Venue Description

Founded in 1753, The British Museum is home to an astonishing range of objects from cultures across the world. The free Museum houses a vast collection of world art and artefacts, which illuminate the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present day. The British Museum is a vast place, with over seventy galleries and a huge range of extraordinary objects.

Accessibility

The British Museum welcomes Deaf and disabled visitors. Entrances There are two entrances to the Museum. The front entrance on Great Russell Street has level access via self-operable platform lifts on either side of the front steps. The rear entrance on Montague Place has level access into the building and a lift to access all floors. There is a visitor search area before you get to front entrance. If, due to your access needs, you would prefer to avoid the tent - please speak to security staff and you may be able to bypass it. Your bags may still be searched. Security processes are subject to change. Level access There is level access throughout most of the galleries and all exhibition spaces. The Museum is housed in an old, listed building so level access is often via standard or platform lifts. There may be times when galleries are closed which impacts on lift availability. Please check the website before visiting to ensure there is level access to the gallery you wish to visit. Services, facilities and events The Museum strives to be accessible to Deaf and disabled people. For more information about our services, facilities and events including object handling, a touch tour of our Egyptian Sculpture Gallery, BSL, live subtitled and audio described events and our free audio description and BSL guides - please go to our website or contact access@britishmuseum.org

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: http://britishmuseum.org/visiting/access.aspx

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: Equality_and_Diversity_Policy_20150219.pdf

Accessible Performances

Our exhibition events programme includes audio described tours and handling sessions, British Sign Language tours and live subtitled talks. See the 'access' section of the relevant exhibition webpage for details. We have an audio descriptive guide and a BSL guide that explore the permanent collection. These devices are available for free from our Audio Guide desk in the Great Court. We have a touch tour of our Egyptian Sculpture Gallery where blind or partially sighted visitors can take a self-led or guided tour of nine incredible statues from Ancient Egypt. For more information go to www.britishmuseum.org/egyptiantouchtour We are currently exploring ways to improve access to the Museum for people with learning disabilities and autism. For more information email access@britishmuseum.org

Toilets

There are accessible toilets in the Great Court, the Ford Centre for Young Visitors, the Clore Education Centre and to the north of Room 66. Ask at the Information Desk in the Great Court for further details or see the map.

Staff

Access awareness and Diversity and Equality training is available to staff. The Museum also provides Deaf awareness training.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Russell Square and Bloomsbury Square Garden are within a short walk of the Museum.

Other assistance dog facilities

There are water bowls available at the Information Desk in the Great Court.