We aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors and the widest possible access to our buildings, exhibitions and collections.
Last updated 11 March
Visitors with access requirements and their accompanying family members and personal carers can skip the queues to enter the Museum. When you arrive please approach a member of staff at an entrance for assistance.
For more information about accessing the Museum:
We offer free companion tickets to paid exhibitions. Find out what's on.
Your bags may be searched when you arrive at the Museum. Please do not bring any sharp objects, including knives and scissors, as they may be confiscated.
Smoking (including the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products) is not permitted in our buildings or gardens.
Find out more about the security and safety measures we have in place.
Central Entrance on Cromwell Road what3words: ///chose.wonderfully.star
East Entrance on Exhibition Road what3words: ///limit.take.admits
West Entrance on Queen’s Gate what3words: ///plenty.voter.late
You can enter the Museum through any of our three main entrances.
By Tube
The nearest Tube station is South Kensington. It’s about a five-minute walk from both our Central Entrance via our East Gate and our East Entrance. Piccadilly, District and Circle line trains stop at South Kensington. This station is not step free but there’s a lift from the platforms to the station. From the station use the subway tunnel for step-free access to our Central Entrance via our Subway Gate.
Gloucester Road station is about a 12-minute walk from our Central Entrance and a seven-minute walk from our West Entrance. Piccadilly, District and Circle line trains stop at Gloucester Road. This station is not step free but has a lift.
Find the quickest route to visit us by using Transport for London's Journey Planner.
Several bus routes stop near the Museum. Visit Transport for London's website for details.
There are cycle racks on Exhibition Road. The nearest Santander Cycles docking stations are on Exhibition Road and on Thurloe Place, near South Kensington Tube station.
For groups travelling by coach, the drop-off point is outside the main entrance on Cromwell Road.
We do not have parking facilities on-site and parking around the Museum is limited.
We have a very limited number of parking spaces on site for Blue Badge holders. Availability cannot be guaranteed. Please book in advance by calling us on +44 (0)20 7942 5000. You can access these spaces via Queen's Gate, SW7 5HD, to the west of the Museum.
There are also twelve Blue Badge parking spaces on Exhibition Road. These spaces are managed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and cannot be booked in advance. You can park there for four hours between 8.30 and 18.30. Find out more on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's website.
Both cloakrooms are open for the full range of services, including coats.
The cloakroom at the main entrance on Cromwell Road is available for large bags and suitcases only.
Large and wheeled suitcases that cannot be carried must be left in the cloakrooms (see prices below). This is subject to availability of space, so we recommend to avoid bringing such items if possible.
Luggage is charged according to weight.
Prices per item:
Umbrellas: £2
Coats: £3
Folded pushchairs: £4
Folded bike: £4
Bags weighing less than 4kg: £4
Bags weighing more than 4kg: £5
Museum Members can use the cloakrooms free of charge. The same restrictions apply.
We do not have parking facilities on-site and parking around the Museum is limited. Find out other ways to get to the Museum.
We have a very limited number of parking spaces on site for Blue Badge holders. Availability cannot be guaranteed. Book in advance by calling +44 (0)20 7942 5000 and asking to speak to the Security Reception team. You can access these spaces via Queen's Gate to the west of the Museum.
There are also 12 Blue Badge parking spaces on Exhibition Road, which are managed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and cannot be booked in advance. You can park there for four hours between 8.30-18.30. More information on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's website.
Photography for personal use is permitted in the Museum with hand-held cameras only.
Find out more about our commercial filming and photography opportunities.
All toilets are open. The restrooms are cleaned regularly.
Wheelchair-accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities are clearly marked on the Museum map.
Lifts are marked on the Museum map. Please use the stairs where possible to ensure lifts are available for those who need them.
You can borrow wheelchairs for free from the cloakrooms just inside the main entrance on Cromwell Road and the Exhibition Road entrance.
Assistance dogs and guide dogs are welcome at the Museum and in our gardens. Please leave non-assistance dogs and other animals at home. If you have any questions around assistance animals please contact us in advance of your visit.
We have resources and events to support children and families with neurodiverse conditions.
These spaces usually have lower noise levels and fewer people than the rest of the Museum. They all provide seating and are marked on the Museum map.
Read more about these spaces in our quiet spaces and galleries guide. Pick up a hard copy of the guide from the information desks when you arrive.
Enjoy an early morning visit to the Museum, free from the hustle and bustle of the general public. Visitors have access to a wide range of galleries and activities, supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators.
Free, ticket required
Take an audio-described tour of Hintze Hall, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. There are 24 guides to choose from.
Audio-described guides are available for: Hintze Hall, our Gardens, Human Evolution and Volcanoes and Earthquakes.
Ground floor audio description and orientation. The information desk is no longer in the space.
41:16, MP3 (37.8MB)
Described navigation of our new gardens alongside information and stories from scientists, Museum staff and other experts.
Gallery audio description. Some changes have been made to the gallery, which aren't reflected in this guide.
33:18, MP3 (72.6MB)
Gallery audio description and orientation. Some changes have been made to the orientation and displays, which aren't reflected in this guide.
42:30, MP3 (43MB)
First floor audio description and orientation. The information desk is no longer in the space.
40:28, MP3 (37.1MB)
Listen to audio description of the gallery's object labels, or read the online transcript.
Listen to audio descriptions of a selection of images from the sixtieth Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Gallery audio description and orientation. Some changes have been made to the orientation and displays, which aren't reflected in this guide.
33:18, MP3 (72.6MB)
Tactile and Braille books and large-print gallery guides are available for some of our temporary exhibitions and can be collected in-gallery.
If you need any other assistance during your visit to the Museum our staff will be happy to help you.
We welcome guide dogs at the Museum, however, guide dogs are not allowed on our Spirit Collection Tours. If you need help with access talk to staff at the information desks or call us on +44 (0)207 942 5000.
Hearing loops are built in at our information desks, and at various points in the Darwin Centre and Images of Nature gallery.
The Museum runs British Sign Language deaf-led tours around the fascinating spirit collection.
You'll see Archie, the 8.62-metre-long giant squid, view specimens collected by Charles Darwin and learn more about how the collections are used for our scientific research.
Adult: £35, Child: £35, Members: £28
The Museum has Deaf Messaging Services (DMS) installed. The DMS are linked to the Museum’s fire alarm system and can notify DMS subscribers to a fire alarm activation via their mobile phone. Three DMS zones cover the Museum’s public buildings.
Please be aware that you will not receive DMS texts and calls if your phone has no signal. You will need internet connection to receive WhatsApp messages or emails.
How to unsubscribe
Please be aware you will not receive DMS texts if you have no phone signal.
How to unsubscribe
Sometimes we need to close galleries and spaces around the Museum to allow for essential maintenance or events.
Last updated 24 April 2025
Closed spaces:
Lifts:
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Enjoy an early morning visit free from the hustle and bustle of the public. With access to a wide range of galleries and activities, supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators.
Various dates
08.00–10.00
Free, tickets required
Join John Wilson behind the scenes for a British Sign Language deaf-led tour around the Museum's fascinating spirit collection.
Various dates
Adult: £35, Child: £35, Member: £28
Disabled visitors can see the newest edition of Wildlife Photographer of the Year away from daytime crowds.
10.00–11.00 every other Wednesday and Saturday
Various prices
This is a quiet, naturally lit room used for prayer and reflection. Please speak to our staff in Hintze Hall if you wish to use the room.
Discover what you can see and do in our free galleries, and where to eat, drink and shop. Find your way around with the Museum map.
Find access information for the Museum at Tring, Hertfordshire and all you need to know for a great day out.
