We are committed to ensuring IWM London is accessible to all visitors. Each of our branches has a dedicated accessibility page with detailed information to help you plan your visit.

Access Guides

Our Access Guide to IWM London (PDF, 3.48MB) contains a sensory map and information on the types and locations of accessible resources available at the museum to help you plan your visit. Physical copies are available at the Information Desk on Level 0.

AccessAble have also produced an accessibility guide to IWM London. 

Quieter times to visit

IWM London can sometimes be crowded and noisy. The quietest time to visit the museum is in the afternoons after 3pm. However, the museum can be busy with large groups throughout the day. Our Access Guide has more details on the busiest areas of the museum to help you plan your visit. 

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

Museum entry

  • North Entrance

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    • The North Entrance has nine steps leading up to the door, with two handrails provided for support.
    • Once inside, three extra steps will take you to the start of your visit on Level 1.

  • West Entrance

    • The West Entrance has step-free access.
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    • When facing the naval guns, the West Entrance can be found to the right of the building. Follow the path alongside the building.
    • Wheelchairs are available to borrow from this entrance, on a first come first serve basis. From this entrance you will start your visit on Level 0.

  • Security and bag searches

    For everyone's safety, all bags, rucksacks, packages, and personal items may be searched before entry.

    Wheeled cases, sports equipment, and large luggage is not allowed in the museum.

Information for wheelchair and mobility aid users

Please use our West Entrance for step-free access. Once you are inside the building, it is entirely accessible through lifts and ramps.

Facilities

  • Accessible parking

    There are two designated parking bays for blue badge holders, located off Brook Drive, behind IWM London.

    Please telephone 020 7416 5000 (Monday to Friday) to reserve a space at least one week before your visit. To book you will need to know your:

    • Car model
    • Car registration number
    • Estimated time of arrival
    • Contact phone number

    All parking is subject to availability. 

  • Borrow a wheelchair

    A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available for loan, free of charge. Please telephone us 020 7416 5000 (Monday to Friday) to reserve a wheelchair at least one week in advance of your visit.

    Wheelchairs not pre-booked in advance may be available on the day on a first come, first served basis. They can be collected from the West Entrance.

  • Lockers

    Small lockers are available by the North and West Entrances. The largest lockers are H55cms x W33cms x D43cms. 

    A refundable £1 coin is needed to operate the lockers. Locker token keyrings can be purchased from the shop for £2. 

  • Seating

    Bench seating is available throughout the exhibition spaces. 

    A limited number of folding stools are available to borrow from: 

    • Level 0: Information Desk
    • Level 1: Second World War Galleries
    • Level 2: The Holocaust Galleries
    • Level 3: Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries

  • Quiet Room

    A Quiet Room on level 1 is available for quiet reflection, prayer and for people with sensory needs. The space may also be used by people affected by the content displayed in our galleries. 

  • Lifts

    All lifts in the museum are wheelchair accessible.

  • Sensory backpacks and ear defenders

    Visitors can borrow these items free of charge from the Information Desk on Level 0. Please return after use. They contain: 

    • Ear defenders 
    • Sunflower lanyard 
    • 2 fidget toys 
    • Magnifying glass 
    • Cuddly toy 
    • Pencils and grips 
    • Emotions fan 
    • Reading overlays 
    • Access Guide 

  • 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.

Toilets at IWM London

Gender-neutral accessible toilets 

Six gender-neutral accessible toilets are located:

  • One on Level 0, by the cafe and male toilets
  • Three on Level 1, by the school lunch room (one requires the opening of a fire door to access)
  • One on Level 2, in the Witnesses to War exhibition (requires the opening of a fire door to access)
  • One on Level 3, within the special exhibition (requires opening a fire door to access)

Single-sex ambulant toilets  

Four ambulant toilets for visitors with mobility impairments are located: 

  • Level 0, Atrium toilets, female toilets
  • Level 0, Atrium toilets, male toilets
  • Level 0, West Entrance toilets, female toilets
  • Level 0, West Entrance toilets, male toilets

Changing Places toilet 

One Changing Places toilet is located on Level 0, by the male atrium toilets. 

A radar key is needed to access the Changing Places toilet. The key can be obtained from the Information Desk on Level 0.

The facility is not staffed and users must bring their own slings. The maximum weight limit of the hoist is 200kg. Operating instructions are displayed inside the room.

Gallery information

  • Galleries access

    All galleries and exhibitions have level access but there are some gentle slopes.

    Some galleries are presented in low light for effect, particularly in the First World War Galleries. Please take care when moving around. 

  • Large Print Guides

    Large print guides are available for IWM London's permanent galleries via our Large Print Guides webpage. Special exhibitions large print guides are available inside the gallery.

  • Subtitles

    Videos are accompanied by English subtitles throughout the museum. 

  • British Sign Language (BSL)

    Information points that display a short introductory film in British Sign Language (BSL) are available in each of our permanent galleries: 

    • First World War Galleries, located at the beginning of the gallery
    • Second World War Galleries, located at the beginning and halfway through the gallery
    • The Holocaust Galleries, located at the beginning and halfway through the gallery
    • Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries

    Videos with BSL interpretation are available in the permanent galleries: 

    • Second World War Galleries
    • The Holocaust Galleries
    • The Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries (except for Art Box and silent film)

  • Induction loops

    Videos with Induction loops are available in:

    • The Second World War Galleries
    • The Holocaust Galleries
    • The Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries (except for Art Box and silent film)

  • Braille and Tactile Objects

    Information points with braille and tactile maps are available in each of our galleries:

    • First World War Galleries, located at the gallery entrance
    • Second World War Galleries, located at the gallery entrance and halfway through the gallery
    • The Holocaust Galleries, located at the gallery entrance and halfway through the gallery
    • Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries, located at the gallery entrance

    There four tactile objects on display in the Second World War Galleries and three in the Holocaust Galleries. 

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 are provided at the café. 

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

IWM London is situated within Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park. If your assistance dog needs to relieve themselves, please use the park outside the museum.

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.