Access at South Kensington

Luggage and cloakroom

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.  

Parking

We do not have parking facilities on-site and parking around the Museum is limited. Find out other ways to get to the Museum.

Disabled parking

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

Photography for personal use is permitted in the Museum with hand-held cameras only.

Find out more about our commercial filming and photography opportunities.

Toilets

All toilets are open. The restrooms are cleaned regularly.

Accessible toilets

Wheelchair-accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities are clearly marked on the Museum map.

Lifts

Lifts are marked on the Museum map.  Please use the stairs where possible to ensure lifts are available for those who need them.

Wheelchair hire

You can borrow wheelchairs for free from the cloakrooms just inside the main entrance on Cromwell Road and the Exhibition Road entrance.

Assistance dogs

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.

Quiet spaces at the Museum

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. 

• Lasting Impressions (Red Zone): an uncluttered space with specimens to touch
• Minerals gallery (Green Zone): an airy space with natural light
• Images of Nature (Blue Zone): a quiet space with low lighting
• Contemplation Room (Blue Zone): a quiet, naturally lit room used for prayer and reflection
• Cocoon (Orange Zone): a quiet, open space with a wide spiral bath leading down two levels
• Zoology spirit building (Orange Zone): a quiet, tucked-away space for reflection. It's also home to a range of specimens stored in alcohol in the spirit collection.

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. 

Audio descriptions 

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.

Large print gallery guides

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.

Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre large print guide (PDF 563KB)

Guide dogs

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

Hearing loops are built in at our information desks, and at various points in the Darwin Centre and Images of Nature gallery.

Deaf Messaging Service (DMS)

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.

How to sign up

Smart phone users:

1. Text NHMBLUEGREEN to 0748 048 6966.
2. You will receive a text message from Fireco confirming you are registered to the NHMBLUEGREEN zone and containing a link to connect to your dashboard.
3. Click on the link in the text message and from the dashboard, ensure the following three DMS zones are selected: NHMBLUEGREEN, NHMORANGE and NHMRED. Once selected click ‘Save my settings’
4. To customise notifications, select how you would like to be notified from the dashboard - by text, voice, WhatsApp and/or email. Once selected click ‘Save my settings’.

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.

1. You will now be signed up to the DMS for each zone in the Museum.
2. We recommend that you save the DMS number 0748 048 6966 in your contact list under DMS to assist with recognition of calls from the system.

How to unsubscribe

1. From your dashboard, deselect the DMS location(s) you want to unsubscribe from.
2. Click ‘Save my settings’.

For non-smart phone users:

1. In three separate messages, text NHMBLUEGREEN and NHMORANGE and NHMRED to 0748 048 6966.
2. You will be automatically registered to receive text messages from the each DMS.

Please be aware you will not receive DMS texts if you have no phone signal.

How to unsubscribe

1. Text STOP to 07480 486 966. You will receive a text confirming you have been unsubscribed.

Sometimes we need to close galleries and spaces around the Museum to allow for essential maintenance or events.