Accessibility | Science and Industry Museum

General information

The Science and Industry Museum is committed to being open and accessible for everyone. On this page you can find out about accessible facilities and resources across the site.

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

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.

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.

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

Please note

Not all of our buildings are currently open. 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.

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.

Download the latest map of the museum here.

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.   

Borrow a wheelchair or folding stool

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

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 to discuss your request with us.

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.

Quiet times

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.

Ear defenders are available to borrow from the New Warehouse information desk.

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.

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.

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.

Accessibility by gallery

Research Centre (lower ground floor)

The nearest toilets are on the lower-ground floor (basement) near the museum main entrance. Go back up to the ground floor and down the staircase between the shop and the café. Additional toilets can also be found on the first floor by the Experiment Gallery and by the Bistro. These can be reached by both sets of stairs and lifts off the Revolution Manchester gallery.
The nearest accessible toilets are just at the top of the staircase near the museum main entrance, between the shop and the café.
The nearest baby-changing room is at the top of the staircase between the shop and the café.
There is step-free access throughout this gallery.

Revolution Manchester (ground floor)

The nearest toilets are on the lower-ground floor (basement) near the main entrance. Go down the staircase between the shop and the café.
The nearest accessible toilets are just at the top of the staircase between the shop and the café.
The nearest baby-changing room is at the top of the staircase between the shop and the café.
There is step-free access throughout this gallery.
The gallery features a filmed interview with Waters Scientist, Kate Whyatt. The film includes subtitles and British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation. A version with an audio described introduction can be found here. This version can also be accessed during your visit by using the QR code on gallery.

Textiles Gallery (ground floor)

The nearest toilets are on the lower-ground floor (basement) near the museum main entrance (back through Revolution Manchester). Go down the staircase between the shop and the café. Additional toilets can also be found on the first floor by the Experiment Gallery and by the Bistro. These can be reached by both sets of stairs and lifts off the Revolution Manchester gallery.
The nearest accessible toilets are just at the top of the staircase near the museum main entrance, between the shop and the café.
The nearest baby-changing room is at the top of the staircase between the shop and the café.
There is step-free access throughout this gallery.
Large print guides for the Textiles Gallery are available to download below:

Shop and Café (ground floor)

The nearest toilets are on the lower-ground floor (basement). Go down the staircase between the shop and the café.
The nearest accessible toilets are just at the top of the staircase between the shop and the café.
The nearest baby-changing room is at the top of the staircase between the shop and the café.
We have high-chairs in the café.
There is step-free access in the shop and the café, and we have a low-level counter in the shop.

Experiment (first floor)

The nearest toilets (including accessible) are in the Experiment gallery.
The nearest baby-changing room is in the Bistro.
There is step-free access throughout this gallery.

Power UP (Temporary Exhibitions Gallery, First Floor)

The nearest toilets (including accessible) are in the Experiment gallery.
The nearest baby-changing room is in the Bistro.
There is step-free access throughout this gallery.

Special Exhibitions Gallery (Lower Ground floor)

The nearest toilets are the All Gender toilet facilities within the Special Exhibitions Gallery.
There is step-free access throughout this gallery.

Bistro (first floor)

The nearest toilets (including accessible) are inside the Bistro.
The nearest baby changing room is inside the Bistro.
The Changing Places Toilet is inside the Bistro.
The Bistro has high-chairs, a microwave for heating baby food and a milk bottle warmer.
There is step-free access throughout the Bistro.

Learning Loft and classrooms (second floor)

The Learning Loft is currently closed to the public. Picnic space is now available in the Bistro on level 1.
The nearest toilets (including accessible) are inside the Learning Loft.
The nearest baby-changing room is in the Bistro.
There is step-free access throughout the Learning Loft.

Conference Centre (second floor)

The nearest toilets (including accessible) are inside the Conference Centre.
The nearest baby-changing room is in the Bistro.
There is step-free access throughout the Conference Centre.
Hearing aid loops are available on request. Call us on 0161 606 0144 or email conference@scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk.

The nearest toilets (including accessible) are outside on the train platform between the Power Hall and the 1830 Station or close to the information desk on the ground floor of the 1830 Warehouse.
The nearest baby-changing room is close to the information desk on the ground floor of the 1830 Warehouse.
There is step-free access to the first class waiting room from the station platform.