Access at V&A South Kensington · V&A
Source: https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/disability-access
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:16
Access at V&A South Kensington · V&A
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Access at V&A South Kensington
V&A South Kensington is open to all. We strive to create an inclusive environment so everyone can enjoy the museum.
The V&A recognises the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. If you need help, please speak to a member of our team.
We use third-party platforms (including Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube) to share some content on this website. These set third-party cookies, for which we need your consent. If you are happy with this, please change your cookie consent for Targeting cookies.
In this video, we share what you can expect when you visit V&A South Kensington, including the objects on display and getting around the museum. The video has British Sign Language interpretation and subtitles.
This video is generously supported by The Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation.
Visual story
Our
visual story
shows pictures of the museum at South Kensington and how to access our spaces.
The nearest step-free underground station is Knightsbridge (0.6 miles). London Victoria station is also step-free (1.3 miles).
Taxi ranks are situated on both Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road.
For more information on how to get here by public transport,
see our Visit page
or
plan your journey with Transport For London.
There are 12 Blue Badge parking spaces on Exhibition Road managed by the
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
. These can't be booked in advance. You can park for up to four hours between 08.30 and 18.30. These parking bays are free to all outside of these hours.
Entrances
The
Cromwell Road entrance
is step-free and has a wheelchair accessible door.
The
Exhibition Road entrance
is step-free and has an automatic opening door at the bottom of the walkway.
The
Tunnel entrance
is not wheelchair accessible.
Tickets
Admission to the museum is free and you don't need to book. For some exhibitions you will need to buy a ticket. Disabled visitors get discounted exhibition tickets. You can add a free companion or carer ticket to every disabled ticket.
Find out what's on and book online.
Quieter visiting
It is typically quieter when the museum opens at 10.00 and towards closing. On Fridays we stay open until 22.00, although some galleries may close early. On the last Friday of the month, we run
Friday Lates
. On these evenings the museum is likely to be crowded and there may be music playing.
V&A South Kensington is especially busy on weekends and during school holidays. If you are visiting an exhibition during peak times, sometimes there is a short wait to enter the exhibition.
If you need to find the nearest quieter space, ask a member of staff.
We have a designated Quiet Space.
Our Quiet Space is on Level 2, off Design 1900 – Now (Room 74a) and next to Gold, Silver, & Mosaics (Room 73). This is a multi-use space dedicated to providing a calm environment for infant feeding, prayer, or for visitors who need a break from sensory stimulation.
Please note that the Quiet Space may not be available during every Friday Late event. If you require further information, ask a member of staff.
Everyone is welcome to use our Quiet Space
This is a dedicated space designed for you to reflect and reset during your visit. You’re also welcome to infant feed here.
The space can be used
any time during opening hours until
30 minutes before closing.
Before you enter
If the room is occupied, please do not enter. If both rooms are occupied, please ask a member of staff about the nearest alternative space.
Sections of the door are see-through and not fully private
While you are here
Please keep noise to a minimum and do not use devices
No eating or drinking, except for water and infant feeding
You’re welcome to use the items provided but please put them back and leave the room tidy
To respect everyone’s privacy, photography is not permitted
Safety and support
A panic alarm is provided – push it if you ever feel unsafe or need urgent assistance
Staff may enter the room if concerned about safety or wellbeing
Anyone misusing the space may be asked to leave
Thank you for helping us keep this a safe, calm and welcoming space for everyone.
Assistance dogs
We welcome suitably trained assistance dogs at the museum.
To protect the collection in our care and for everyone's comfort and safety, your assistance dog must be under your care and control during your visit.
Where possible, they should remain on lead and wear a relevant tabard or harness. Carrying ID or wearing a jacket is not a condition of entry but assists staff to identify those who may need additional assistance.
In cases where your assistance dog is not registered with ADI, ADUK, IGDF, or a similar organisation, please understand that if it demonstrates behaviour inappropriate to a suitably trained assistance dog, we reserve the right to deny entry to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Such behaviour may include:
lunging
constant barking
jumping up (when not alerting)
pulling strongly on a lead
displaying an aggressive or fearful temperament (e.g. cowering or growling)
poorly cared for dogs that constitute a hygiene risk
Water bowls for assistance dogs are available in the main café and seasonally in the Garden cafe.
If you plan to visit with an assistance animal other than an assistance dog, please get in touch to discuss your request with us at
accessibility@vam.ac.uk
.
Accessible routes and map
V&A South Kensington is an old building that has been added to over the years. There are accessible routes in different parts. Staff can recommend the most convenient route depending on what you’d like to see.
Lifts and stairs are signposted throughout the building. Find them on the
digital map
.
Borrowing mobility aids
Wheelchairs and walking sticks are available at the information desk in the
Grand Entrance
. We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance.
Book a mobility aid
Accessible toilets
There are 13 accessible
toilets
around the museum.
The nearest Changing Places toilet is at the
Science Museum
.
Portable stools
You can pick up stools in a range of galleries. Ask a member of staff if you need help.
Ear defenders for children
We have two sets of child-sized ear defenders available for use at the
Learning Centre
desk. There is no need to book.
Facilities
For more information on facilities, including our cloakroom, café and shops, go to the
V&A South Kensington visit page
.
Our
National Art Library
and
Prints and Drawings Study Room
have:
free access to Windows computers
computer settings that are adaptable to suit your needs
magnification systems (CCTV) for images, text in books and other printed materials
Find out more in our
Study Room Services for People with Disabilities
page.
About the museum
Listen to
audio descriptions
of historic locations in V&A South Kensington, such as the Grand Entrance, Cast Courts and Café.
Europe 1600–1815 galleries
Get the most out of your visit to the Europe 1600–1815 galleries with our
audio guide
.
This includes
five audio description of objects
you can touch in the galleries.
Most galleries and all exhibitions have large print guides.
A selection of films within the galleries includes subtitles. We are working to subtitle all videos in galleries and exhibitions.
Tactile books
Tactile books are available in the following galleries:
RIBA Architecture (
level 3
)
Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art (
level 0, room 42
)
Medieval & Renaissance (
level -1, room 10
)
Sacred Silver & Stained Glass (
level 2, room 83–4
)
The Raphael Court
The display includes tactile, textured versions of
the Raphael Cartoons
.
Each one has a raised QR code that links to an accompanying audio description. Listen on your own mobile device by scanning the code. There are seven 3–4 minute audio descriptions of the Cartoons, and an audio introduction to the Raphael Cartoons which includes an audio description of the Raphael Court.
Available daily from the wooden unit in the Raphael Court (
level 0, room 48a
) . Please ask a member of staff for more information.
Generously supported by The Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation.
Touch objects and samples
There are touch objects and samples in many galleries, especially in
Medieval & Renaissance
(level –1, 0 and 2),
British Galleries 1500 – 1900
(level 1) and
British Galleries 1760 – 1900
(level 3). There are also five touch objects in
Europe 1600 – 1815
(
–
level 1) with an
accompanying audio description
.
Listen to a
Touch Tour playlist
that describes some of our touch objects:
Head of a bodhisattva, China Gallery (
level 0, room 44
)
Ming porcelain vase, China Gallery
(
level 0, room 44
)
Dragon vase, Korean Gallery (
level 0, room 47G
)
Chimney piece from Sir Paul Pindar’s home, Daylit Gallery (
level 1, room 64B
)
Chinese Celadon dish, Ceramics Gallery (
level 4, room 145
)
Glass balustrade, Glass Gallery (
level 3, room 131
)
Metalwork bench, Ironwork Gallery (
level 2, room 114E
)
Marble owl, Sculpture Gallery (
level 2, room 111
)
A Minton tiled column, Silver Gallery
(level 2, room 65
)
Sensory backpacks are available to borrow for an hour from the
Learning Centre
desk.
Each backpack has:
activity book with instructions and a museum map
items to touch and interact with
You can pick from Curious Ceramics, An Adventure in China or Middle Eastern Marvels.
The Curious Ceramics backpack trail is designed by multi-sensory artist Abigail Hirsch, with the help of families from
SENSE
. It has been created for children with visual impairments, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and can be enjoyed by your whole family.
We run dementia-friendly tours, BSL events, relaxed views and touch tours. For a full programme of events see
What's On
.
The following applies to invitation-only events happening outside of museum opening times, including Dinners, Private Views and Early Morning Views. For ticketed events see information provided with your ticket.
Arriving at V&A South Kensington
When you arrive, there will be identifiable V&A Staff to check you into the event and direct you to available facilities at the museum.
For our large-scale events, there may be queues. Contact us at
museumeventsinvite@vam.ac.uk
if you need any assistance or have any questions.
Companions and carers
Companions and carers are very welcome to attend our events and do not need to be part of any guest allowance.
Accessible routes
If you require a step-free route at an event, please contact us, and we will coordinate and provide information on the most suitable route.
Borrowing mobility aids
Wheelchairs and walking sticks are available. We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance. Contact
museumeventsinvite@vam.ac.uk
to book.
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are available at all our events. Please note, however, that there are no accessible Changing Places toilets.
If you'd like to tell us about your accessibility needs or ask a question before your visit, get in touch:
Tel: +44 (0)207 9422 000
Email:
accessibility@vam.ac.uk
.
Visiting the Young V&A?
Read access information
Skip to main content
Access at V&A South Kensington
V&A South Kensington is open to all. We strive to create an inclusive environment so everyone can enjoy the museum.
The V&A recognises the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. If you need help, please speak to a member of our team.
We use third-party platforms (including Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube) to share some content on this website. These set third-party cookies, for which we need your consent. If you are happy with this, please change your cookie consent for Targeting cookies.
In this video, we share what you can expect when you visit V&A South Kensington, including the objects on display and getting around the museum. The video has British Sign Language interpretation and subtitles.
This video is generously supported by The Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation.
Visual story
Our
visual story
shows pictures of the museum at South Kensington and how to access our spaces.
The nearest step-free underground station is Knightsbridge (0.6 miles). London Victoria station is also step-free (1.3 miles).
Taxi ranks are situated on both Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road.
For more information on how to get here by public transport,
see our Visit page
or
plan your journey with Transport For London.
There are 12 Blue Badge parking spaces on Exhibition Road managed by the
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
. These can't be booked in advance. You can park for up to four hours between 08.30 and 18.30. These parking bays are free to all outside of these hours.
Entrances
The
Cromwell Road entrance
is step-free and has a wheelchair accessible door.
The
Exhibition Road entrance
is step-free and has an automatic opening door at the bottom of the walkway.
The
Tunnel entrance
is not wheelchair accessible.
Tickets
Admission to the museum is free and you don't need to book. For some exhibitions you will need to buy a ticket. Disabled visitors get discounted exhibition tickets. You can add a free companion or carer ticket to every disabled ticket.
Find out what's on and book online.
Quieter visiting
It is typically quieter when the museum opens at 10.00 and towards closing. On Fridays we stay open until 22.00, although some galleries may close early. On the last Friday of the month, we run
Friday Lates
. On these evenings the museum is likely to be crowded and there may be music playing.
V&A South Kensington is especially busy on weekends and during school holidays. If you are visiting an exhibition during peak times, sometimes there is a short wait to enter the exhibition.
If you need to find the nearest quieter space, ask a member of staff.
We have a designated Quiet Space.
Our Quiet Space is on Level 2, off Design 1900 – Now (Room 74a) and next to Gold, Silver, & Mosaics (Room 73). This is a multi-use space dedicated to providing a calm environment for infant feeding, prayer, or for visitors who need a break from sensory stimulation.
Please note that the Quiet Space may not be available during every Friday Late event. If you require further information, ask a member of staff.
Everyone is welcome to use our Quiet Space
This is a dedicated space designed for you to reflect and reset during your visit. You’re also welcome to infant feed here.
The space can be used
any time during opening hours until
30 minutes before closing.
Before you enter
If the room is occupied, please do not enter. If both rooms are occupied, please ask a member of staff about the nearest alternative space.
Sections of the door are see-through and not fully private
While you are here
Please keep noise to a minimum and do not use devices
No eating or drinking, except for water and infant feeding
You’re welcome to use the items provided but please put them back and leave the room tidy
To respect everyone’s privacy, photography is not permitted
Safety and support
A panic alarm is provided – push it if you ever feel unsafe or need urgent assistance
Staff may enter the room if concerned about safety or wellbeing
Anyone misusing the space may be asked to leave
Thank you for helping us keep this a safe, calm and welcoming space for everyone.
Assistance dogs
We welcome suitably trained assistance dogs at the museum.
To protect the collection in our care and for everyone's comfort and safety, your assistance dog must be under your care and control during your visit.
Where possible, they should remain on lead and wear a relevant tabard or harness. Carrying ID or wearing a jacket is not a condition of entry but assists staff to identify those who may need additional assistance.
In cases where your assistance dog is not registered with ADI, ADUK, IGDF, or a similar organisation, please understand that if it demonstrates behaviour inappropriate to a suitably trained assistance dog, we reserve the right to deny entry to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Such behaviour may include:
lunging
constant barking
jumping up (when not alerting)
pulling strongly on a lead
displaying an aggressive or fearful temperament (e.g. cowering or growling)
poorly cared for dogs that constitute a hygiene risk
Water bowls for assistance dogs are available in the main café and seasonally in the Garden cafe.
If you plan to visit with an assistance animal other than an assistance dog, please get in touch to discuss your request with us at
accessibility@vam.ac.uk
.
Accessible routes and map
V&A South Kensington is an old building that has been added to over the years. There are accessible routes in different parts. Staff can recommend the most convenient route depending on what you’d like to see.
Lifts and stairs are signposted throughout the building. Find them on the
digital map
.
Borrowing mobility aids
Wheelchairs and walking sticks are available at the information desk in the
Grand Entrance
. We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance.
Book a mobility aid
Accessible toilets
There are 13 accessible
toilets
around the museum.
The nearest Changing Places toilet is at the
Science Museum
.
Portable stools
You can pick up stools in a range of galleries. Ask a member of staff if you need help.
Ear defenders for children
We have two sets of child-sized ear defenders available for use at the
Learning Centre
desk. There is no need to book.
Facilities
For more information on facilities, including our cloakroom, café and shops, go to the
V&A South Kensington visit page
.
Our
National Art Library
and
Prints and Drawings Study Room
have:
free access to Windows computers
computer settings that are adaptable to suit your needs
magnification systems (CCTV) for images, text in books and other printed materials
Find out more in our
Study Room Services for People with Disabilities
page.
About the museum
Listen to
audio descriptions
of historic locations in V&A South Kensington, such as the Grand Entrance, Cast Courts and Café.
Europe 1600–1815 galleries
Get the most out of your visit to the Europe 1600–1815 galleries with our
audio guide
.
This includes
five audio description of objects
you can touch in the galleries.
Most galleries and all exhibitions have large print guides.
A selection of films within the galleries includes subtitles. We are working to subtitle all videos in galleries and exhibitions.
Tactile books
Tactile books are available in the following galleries:
RIBA Architecture (
level 3
)
Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art (
level 0, room 42
)
Medieval & Renaissance (
level -1, room 10
)
Sacred Silver & Stained Glass (
level 2, room 83–4
)
The Raphael Court
The display includes tactile, textured versions of
the Raphael Cartoons
.
Each one has a raised QR code that links to an accompanying audio description. Listen on your own mobile device by scanning the code. There are seven 3–4 minute audio descriptions of the Cartoons, and an audio introduction to the Raphael Cartoons which includes an audio description of the Raphael Court.
Available daily from the wooden unit in the Raphael Court (
level 0, room 48a
) . Please ask a member of staff for more information.
Generously supported by The Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation.
Touch objects and samples
There are touch objects and samples in many galleries, especially in
Medieval & Renaissance
(level –1, 0 and 2),
British Galleries 1500 – 1900
(level 1) and
British Galleries 1760 – 1900
(level 3). There are also five touch objects in
Europe 1600 – 1815
(
–
level 1) with an
accompanying audio description
.
Listen to a
Touch Tour playlist
that describes some of our touch objects:
Head of a bodhisattva, China Gallery (
level 0, room 44
)
Ming porcelain vase, China Gallery
(
level 0, room 44
)
Dragon vase, Korean Gallery (
level 0, room 47G
)
Chimney piece from Sir Paul Pindar’s home, Daylit Gallery (
level 1, room 64B
)
Chinese Celadon dish, Ceramics Gallery (
level 4, room 145
)
Glass balustrade, Glass Gallery (
level 3, room 131
)
Metalwork bench, Ironwork Gallery (
level 2, room 114E
)
Marble owl, Sculpture Gallery (
level 2, room 111
)
A Minton tiled column, Silver Gallery
(level 2, room 65
)
Sensory backpacks are available to borrow for an hour from the
Learning Centre
desk.
Each backpack has:
activity book with instructions and a museum map
items to touch and interact with
You can pick from Curious Ceramics, An Adventure in China or Middle Eastern Marvels.
The Curious Ceramics backpack trail is designed by multi-sensory artist Abigail Hirsch, with the help of families from
SENSE
. It has been created for children with visual impairments, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and can be enjoyed by your whole family.
We run dementia-friendly tours, BSL events, relaxed views and touch tours. For a full programme of events see
What's On
.
The following applies to invitation-only events happening outside of museum opening times, including Dinners, Private Views and Early Morning Views. For ticketed events see information provided with your ticket.
Arriving at V&A South Kensington
When you arrive, there will be identifiable V&A Staff to check you into the event and direct you to available facilities at the museum.
For our large-scale events, there may be queues. Contact us at
museumeventsinvite@vam.ac.uk
if you need any assistance or have any questions.
Companions and carers
Companions and carers are very welcome to attend our events and do not need to be part of any guest allowance.
Accessible routes
If you require a step-free route at an event, please contact us, and we will coordinate and provide information on the most suitable route.
Borrowing mobility aids
Wheelchairs and walking sticks are available. We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance. Contact
museumeventsinvite@vam.ac.uk
to book.
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are available at all our events. Please note, however, that there are no accessible Changing Places toilets.
If you'd like to tell us about your accessibility needs or ask a question before your visit, get in touch:
Tel: +44 (0)207 9422 000
Email:
accessibility@vam.ac.uk
.
Visiting the Young V&A?
Read access information