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The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is open daily. Book your free tickets now.
Schools and groups can book tickets here.

Accessibility

The Science and Industry Museum is committed to being open and accessible for everyone. On this page you can find information about accessible facilities and resources to help you plan your visit.

Please note

Not all of our buildings are currently open while conservation and construction work takes place. Whilst we aim to keep noise to a minimum during opening hours, please be aware that there may be some unexpected sights and sounds happening across the site.

To discuss any specific access requirements or request any additional information to support your visit, please call 033 0058 0058. Lines are open 09.00–17.00 every day.

Download the latest map of the museum here.

General information

Tickets

We offer free personal assistant/carer tickets for our paid-for events and exhibitions. These are available to book online, by phone on 033 0058 0058 or in person on the day of your visit.

Accessible events

Find information about sensory friendly sessions, designed for those who prefer an adjusted environment, coming up as part of our Operation Ouch! programme.     

There will be also BSL interpreted tours of this exhibition. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when tickets for these events are available. 

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme

We welcome and support visitors who choose to wear a Sunflower item as part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme. Please note that we do not provide Sunflower items. Find out more about the scheme on the Hidden Disabilities website.

Planning your visit

Getting around the museum

There is step-free access to all floors of our multi-level buildings.  

All lifts are wheelchair accessible, have tactile labelling and some have audio announcements.

Level 1 can be accessed via Lifts/Stair A and B. These are glass lifts and stairwells with views across the museum site. 

The Special Exhibitions Gallery on Level -1 can be accessed via Lift/Stair C.

Download the latest map of the museum here.

There is currently no step-free access to the locker facilities. If you require storage please speak to a member of staff at the information desk when you arrive.

Visual story

We have created a visual story to help you familiarise yourself with the museum and galleries ahead of your visit.

Quiet times

The museum is busiest at weekends and during school holidays. There is a Quiet Room within the Textiles Gallery on Level 0 of the New Warehouse for use by anyone who needs some quiet time.

The quietest time to visit the museum is on a weekday afternoon during term time. Please note, schools do visit during weekdays in term time, though these visits are typically earlier in the day. Please speak to our Contact Centre if you would like further support when planning your visit. Call 033 0058 0058 or email info@sciencemuseumgroup.ac.uk.

Queues may form at the entrance to the museum during busy periods. If this presents a barrier, please approach a member of staff who will be able to grant you priority entry.

Accessible parking

There are 3 blue badge parking spaces in front of the museum on Lower Byrom Street. These operate on a first come, first served basis.

Assistance animals  

Working guide and assistance animals are welcome at the museum. They should be appropriately trained, supervised and kept with you at all times, ideally on a leash. Where possible, dog owners should bring their Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) identification book and animals should wear the appropriate tabards or harness, but this is not a requirement for entry.

If you plan to visit with an assistance animal other than an assistance dog, please get in touch with the Contact Centre via email at info@sciencemuseumgroup.ac.uk or by phone at 033 0058 0058, so we can pass your details onto colleagues working on the day of your visit.

Please provide the following information: 

  • Museum location (We are a group of 5 museums)
  • Visit date
  • Visit time
  • Contact details (mobile/email)

Unfortunately, we cannot admit pets to our museums.

Visiting with babies and small children

We are a breastfeeding-friendly museum.

We have a buggy park next to our main entrance. Please take any valuable items with you as we don’t secure this area.

Resources and facilities

Hearing loop

There is a hearing loop in the New Warehouse information desk.

Ear defenders and sensory packs

Some of our galleries can be noisy and contain working machinery or live shows. Ear defenders are available to borrow from the information desk for anyone who is sensitive to noise and certain sounds.  

We also have sensory packs containing toys and resources for anyone that would benefit from additional sensory support when exploring the museum.

Quiet room

There is a Quiet Room within the Textiles Gallery on Level 0 of the New Warehouse. This space is for anyone who needs some quiet time. It can be for prayer, meditation or taking a break from the sights and sounds of a busy museum. Please wait for the space to be vacant before entering.

wheelchairs and folding stools

We can lend you a manual wheelchair or a folding stool, just ask at the information desk.

toilets, baby changing and changing places facilities

Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are located on Levels 0 and 1 of the New Warehouse.

We offer Male and Female toilets throughout the museum, in addition to our accessible toilets. We also have All Gender facilities in the Special Exhibitions Gallery on Level -1. 

Our Changing Places toilet, located in the Bistro on Level 1 of the New Warehouse, is equipped with hoist, changing bench and centrally located toilet. The toilet is accessible with a RADAR key. If you have forgotten your key please ask a member of staff for access. 

Please note: Our Changing Places toilet is currently out of order, we are working to fix the issue and apologise for any inconvenience caused. The nearest Changing Places toilet can be found in Aviva Studios.

Accessibility by gallery