Accessibility

General Access

A large print, accessibility map is available on entry to the Museum from the Information and Ticket Desks. The map provides information about the location of stairs, lifts, ramps, eating areas and toilets, as well as information on accessible resources.

Accessibility map [PDF 1MB]

Map with info on parking, wheelchair access, lifts, baby changing facilities, assistance dogs & more

Museum floor plans are also available on the network of touchscreen terminals located throughout the museum. Museum staff are on hand to give assistance and can also provide help with the lifts for groups of visitors.

To help plan your visit further information can be obtained by telephoning the following numbers (available Mondays to Fridays 9.30am to 5.00pm):

Enquiry Line: +44 (0)20 7942 4000
Educational group visits: +44 (0)20 7942 4777
Minicom line: +44 (0)20 7942 4445

Wheelchairs

The Museum is fully wheelchair accessible (with the exceptions of the upper levels in Flight and Ships). A limited number of adult and child wheelchairs are available and may either be booked in advance by telephoning 0870 870 4868 or borrowed on the day by asking a member of staff at the Information Desk. The Science Museum would like to thank Goldman Sachs for its support of the innovative Trekinetic wheelchairs.

Lifts

All lifts in the Museum are wheelchair accessible and have audio announcements. The majority of Museum lifts have Braille labelling on the buttons.

Toilets

Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available in the Basement and on the Ground, First, Second and Third floors. They are also available on all floors of the Wellcome Wing. Please refer to the Museum map or the touchscreen information terminals for positions.

Baby changing facilities

Wheelchair-accessible baby changing facilities are available on the Lower Ground floor, in the Basement, on the Ground floor by the Exploring Space gallery and on the Second floor by the Ships gallery.

First Aid Rooms

There are two first aid rooms in the museum, both of which are located on the ground floor. If you require the use of a first aid room please ask a member of staff for assistance.

Assistance Dogs

Guide dogs and hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome throughout the Museum.

BSL Tours

On the first Saturday of each month a British Sign Language interpreter will accompany some of our free family events. Ask staff for more details or visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/bsl.

Induction loops and infrared systems

Induction loops are fitted at the Ticket Desk in the Energy Hall on the Ground floor, at the IMAX 3D Cinema entrance in the Wellcome Wing, in Waterstone’s bookstore, in The Theatre, and at the Information Desk and in the show space in Launchpad. The IMAX 3D Cinema is equipped with an infrared system. Headsets are available on request.

Braille resources

Braille information books are available for use in Launchpad and can be requested at the Launchpad Information Desk.

Parking

There are four parking spaces available for use by blue badge holders on Exhibition Road outside the Main Entrance to the Science Museum. There are twelve in total on Exhibition Road. These are controlled by the local borough council rather than the Museum and cannot be booked in advance. If no parking spaces are available on arrival, please ask one of the staff at the entrance to the Museum for assistance.

Cloakroom

There is a cloakroom located on the Lower Ground floor which can be accessed via the stairway and glass lifts at the front of the building. £1.10 per item or £3.30 for unlimited items.

Places to eat

The Revolution Café is located in the Energy Hall on the ground floor and is a self-service café with moveable seating, some of which have backs and arms.

The Deep Blue Café is located on the ground floor of the Welcome Wing and provides a waiter service. If you have specific dietary requirements, please call the Enquiry Line in advance of your visit so that we can help to cater for your visit (this service is only available at the Deep Blue Café).

If you would like to book a table in either the Revolution Café or the Deep Blue Café please call the Enquiry Line in advance of your visit.

The Eat Drink Shop is located in the basement and provides hot and cold snacks.

Allergy information is provided on food packaging and on menus.

Picnic areas are located in the Basement and on the Third floor.

Temporary Exhibitions

There is a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions, if you require further information please contact the Enquiry Line.

Hands-on galleries

The Science Museum has a number of interactive galleries where visitors are encouraged to interact with the exhibits through vision, sound and cognitive ability. These galleries include The Garden in the Basement, Pattern Pod on the Ground floor, Energy on the Second floor and Launchpad on the Third floor.

Most of these areas are staffed by Explainers - our professional science communicators who provide personal guidance, explanations and demonstrations on gallery. These galleries can sometimes become very crowded and visitors with additional needs are advised to contact our Enquiry Line or our Education Bookings before their visit. All interactive galleries are marked by a hands-on symbol on the map.

IMAX 3D Cinema

Disabled visitors receive concessionary prices for IMAX 3D Cinema and an enabler/support person is eligible for free entry.

Lift access is available to both the front and the rear of the IMAX 3D Cinema. For access to the IMAX visitors should make their way to the IMAX Ticket Desk on the Ground floor of the Wellcome Wing, where staff will be happy to assist. An accessible toilet is provided at the rear of the cinema.

There are 4 permanent wheelchair spaces in the cinema which are located in two areas. However, the seating can be adjusted to accommodate further wheelchairs. This requires 48 hours notice, so if you are planning to visit in a group/party please contact the Enquiry Line in advance to book seating. Guide dogs are welcome in the cinema.

Please note that the IMAX experience is immersive and can be overwhelming as it contains loud sounds, high visual stimulation and sudden perceived movements.

Simulators

Disabled visitors receive concessionary pricing on all simulators and an enabler/support person is eligible for free entry.

The Force Field motion effects simulation theatre can be reached by stairs or a chairlift. All other simulators are accessed via steps, due to manufacturer design.

Please note that the simulator experience is immersive and can be overwhelming as it contains loud sounds, high visual stimulation and sudden movements. In addition, there are specific restrictions which apply to each simulator, if you require more information please contact the Enquiry Line.