will have a hearing loop pack ready for you. Our systems are also compatible with the ‘T’ setting hearing aid.

Please note that our foyers and social spaces do not offer a hearing loop system. However, events taking place in these spaces are amplified where possible.

British Sign Language Interpretation is available for some events and screenings. When available, this will be indicated on the website and you can also ask by email at byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk or call the box office on 01334 475 000 during opening hours.

Let Box Office know when booking your ticket and we will find the best available seats for you to see the professional interpreter.

Captions are available for some events and screenings.

When available, this will be indicated on the website and you can also ask by email at byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk or call the box office on 01334 475 000 during opening hours.

In captioning, the words appear on a screen at the same time as they are sung or spoken and include descriptions of sound effects and offstage noises.

Help for blind and visually impaired people

Alternative formats for visually impaired people. We are working towards making our information as accessible as possible. If you would like a large print PDF of any of our printed information, please email us at byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk or call the box office on 01334 475 000 during opening hours.

Audio-description is available for some events and screenings. When available, this will be indicated on the website and you can also ask by email at byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk or call the box office on 01334 475 000 during opening hours.

The A. B. Paterson Auditorium is equipped with a two-channel infrared system, allowing you to enjoy audio described performances via a discreet headset (this is also useful for hearing aid users or people with hearing difficulties, as it can amplify sound directly from the stage). Using a small receiver and earpiece, you can listen to an audio introduction that describes the performance’s set, props, characters, costumes and any special effects.

The introduction usually begins around 10 minutes before the start of an audio described event and you will be updated with the action on stage during gaps in the dialogue.

Describers are all members of the Audio Description Association (Scotland), ensuring that high standards are maintained.

Touch Tours are sometimes scheduled or can be arranged in advance of the performance, please email byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk or call the box office on 01334 475 000 during opening hours if this is something you would like to do.

Autism Aware

Byre Theatre staff have undergone Autism Awareness training with Autism Scotland and are working to improve the visitor experience for people with an autistic spectrum condition.

Family Friendly

We aim to offer a warm welcome to everyone who comes to the Byre. Here are a few of the ways we do that for you, your family and friends:

• We offer quality screenings for children and families, with age suitability clearly identified
• There’s plenty of space for prams and buggies
• We have a lift to take you between levels with your prams and buggies
• Baby changing facilities are available
• We don’t mind a wee bit of noise, though please try to avoid disrupting a performance
• We are breastfeeding friendly
• Our staff are really nice and will do everything possible to help
• Babies in Arms: Free tickets for babies aged 12 months and under, who are sharing a seat with their carer, are available for family friendly events.
• Please note: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult (age 18+) at the theatre unless otherwise stated.

Dementia Friendly

We are a Dementia Friendly venue and work closely with our colleague Dr Maggie Ellis of the School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, to continually develop this aspect of what we do.

Many of our staff have participated in dementia awareness training and we are also in the process of auditing our signage to make it easier for people to find their way around the building. The Byre is also a venue for special dementia friendly performances and information events.

Find out more about Dementia Friendly Fife here.

Physical Access

There is level access to the building at both public entrances to the theatre, either at the main Box Office entrance, off South Street, or the entrance off Abbey Street. Both entrances/exits operate automatic double sliding doors. All levels of the theatre can be accessed by lift. Wheelchair accessible toilets are located in the public foyers on level one and level four.

There are five spaces available for wheelchair users at the rear of the main auditorium. Each of the five wheelchair spaces enjoys unrestricted views of the stage. Please let us know when you book if you require a wheelchair space or if you have additional access requirements.

Seating Specifications

The seats in the Byre Theatre ABP Auditorium are laid out in fixed curved rows with aisles at either end, made up of 17 stairs going from row A up to row K. From the Level 1 doors there are 3 steps down to row A, 2 steps down to row B and 1 step down to row C.

Our padded seats have shared wooden armrests. The minimum width of seats between armrests is 45cm, at a height of 45cm and offer approx. 20 – 25cm legroom, measured from the front edge of the seat to the back of the chair in front.

The padded seats in the LLStudio are at a height of 44cm with fixed arms at a width of 46cm. They are positioned with a minimum of 20cm legroom, measured from the front edge of the seat to the back of the chair in front.

For more detailed information on seating CLICK HERE.

Parking

The Byre does not have dedicated parking, although there are 4 designated blue badge parking spaces outside our entrances (2 on South Street and 2 on Abbey Street). There is also a large drop off area on Abbey Street, allowing direct access to the Theatre.

What To Expect

We have made a building tour video of The Byre for people who like to plan their visit in detail. This may be useful if you, or one of your party, has an autistic spectrum condition or is living with dementia.

Byre Theatre Building Tour

Access Scottish Theatre

For performance listings for Audio Description, BSL and Captioning at theatres across Scotland, please visit their website

Euan’s Guide

For independent user reviews of arts venue access facilities across Scotland, including The Byre visit their website.

Beach Wheelchairs are available for free rental for visitors to the West Sands

St Andrews Bruce Embankment public toilets (1 mile from the Byre) include a newly refurbished changing place.