Access and facilities

Braille

Museum entrances

The Main entrance to the Museum on Great Russell Street has 12 steps with handrails at each side. There are self-operable lifts on both sides of the steps, with bells for visitors to call for assistance if required.

There is a level entrance to the Museum on Montague Place and a lift to the different floors in the Museum.

Information Desk

The Information Desk is in the Great Court
+44 (0)20 7323 8299
information@britishmuseum.org


Access information

Lifts

There are lifts throughout the Museum and the vast majority of galleries, and all special exhibitions are fully accessible. You can find out the location of the lifts and how to get to the galleries by picking up a free plan of the Museum from the Information Desk in the Great Court.

Guide dogs

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. Dog bowls are available from the Information Desk.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available at both entrances. Please contact us on +44 (0)20 7323 8299 before your visit if you would like to ensure that a wheelchair will be available.

Large print guides

There are large print versions of What’s on, the free plan of the Museum and selected gallery guides. These are available from the Information Desk.

Magnifying glasses

You can borrow a magnifying glass from the Information Desk; a £5 deposit will be required.

Sign language

Some of our talks are sign interpreted. For details, pick up What's on from the Information Desk.

Touch tours and handling sessions

A touch tour is available for the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery (Room 4) and the Parthenon Sculptures (Room 18). Please ask at the Information Desk for further details.

Sound enhancement system

A sound enhancement system with portable induction loops is available for most gallery talks and to support sign-interpreted tours. For more information on this service, please ask at the Information Desk.

Parking

There is limited parking in the Museum’s forecourt for disabled users only. You can arrange this by telephoning the Information Desk on +44 (0)20 7323 8299. Please provide details of the registration number, make and model of the vehicle together with the date of your visit.

Filming

Photography with flash and video recording is permitted in most galleries for private purposes only, using hand-held equipment. For commercial photography and filming please see business services.


Facilities

Cloakrooms

The main cloakroom is to the west of the Main entrance, £1 per item. Large luggage can be left at the cloakroom by the Montague Place entrance, £1 per item.

Luggage restrictions

Personal hand luggage – hand luggage must be no larger than 39cm x 33cm x 13 cm. Anything larger than this must be left in the Museum’s cloakrooms.

Large luggage – you may not bring a large rucksack or suitcase into the Museum. There are limited storage facilities for large bags in the cloakroom by the Montague Place entrance. If you are leaving a large bag here, please use the Montague Place entrance to access the cloakroom facilities and do not walk through the Museum.

The Museum reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to vary or alter these conditions without prior notice.

Lost property

Lost property is to the west of the Main entrance, at the main cloakroom.

Toilets

There are toilets on every floor of the Museum. Accessible toilets are located in the Great Court, the Ford Centre for Young Visitors, the Clore Education Centre and to the north of Room 66.

Babies

There are baby feeding rooms in the Ford Centre for Young Visitors and near the East stairs.

Baby changing facilities:
Ford Centre for Young Visitors
Great Court
East stairs
North stairs (level 0)
North stairs (level 3)

Bags and buggies

If you need to leave bags or other equipment while you visit, there are lockers (£1 deposit) in the Ford Centre for Young Visitors. Please note, this closes at 17.00 daily.

More information about visiting the Museum with children

Contact

If you have any additional enquiries about access services at the Museum, please contact our Information Desk on +44 (0)20 7323 8299
 
Download our Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan (pdf 92Kb)

See Also

The American Scene

Prints from Hopper to Pollock

Shop online
The American Scene catalogue