Accessibility at the Museum

• Our free audio descriptive guide is available on the Soundcloud website (opens in a new tab).
• You don't need a SoundCloud account to listen to it.
• There are 153 audio descriptions, covering object descriptions and gallery overviews.
• The descriptions provide detailed information about objects along with curators' commentaries.
• You can link to and embed these guides, and share the links to them, provided it's for personal, non-commercial use only. All recordings are © The Trustees of the British Museum. 

Take a self-guided tour of the Museum using our Audio app:

• 65 gallery introductions available for free.  
• Available in various languages.
• Download the app via the App Store or Google Play Store (both links open in a new tab).  
• Visit the Audio app page for more information.  

Exhibitions

• Large print guides are available for all paid-for exhibitions and can be downloaded from the access section of the relevant exhibition page.  
• There are a limited number of hard copies of large print guides for special exhibitions – please speak to staff at the exhibition entrance for more information.
• Please don't forget to return large print guides at the end of your visit.  
• Large print guides are available for some free exhibitions.    

Galleries

Large print guides are available to view online for the following galleries in the access section of the gallery page:  

• Room 2a: Waddesdon Bequest (funded by the Rothschild Foundation)
• Room 18: Greece: Parthenon  
• Room 24: Living and Dying (The Wellcome Trust Gallery)  
• Room 41: Sutton Hoo and Europe (The Sir Paul and Lady Ruddock Gallery)
• Room 61: Egyptian life and death (The Michael Cohen Gallery)
• Room 67: Korea (The Korea Foundation Gallery)
• Room 68: Money
• Room 95: Chinese ceramics – Sir Percival David Collection (The Sir Joseph Hotung Centre for Ceramic Studies)

• Touch objects from the collection and learn about them from one of our volunteers at our Hands-on desks in some of our galleries.  
• Free sessions run daily from 11.00–16.00, subject to availability.  
• Find out more on our Tours and talks page. 

We offer two free touch tours, available as guided or self-guided experiences, in:  

• Room 4: The Egyptian Sculpture gallery
• Room 18 and 18b: The Parthenon galleries

Guided touch tours

• Book a place on the Egyptian Sculpture (Room 4) or Parthenon (Room 18 and 18b) touch tours by emailing [email protected] at least two weeks before your visit.
• Please include the following information in your email:
  • Your contact details
  • The number of blind and partially-sighted people in your party
  • The number of access companions (if applicable)
  • Your preferred date and time.

Self-guided touch tours

The Egyptian sculpture gallery (Room 4) touch tour:

• Explore nine highlight objects by touch.
• The tour's audio descriptive guide (opens in a new tab) is available on the Soundcloud website.
• View the large print guide (opens in a new tab) or get one from the Information Desk in the Great Court.
• Pick up a braille book with raised tactile drawings from the Information Desk.

The Parthenon galleries (Room 18 and 18b) touch tour:

• Explore 12 stops introducing key sculptures that decorated the Parthenon.  
• The tour's audio descriptive guide (opens in a new tab) is available on the Soundcloud website.
• Supporting materials for this self-guided touch tour are available from the Information Desk:
  • Large print guide
  • Tactile drawings with braille information.

• There are a limited number of hard copies of tactile and braille guides for special exhibitions.  
• Please speak to staff at the exhibition entrance for more information. 

Take a self-guided tour of the Museum with our British Museum BSL video guides.  

BSL YouTube channel (opens in a new tab): 

• Access over 200 BSL videos covering object descriptions and gallery overviews.
• All the videos have English captions.  

Audio app:

• Available in various languages, including BSL.
• Download the Audio app for free and on the language page, select 'British Sign Language' to access the free BSL video guides.
• All other language versions include transcripts.  
• Download the app via the App Store or Google Play Store (both links open in a new tab).
• Visit the Audio app page for more information. 
   

All audio-visual displays in the Museum made after September 2020 have captions. 

• We offer a range of accessible events related to current exhibitions and the permanent collection.
• These include Deaf-led British Sign Language tours.
• View all upcoming accessible events. 

Induction loops are installed at the:  

• Ticket Desk in the Great Court
• Clore Centre for Education

Use our sensory map (opens in a new tab) to identify sensory-friendly spaces in the Museum – you can pick up a free paper sensory map at the Information Desk in the Great Court. 

• We offer a range of accessible events related to current exhibitions and the permanent collection.  
• These include relaxed evening events designed for neurodivergent people and anyone with disabilities or sensory needs.
• Occasionally, we run relaxed morning events for families with neurodiverse children.
• View all upcoming accessible events. 

• Touch objects from the collection and learn about them from one of our volunteers at our Hands-on desks, in some of our galleries.  
• Free sessions run daily from 11.00–16.00, subject to availability.
• Find out more on our Tours and talks page. 

Ear defenders are available to borrow from the Information Desk. 

• Sensory support backpacks are a fun way to help families explore the Museum.  
• They include an activity booklet to guide you around the Museum, with information about the collection and fun sensory-based activities you can complete along the route.
• Backpacks are available from the Families Desk in the Great Court, open on weekends and school holidays from 10.00–16.30.
• For more details, see the Family backpacks page.

Take a self-guided tour of the Museum using our Audio app:

• 65 gallery introductions available for free.  
• Available in various languages.
• Download the app via the App Store or Google Play Store (both links open in a new tab).  
• Visit the Audio app page for more information. 

• A limited number of manual wheelchairs (non-motorised) are available to pre-book for free before your visit.
• If you'd like to reserve a wheelchair, please:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: +44 (0)20 7323 8181  
  • Allow at least two working days' notice for reservations.
  • Please note that the Box Office that processes these reservations is closed on weekends and Bank Holidays.

Collection and return

• Collect your wheelchair at the Main entrance on Great Russell Street – view Museum map.
• Return it to either the Main entrance on Great Russell Street or the Montague Place entrance.

Please note

• Wheelchairs cannot be taken outside the Museum site.  
• The Museum is unable to provide staff assistance around the Museum for wheelchair users. 

• If you have a Class 3 vehicle you will be asked to set the speed limiter to 4mph (6.44 km/hour).
• Please slow down in busy areas and be mindful of others who may not be able to move out of your way quickly.
• For safety reasons, you cannot charge your vehicle on our premises. 

• A step-free, easy access route is available at the Main entrance on Great Russell Street for visitors with accessibility needs.
• See Arriving at the Museum below for more details.
• See Getting around the Museum for information about:
  • Lifts and access to galleries  
  • Accessible toilets 

• We offer a range of accessible events related to current exhibitions and the permanent collection.  
• These include relaxed evening events designed for neurodivergent people and anyone with disabilities or sensory needs.
• View all upcoming accessible events. 

• Our staff are trained to support visitors with hidden disabilities.
• If you have an issue relating to your hidden disability when visiting the Museum, speak to a member of Museum staff at the Information Desk in the Great Court. 

• We support visitors who choose to wear a Sunflower item as part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme.    
• The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent.
• Find out more about the scheme on the Hidden Disabilities website (opens in a new tab). 

• We offer a range of accessible events related to current exhibitions and the permanent collection.  
• These include relaxed evening events designed for neurodivergent people and anyone with disabilities or sensory needs.
• View all upcoming accessible events. 

Museum entry

• You're advised to book a free timed slot in advance (opens in a new tab) to receive key information and updates before your visit and priority entry during busy periods.
• At peak times there may be large queues.  
• When you reach the queue at the Main entrance, please speak to a Visitor Welcome colleague and indicate that you need to skip the queue because of your accessibility needs.  

Exhibition, event and out-of-hours tour tickets

• Disabled visitors can get concession tickets for special exhibitions, out of hours tours and some events.
• An access companion ticket is also provided free of charge.
• Some accessible events are free, but you need to book a ticket in advance.
• See a full list of exhibitions and events at the Museum. 

Exhibitions

• You can book to see one of our current or upcoming exhibitions.
• There is an access section on all exhibition pages that lists access information and resources, such as:  
  • The exhibition layout
  • A map with the exhibition location
  • A large print guide
  • A plain English guide, takes you on a tour of the exhibition, providing descriptions of some objects in easy-to-understand sentences.  
  • Information about quieter times to visit.

Galleries  

• You may like to plan which galleries to visit – view a list of galleries.
• Each gallery page has an accessibility section that lists access information and resources such as:  
  • Audio descriptive guides
  • BSL videos
  • Large print guides. 

We offer a variety of accessible events related to current exhibitions and the permanent collection, including:

• Audio described tours
• Deaf-led British Sign Language (BSL) tours
• Relaxed evening events designed for neurodivergent people and anyone with disabilities or sensory needs.
• Occasional relaxed morning events for families with neurodiverse children.

Please note

• Advance booking is required – view all upcoming accessible events.
• Exhibition-related accessible events cost just £5 and include exhibition entry.  
• An access companion ticket is free of charge but must be booked in advance.
• All other accessible events are free.
• Most of these events are on Monday evenings from 18.00–20.00.

• A limited number of manual wheelchairs (non-motorised) are available to pre-book for free before your visit.
• If you'd like to reserve a wheelchair, please:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: +44 (0)20 7323 8181  
  • Allow at least two working days' notice for reservations.
  • Please note that the Box Office that processes these reservations is closed on weekends and Bank Holidays.

Collection and return

• Collect your wheelchair at the Main entrance on Great Russell Street – view Museum map.
• Return it to either the Main entrance on Great Russell Street or the Montague Place entrance.

Please note

• Wheelchairs cannot be taken outside the Museum site.  
• The Museum is unable to provide staff assistance around the Museum for wheelchair users. 

• Please note there are no on-site parking spaces available at the Museum.
• There are Blue Badge parking bays near the Museum on Montague Place, Montague Street and Coptic Street. Please be aware that these parking bays are not managed by the Museum.

• Service, assistant and emotional support animals – including assistant dogs in training – are welcome at the Museum.
• Your assistance animal should remain under your care and control throughout your visit, ideally on a leash.  
• Where possible, dog owners should bring their Assistance Dogs (UK) identification book (or the appropriate international equivalent) and animals should wear the appropriate tabards or harness, but these are not a requirement for entry.  
• If your assistance animal is not a dog, please contact the accessibility team at [email protected] before your visit to avoid disappointment on the day.

Assistance animal facilities

• The nearest toilet area for assistance animals is in Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 5BG.
• Water bowls for assistance animals are available at the Information Desk in the Great Court.  

Sensory map

• Use our sensory map (opens in a new tab) to identify sensory-friendly spaces in the Museum – you can pick up a free paper sensory map at the Information Desk in the Great Court.  
• Please note that quieter times and sensory information will vary. 

Quieter times

• Mornings from 10.00–11.00 when the galleries first open.
• Late afternoon from 16.00. On most days the Museum closes at 17.00, except Fridays when we're open until 20.30.
• November and early December tend to be less crowded.
• We offer a range of relaxed evening events related to current exhibitions and the permanent collection. They are designed for neurodivergent people and anyone with disabilities or sensory needs – view all accessible events.

Busier times

• The middle of the day is usually the busiest time in the Museum galleries, cafés and shops.
• Our busiest times are weekends, UK school holidays, UK bank holidays, Christmas and New Year.
• Our permanent galleries can get especially busy during the first and last weekends of a special exhibition.
• Some Friday late openings include additional activities that can be busy and noisy.
• View our Exhibitions and events page to see if anything is happening during your visit that might make the Museum busier.

Contact us

If you have further questions or concerns, email: [email protected]

AccessAble is an organisation that provides detailed access information about numerous destinations, to help you work out if a place is going to be accessible to you.  

There are four guides on the AccessAble website about the British Museum (all links open in a new tab):  

• The British Museum – Main Guide
• The Great Court  
• Food and drink venues
• The Pizzeria.  

These guides provide detailed access information, including:

• Lift and toilet dimensions
• Sensory information, such as lighting levels
• Space for a wheelchair to manoeuvre
• Information about flooring, ramps and doors. 

The Museum has two entrances:  

• The Main entrance: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
• The Montague Place entrance: Montague Place, London WC1E 7JW.

We recommend using the Transport For London (TFL) Journey Planner (opens in a new tab) to plan your trip to the Museum.

Watch videos that guide you through the route to the British Museum from these three tube stations:  

• Holborn: 7-minute walk (opens in a new tab)
• Russell Square: 7-minute walk (opens in a new tab)
• Tottenham Court Road: 5-minute walk (opens in a new tab)

For a map and to learn more about getting to the Museum, view our Visit page.

• A step-free, easy access route is available for visitors with accessibility needs.  
• When you arrive at the Main entrance, inform a Visitor Welcome colleague, and indicate that you need to skip the queue because of your accessibility needs.

To enter the Museum, cross the forecourt and climb 12 steps with a handrail.

For step-free access, use one of the lifts located on either side of the steps.  

View detailed Main entrance information (opens in new tab) on the AccessAble website.

• This entrance offers step-free access.  
• When you arrive at the queue, inform a uniformed member of staff that you need to skip the queue because of your accessibility needs.

Walk straight on through the entrance hall towards the bust of King Edward VII.  

For step-free access, use the lift located to the left.  

Or use the 12 steps with a handrail that are to the right of the lift.

View detailed Montague Place entrance information (opens in a new tab) on the AccessAble website.

• Located close to the Main entrance on Great Russell Street.
• Open daily from 10.00–17.00 (20.30 on Fridays).
• Last deposits: one hour before closing time.
• Item collection: at least 30 minutes before closing time. 

• For everyone's safety, all bags, rucksacks, packages and personal items may be searched before entry.  
• Wheeled cases, sports equipment and large items of luggage are not allowed on British Museum premises.  
• Storage for luggage is available at major rail stations, including Euston, King's Cross and Charing Cross.  
• If you need to bring large luggage onto the site for medical reasons that you are not able to be without, please contact [email protected] before your visit.  
• Please don't leave your bags unattended at any point during your visit.

• View the locations of the lifts on the Museum map, or pick up a free paper map of the Museum at the Information Desk in the Great Court or at the Montague Place entrance.
• Most lifts in the Museum are wheelchair accessible, have audio announcements, button controls and include braille signage.
• Use the links below to view detailed access information about the Museum lifts – including dimensions – on the AccessAble website (links below open in a new tab):
  • Main entrance lifts: Great Russell Street, provide step free access to enter the Museum.
  • The Great Court lifts: serve floors -2–3  
  • North lift: serves floors -1–5
  • South lifts: serve floors -2–3
  • West lift: serves floors 0–3
• There are also small lifts that provide step-free access between levels in Rooms 18 and 21.

Galleries/Spaces with no lift or level access at present

Ground floor:

• Great Court East lift: no access to floors -1 to -2
• Room 16: Bassai sculptures (Mezzanine)

Upper floors:

• Room 67: Korea (The Korea Foundation Gallery)
• Room 69: Greek and Roman life (Mezzanine)
• Room 95: Chinese Ceramics – Sir Percival David Collection (The Sir Joseph Hotung Centre for Ceramic Studies)

Please note due to essential maintenance works there will be no lift or level access to Africa (Room 25) and the Pizzeria from 18 July – 3 August. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during your visit.

Contact us

If you have further questions about lifts or gallery access, email: [email protected]

• View the locations of accessible toilets and baby changing facilities on the Museum map.
• Use the links below to view detailed access information about our accessible toilets – including dimensions – on the AccessAble website (links below open in a new tab):
• Level 0:
  • East stairs lobby
  • The Great Court, next to the Collections shop
  • The Great Court, next to the Bookshop  
• Level 1:  
  • The Great Court, near the East lift
  • The Great Court, near the West lift
  • Level 3: North Lift lobby. 

Features of all accessible toilets

• Pull-cord alarms that link back to our Control Room.
• A flashing light to indicate when the building is being evacuated.
• Standing support and handrails. 

No Changing Places toilet  

• We don't have a Changing Places toilet on-site.  
• The nearest Changing Places toilet is at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
• This a 15 minute walk away from the Montague Place entrance.
• If you leave an exhibition to visit the Changing Places toilet, you will be able to return to the exhibition without additional charge.

Baby changing  

For baby changing facilities, see our Family Visits page.  

Information Desk

At this desk, you can ask for:  

• A paper copy of the Museum map.
• A paper copy of our sensory map (opens in a new tab).
• Ear defenders.
• Water bowls for assistance animals.

Ticket Desk  

• Induction loops are available  
• Buy on the day tickets for exhibitions  
• Upgrade your ticket to become a Member.   

• Seating is available in selected galleries, special exhibitions, public spaces, cafés and the Great Court Restaurant.  
• Most of our seating consists of benches and stools.  
• There is some seating with backs in selected galleries and in the outside space at the front of the Museum. 

Walking sticks and folding stools  

• You're welcome to use walking sticks or folding stools with seat attachments, provided they have rubber stoppers.  
• A limited number of folding stools are available to borrow at the:  
  • Main entrance on Great Russell Street  
  • Start of special exhibitions.  
• Drop them off at either exit as you leave the Museum. 

Spaces that tend to be quieter  

• Level 0: Rooms 1, 2, 2a, 15, 21  
• Level 0 and mezzanine: 19–20, 20a  
• Level 3: Rooms 42, 43, 43a, 46–48, 90, 90a  
• Level 4: Rooms 90, 90a  
• Level 5: Rooms 92–94.

Spaces that tend to be crowded and noisier  

• Main entrance on Great Russell Street  
• Level -1: Montague Place entrance foyer  
• Level 0: Weston Hall (just inside the main entrance), near the cloakroom, The Great Court and Rooms 4, 6, 6a, 6b, 17, 18, 23, 24, 30 (special exhibition space)  
• Level 1: Rooms 33, 35 (special exhibition space)  
• Level 3: Rooms 53–59, 61–66.

View rooms on the Museum map.  

Lighting

• Light levels vary across the Museum.  
• Some rooms are dimly lit to preserve the exhibits.  
• Others have natural or bright lights.  
• Exhibitions sometimes have moving lights.  
• Find out more about lighting levels in our sensory map (opens in a new tab).

Spaces with natural light  

• Level 0: The Great Court and Rooms 1, 2, 4, 7–9.  
• Level 2: Rooms 67 and 95.

Spaces with low light  

• Level -2: Room 25  
• Level 0: Rooms 2a, 26, 27, 30 (special exhibition space)  
• Level 1: Room 35 (special exhibition space)  
• Level 3: Rooms 61–63  
• Level 4: Rooms 90, 90a  
• Level 5: Rooms 92–94.

Temperature variations  

• The temperature varies as you move through the Museum and some galleries and spaces are quite cold.  
• You may want to bring an extra layer of clothing.

View rooms on the Museum map.