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The museum, IMAX and Pictureville are temporarily closed. Find out about our major transformation.

Accessibility

Find out everything you need to know about accessibility and facilities at the National Science and Media Museum.

General information

The National Science and Media Museum is committed to being open and accessible for everyone. On this page you can find out about accessible facilities and resources across our museum and cinemas.

If you have any specific access requirements or would like to request additional information to support your visit, please call us on 033 0058 0058. Lines are open 09.00–17.00 every day.

Download our full access guide (DOCX) for detailed information about facilities and access in every area of the museum.

You can also visit our page on the AccessAble website for detailed access guides.

In addition to the information on this page, our reopening FAQ contains further details about which facilities are currently available.

Ask at the front desk for an information sheet containing the layout of the museum. A large print version is also available.


Quiet times and pre-visit information

Our quietest times are typically weekday afternoons during term time.

A limited number of quiet spaces are available on request. If you require one during your visit, please speak to a member of staff, who can check the availability and location for you.

Ear defenders are available to borrow from the main information desk.

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.


Accessible parking

There are three accessible parking spaces for blue badge holders at the front of the museum. They are managed by the local council and operate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. They have a maximum stay time of four hours.

There is space for car and coach drop-off directly outside the entrance.

The nearest car parks are Sharpe Street and Radwell Drive, at the rear of the museum. These car parks are council-operated, and charges will apply.

Access to the museum from the front of the building is via a wheelchair-accessible entrance and automatic doors.

Find out more about getting here and parking


Getting around the museum

Borrow a wheelchair

A small number of manual wheelchairs are available for use in the museum. These can be booked in advance by calling 033 0058 0058.

Lifts

A lift can be accessed from the museum foyer on Level 0. It goes to all levels of the museum. The lift is wheelchair-accessible and has audio announcements, Braille and raised buttons.

In the event of an evacuation, evacuation chairs will be used by trained staff.

Assistance 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 animal other than an assistance dog, please get in touch with the Contact Centre to discuss your request, so we can pass onto colleagues working on the day of your visit.

You can email info@ScienceMuseumGroup.ac.uk or telephone 033 0058 0058. Please include the following information:

  • Museum location (e.g. National Science and Media Museum—we are a group of five museums)
  • Visit Date
  • Visit Time
  • Contact details (mobile phone/email)

Unfortunately, we cannot admit pets to our museums.

If you wish to take your assistance animal into one of our cinemas, please let our Box Office staff know when booking so that an aisle seat can be reserved. Our cinema staff will be happy to provide drinking water for your animal.

Accessible toilets, baby changing and Changing Places facilities

Accessible toilets are located on Levels 0, 3 and 5, and in Pictureville Bar.

There is a Changing Places Toilet on Level 0. 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.

You can find more information on the Changing Places website.

Visiting with babies and small children

Our Level 0 accessible toilet has a small Sturdy Station changing table.

There is a buggy parking area outside the Kodak Gallery on Level –1.

Booster seats are available in the Café and all our cinemas. Ask a member of staff if you would like to use one.

The National Science and Media Museum supports the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme.


Wheelchair access in areas of the museum


Accessible resources

Hearing loop facilities and subtitling

Hearing loop facilities are located at the Box Office and Pictureville Bar on Level 0.

Hearing loop systems are also fitted in our three cinemas. To access the system, you will need to ask staff for a hearing loop and then turn your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position.

Pictureville Cinema offers selected subtitled screenings on all screens. Check the Pictureville Cinema listings of subtitled screenings, or call us on 033 0058 0058 for more information.

Audio description

Pictureville Cinema offers audio description for selected screenings on all screens. Check the Pictureville Cinema listings of audio described screenings, or call us on 033 0058 0058 for more information