Access at Young V&A · V&A
Access at Young V&A
Young V&A
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.
The nearest step-free underground station is Whitechapel (0.8 miles).
For more public transport options,
see our Visit page
or
plan your journey with Transport For London.
Parking near the museum is limited and can’t be booked in advance. The nearest parking spaces are on
Parmiter Street
, approximately 0.2 miles away. There are two Blue Badge parking bays.
Our entrance is step-free and wheelchair accessible.
Tickets
Admission to the museum is free and you don't need to book.
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 times to visit
It is typically quieter during weekday afternoons between 13.00 – 15.00 and towards closing.
Young V&A is especially busy on weekends and during school holidays. If you are visiting during peak times, there may be a short wait to enter the museum.
Assistance dogs
We welcome suitably trained assistance dogs. They must be under your control during your visit. Ideally they should remain on a lead and wear a relevant tabard or harness.
Where possible, dog owners should bring their Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) identification book. Your dog should wear the appropriate tabards or harness, but this is not a requirement for entry.
If your assistance dog is not registered with ADI, ADUK or IGDF, we reserve the right to deny entry to your dog if it does not appear to have been appropriately trained.
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
Our building has step-free access to all public areas.
Lifts are on the right as you enter the Town Square and at the back of the Imagine Gallery. The Play Gallery is accessible via a ramp. If you’d like to see what the space looks like in advance of your visit,
see our visual story
Borrowing a wheelchair or ear defenders
You can borrow a wheelchair or ear defenders during your visit. We recommend booking these at least 24 hours in advance. You can also ask at the Welcome Desk when you arrive.
Book a wheelchair
Accessible toilets
Our accessible toilets are located on the lower-ground floor.
Our Changing Places toilet has a hoist and is larger than a standard accessible toilet. If you need to borrow a RADAR key, ask a member of staff in the Community Room.
Seating
There is plenty of seating throughout the galleries. There are also portable stools available to pick up.
Induction loops
Induction loops are installed at the Welcome Desk, most interactives and areas where events take place such as
The Stage
(level 1) and
Open Studio
(level 2).
Switch your hearing aid to the 'T' position.
Quiet space
Our quiet space, the Reading Room, is on the lower-ground floor. This is a multi-use space calm environment for prayer, reading, infant feeding or for visitors who need a break from sensory stimulation.
Facilities
For more information on our facilities, including our lockers, café and shops, go to the
Young V&A visit page
There are ear cups throughout the main galleries and exhibition with stories and interviews about some of the objects you will see on display. Some have induction loops installed and are identifiable by an assisted listening label.
Transcripts are available in the Large Print Guides in the galleries.
Large print guides are available at the Welcome Desk. For our temporary exhibitions, large print guides are in the space.
All films are subtitled in the galleries and temporary exhibition.
We have three Sensory Design Bags
available for visitors to book out
when visiting Young V&A.
They are available to borrow from the
Community Room desk
on the lower ground floor of the museum.
Each Sensory Design Bag has:
An activity trail with instructions and a museum map
Items to touch and interact with
The activity trails in each bag take you through all three permanent galleries: Play, Imagine and Design. All trails lead to our 'Tactile Stools', designed and made by Max Lamb with the help of the families from
The Together Space
The Sensory Design Bags have been developed through our Sensory Design workshops. The bags have been created for children and young people with sensory differences and additional needs, and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
The three bags you can choose from are:
A Build Bag
A Colour Bag
A Pattern Bag
Wooden tactile books designed by artist Laura Blake explore three objects in the
Sound it Out
display in the Play Gallery: F for Fish, H for House and Z for Zebra.
They are available to pick up from the Welcome Desk – just ask a member of the team.
There are lots of things to touch and interact with in the galleries.
Play (level 1)
Video games in
The Arcade
(induction loop available)
Building blocks in
Build It
(induction loop available)
Marble run and sand spinner in
Moving & Shaking
Books and reading nooks in
Sound it Out
Sound tree in
Mini Museum
(induction loop available)
Imagine (level 1)
The sound machine in
Adventure
Costumes to try on in
The Stage
(induction loop available)
Playable dolls house in
Living Together
Surreal Room telephones in
The Living Room
(induction loop available)
Self portrait studio in
This is Me
Design (level 2)
Touch screens with films in
The Factory
Touch objects in
Designing for Change
Mini skatepark in
Design
Our
visual story
shows you pictures of the museum and how to access our spaces. It gives you an idea of what your visit to the museum will be like.
We run relaxed mornings if you would like to come at a quieter time. For a full programme of events visit
What's On
If you'd like to tell us about your accessibility needs or ask a question before your visit, get in touch:
Tel: +44 (0)20 8983 5200
Email:
accessibility@vam.ac.uk
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