We are committed to ensuring IWM North is accessible to all visitors and hope the facilities we have introduced enhance your visit.

Access Guides

Our Access Guide to IWM North (PDF, 1.22MB) contains a sensory map and information on the types and locations of accessible resources available at the museum to help you plan your visit.

We have partnered with AccessAble to create an accessibility guide to each floor of IWM North. 

Quieter times to visit

The mornings are often our busiest time as we welcome school groups to the museum. Weekends, public holidays and school holidays are busiest periods across the galleries, shop and café. 

Join us for a relaxed late opening of IWM North on Tuesday 17 February 2026. Visit our late opening events page for more information. 

Museum entry

  • Museum entrance and exit

  • Security and bag searches

    For the safety and security of all visitors, bag searches may be conducted before entry. 

Information for wheelchair and mobility aid users

All galleries are accessible via lifts and ramps. The floor has a gentle slope throughout the exhibition space.

Facilities

  • Lifts

    There are lifts to all floors at IWM North. 

  • Accessible toilets

    Accessible toilets and baby change facilities are on the ground floor and are signposted. 

  • Lockers

    Small lockers are available. A refundable £1 is needed to operate the lockers. A trolley token can be purchased from the shop for £2. 

  • Borrow a wheelchair

    Three manual wheelchairs are available for loan on a first come, first served basis. These are provided free of charge (subject to availability) and are located on the ground floor between the café and the toilets. 

  • Seating

    Seating is available throughout the building. Please be aware that seating in the Main Exhibition Space is in the centre of the room. 

  • Quiet Room

    There is a quiet room with seating located on the ground floor available for use. 

  • First Aid

    If you require First Aid during your visit, please approach a volunteer or member of staff. They can contact one of our trained First Aid responders.

  • Sensory backpacks and ear defenders

    Visitors can borrow these items free of charge from the Admissions Desk. Please return after use. They contain: 

    • Ear defenders
    • Sunflower lanyard
    • 2 fidget toys
    • A simple map
    • Magnifying glass
    • Cuddly toy
    • Pencils and grips
    • Emotions fan
    • Reading overlays 

  • Accessible parking

    There are designated parking bays for people with disabilities. Please note that charges apply for all parking at IWM North. Parking can be paid by card payment only, or within 24 hours online. Parking is paid at the end of your visit. 

    • 7 parking bays are located on the Tank side of the car park, near the parking machine.
    • 7 parking bays are located near the back fence (near the Quayside). 
    • There are 2 parent and child bays near the disabled parking bays.

Gallery information

The museum can be a disorientating space for visitors due to its design, there may be experiences in the museum that visitors may be sensitive to.

  • Main Exhibition Space 

    The building is designed to encourage visitors to consider the confusion experienced during conflict. 

    As a result, the floor of the Main Exhibition Space has a gentle slope and visitors with mobility impairments may wish to take extra care in this area. 

  • Exhibition lighting and sound

    Every hour, the Big Picture Show is projected onto the walls in the Main Exhibition Space. During this time the exhibition space will be dark and there will be loud sound effects and flashing images. The shows are all under 10 minutes long.

    There is an announcement about the Big Picture Show 5 minutes prior and an introduction before the film starts playing. Ear defenders are available to borrow from the shop if you require them, or you are welcome to leave the Main Exhibition Space during this time. 

  • The Special Exhibitions Gallery and WaterWay space

    Sensory experiences and access provisions may vary depending on the exhibition displays. 

    For more information about current and upcoming exhibitions, tours and events, visit the IWM North What's on page. 

  • Induction loops

    Induction loop systems are in place at the admissions desk, in the shop and in the café. There are portable headsets available in the shop at no charge for the audio of the Big Picture Show. 

    To use these you must be facing the accessible screen (marked as ‘CAP’) on the map. 

  • Large Print Guides

    There are large print guides for the exhibition interpretation in the Main Exhibition Spaces. 

    These are located in slots in the wall next to the display cases. 

  • British Sign Language (BSL)

    British sign language interpretation is available on all Big Picture Shows, this is on the access screen in the centre of the exhibition space. 

  • Subtitles

    Subtitles are shown on the Big Picture Shows, this is on the access screen in the centre of the exhibition space. 

    Please ask a member of staff if you need more information on this, or look for ‘CAP’ on the map. 

Assistance animals and animal safety

We understand that some visitors will require the support of an assistance dog and we are happy to admit trained assistance dogs into our branches.

Where possible, we encourage assistance dog owners to bring identification from organisations such as:

  • Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
  • Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK)
  • The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)

We also ask that assistance dogs wear the appropriate tabard or harness. Not carrying ID or wearing a jacket is not a condition of entry but assists staff to identify those who may need additional assistance.

In cases where your assistance dog is not registered with ADI, ADUK, or IGDF, please understand that if it demonstrates inappropriate behaviour, we reserve the right to deny entry to ensure the safety and comfort of our staff, volunteers, and visitors. 

If you plan to bring more than one assistance dog or have multiple assistance dogs within your group, we request that you contact us in advance. This will help us ensure there are no delays in gaining access and we can meet the needs of the entire party. 

For those intending to visit us with an assistance animal other than a dog, please contact us using our form in advance to discuss your request. This is so that we can ensure there are no delays to your admission, and we are able to facilitate your visit. 

Water bowls for assistance dogs are available at the Visitor Centre.  

Our branches are unique and historical spaces. They are unusual environments which can confuse or distress animals.

If your assistance dog needs to relieve themselves, please leave the museum space and visit nearby outside spaces.  

Further information

If you have a question or need any further details, contact customer services on: 020 7091 3067 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm UK time) or fill out our contact us form.