Welcome to the National Science and Media Museum, where you can discover the transformative impact of image and sound technologies on our lives.
Admission and tickets
Entry to the museum is free. You can book tickets for the museum and our cinemas online in advance.
We recommend you book tickets online, particularly during busy periods. Walk-up entry is available each day for those who arrive without advance bookings. If visitor numbers are very high, non-ticket holders may have a longer wait to gain entry.
Please consider supporting our vital work, either by donating online or using one of the contactless donation points in the museum.
You should find all the information you need to plan a visit on this page. If you have any further questions, you can contact us.
Admission guidelines
Children under 12 must be always accompanied by an adult. Children aged 13–17 must provide their parents' or guardians' contact details at the time of arrival in case of an emergency on site. Other age restrictions may apply for particular experiences in the museum; for example, our cinemas.
Any exceptions or changes to our opening times will be listed on this page. If you have questions about admission to the museum, read our full admission guidelines (PDF). The guidelines provide details of our conditions of entry, restricted items, and other useful information.
Current closures
The following galleries and spaces are currently closed as we complete the museum’s transformation through our Sound and Vision project:
- PowerUp (Level 6)—reopening April 2025
- Gallery 1 (Level 1)—reopening April 2025
- Level 3—reopening June 2025
- Level 5—reopening June 2025
The following galleries are permanently closed:
- Animation
- Experience TV
- Games Lounge
Accessibility
Read more about access and facilities at the museum here.
If you have any special requirements, call us on 033 0058 0058 and we’ll help you arrange your visit.
Getting here
Museum floor plan
Food and drink
Café: Open daily, 10.00–16.00
Pictureville Bar: Open Wednesday to Sunday for cinema customers
Our café and bar serve delicious food and a wide range of drinks.
We have limited picnic spaces available onsite and you may need to wait for a seat to become available. Please speak to a member of staff for the location on the day.
WiFi access
Free WiFi is available throughout the museum. Look for the ‘Free Museum WiFi’ network.
