UK
Accessibility | Science Museum
Accessibility | Science Museum
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The Science Museum is committed to being open for all. Find information about our accessible facilities and who to contact if you need to know more.
Please note:
We're currently building new galleries in the museum so there may be some additional noise during your visit. Routes around the museum may be affected. Details will be published on the
visit pages
and signage will be in place, on site.
Please be aware that there is currently no step-free access to the mezzanine level in
Making the Modern World
and
Flight
galleries. We apologise for any inconvenience.
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Need more information?
CALL:
033 0058 0058
EMAIL:
[email protected]
In this page
Contact Information
Visit information
Contact Information
To help plan your visit, get in touch with our
Contact Centre
Phone
line:
+44 (0)33 0058 0058 (available 09.00–17.00 seven days a week)
Email:
[email protected]
Visit information
For full
travel information go to the Visit page
Accessible parking
A small number of accessible parking spaces are available on Exhibition Road. Blue Badge holders may park in these spaces for four hours between 08.30 and 18.30. These spaces are controlled by the council rather than the museum and cannot be booked in advance.
For more information, please see
the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s website
Maps
Sensory map
Maps are located throughout the museum. A Sensory Map, French, Spanish and Italian Language Maps are available at the Information Desk, L0.
Download maps in advance of your visit
Braille and Raised line Floorplan
A Braille and raised line floorplan of the Museum is available at the Information Desk in Energy Hall, level 0. Tactile Maps are also available for I
nformation Age
and
Medicine Galleries
Visual Story and 360 Tour
To help you prepare for a visit we have a
visual story
and
360 tour of our galleries
You can find a series of Gallery Introduction videos on a dedicated
Science Museum Learning You Tube Channel.
Quiet times and Ear Defenders
Please note:
We're currently building new galleries in the museum so there may be some additional noise during your visit.
The museum is less busy and generally quieter from mid-afternoon on weekdays in term time.
Queues may form at the entrance to the museum. If this presents a barrier, please approach a member of staff who will be able to grant you priority entry.
Ear defenders are available at the Information and Tickets desk (Level 0), IMAX Box Office (Level 0) and Wonderlab ticket desk (Level 3).
To help familiarise yourself with the museum and galleries ahead of your visit, you can find a series of Gallery Introduction videos on our
Learning page
. You can also explore
our museum collection online
or view a
360 tour of our galleries
We have also created a
visual story
and
sensory map
to help you plan your visit to the museum. .
Ear defenders are available at the Information and Tickets desk(Level 0), IMAX Box Office (Level 0) and
Wonderlab
ticket desk (Level 3).
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme
We welcome and support visitors who choose to wear a Sunflower item as part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme. Please note that we do not provide Sunflower items.
Find out more about the scheme on the
Hidden Disabilities website
Lifts
For step free routes across the museum check the museum map or ask a member of staff. The majority of lifts have audio announcements and Braille labelling on the buttons.
Toilets and baby changing
Changing Places toilet
Changing places toilet
Changing Places Toilet on L0 next to the Hans Rausing Lecture Theatre. It is equipped with hoist, changing bench and centrally located toilet. The toilet is accessible with a RADAR key. If you have forgotten your key please ask a member of staff for access. Full details can be found on the
Changing Places Toilet Map
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are available on all levels of the museum. Please refer to the museum map or ask a member of staff for locations.
Accessible baby changing facilities
Accessible baby changing facilities are available in the following areas:
Level -1: access via Lift A and Lift D
Level 0: Near Lift F
Level 1: access via Staircase D and Lift F
Level 2: access lift B, Lift D and Lift F
Level 3: access via lift F
Borrow a wheelchair or folding stool
A limited number of wheelchairs are available.
You can book a manual wheelchair in advance by calling 033 0058 0058. You can also borrow a wheelchair or folding stool on the day by asking a member of staff at the Information Desk.
Guide and assistant animals
Working guide and assistance animals are welcome at the museum. They should be appropriately trained, supervised and kept with you at all times, ideally on a leash. Where possible, dog owners should bring their Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) identification book and animals should wear the appropriate tabards or harness, but this is not a requirement for entry.
If you plan to visit with an assistance animal other than an assistance dog, please get in touch with the Contact Centre via email at
[email protected]
or by phone at 033 0058 0058, so we can pass your details onto colleagues working on the day of your visit.
Please provide the following information:
Museum location (we are a group of five museums)
Visit date
Visit time
Contact details (mobile/email)
Unfortunately, we cannot admit pets to our museums.
Places to eat
The Energy Café is located in the Energy Hall on Level 0. It is a self-service café with moveable seats, some of which have backs and arm rests.
The Space Cafe is located in the West Hall on Level 0 is both a self-service café and serviced restaurant. It has both fixed and moveable seats, some of which have backs and arms.
You are welcome to bring your own food and drink, which you can enjoy in one of our dedicated picnic areas:
The picnic terrace on Level -1
The seating area on Level 1 near
Technicians
The seating area on Level 2 near Galley Café
The Picnic area on Level 3
Allergy information is provided on food packaging and on menus.
Check the opening times of our cafés and restaurants.
Our picnic spaces will be shared with school groups.
Hearing Loops
Hearing loops are fitted at all ticket and information desks. They can also be found in the Hans Rausing Lecture Theatre on Level 0 and in the show space of
Wonderlab
on Level 3.
Hearing loops are incorporated into most audio exhibits. Please note hearing loops are not working in the Information Age Story Boxes. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
We have five assistive listening headsets for the IMAX: The Ronson Theatre. Please speak to a member of staff at the IMAX ticket desk on Level 0 and they will be able to help.
British Sign Language and Captions
British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation is incorporated into a number of films and the majority of gallery-based films have captions.
Large Print Books and Transcripts
Large print books are available across a number of galleries and temporary exhibitions.
You can also
download from our website
ahead of a visit or in galleries where you see a QR code. The Science Museum offers free WiFi if you wish to download the texts during your visit.
Touch Objects
A tactile object in Information Age Gallery
Touchable objects are located in five galleries:
Information Age
Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
Science City 1550–1800: The Linbury Gallery, Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery and Who am I?
They are accompanied by large print and Braille labels. Volunteer-led
Object handling desks
are also available across a number of galleries. Check out the website for scheduled times and locations.
Audio Eyes App
and Audio trails
For
Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
and
Information Age
, audio description can be accessed through the
Audio Eyes app
, on your personal devise, free to download for iOS. It provides audio-only descriptions for key objects and tactile displays and enables you to roam freely through the gallery. Please be aware that headphones are required when using the app.
An Audio Described trail is available in
Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery, Level 1
via QR codes.
Quiet spaces and taking a break
If you need a calm place during your visit, quiet spaces are available throughout the museum. These include our Family Room and other low-sensory areas.
You can find these on the
museum map
or ask a member of staff for directions at any time. You can plan ahead with our
sensory map
to identify quieter routes and galleries.
arly Birds
On Early Birds dates, the museum opens at 08.00 so that families with children who need a quieter environment can enjoy the Museum free of the hustle and bustle of the general public.
Find out more about Early Birds
Night Owls
The museum opens from 18.30–21.30 on Night Owls evenings, which are for those 16 years and over to have a relaxed environment to explore the Museum.
Find out more about Night Owls
SENsory Astronights
SENsory Astronights is a relaxed, after-dark exploration of the Science Museum for children with special educational needs and disabilities. From science shows to camping in one of our iconic galleries, it will be a night that you and your child will never forget.
Find out more about SENsory Astronights
If you have any questions about these events, please email
[email protected]
Training and Awareness
We welcome and support visitors who choose to wear a Sunflower item as part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme. Find out more about the scheme on the
Hidden Disabilities website
Visit the following page for
accessibility information for Wonderlab
Visit the following page for
accessibility information for Imax