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Natural History Museum - Central Building - East Side Exhibitions

Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located within the picnic area on the Lower Ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located within the picnic area on the Lower Ground floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the adapted toilet on the Lower Ground floor.

Getting Around the Central Building East Corridors

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • All of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding and dementia-friendly signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • All the corridors there are wall exhibitions showing Fossil Marine Reptiles and Birds.

T-Rex Restaurant

  • Location and Access View
    • The restaurant is situated in the Central Building - East Side corridor.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are handheld.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 105cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 85cm.
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and long tables.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Counter Ground Floor - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Gallery

  • The reception is located just before the entrance to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Gallery.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 112cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).

Exhibition Space (Ground Floor - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Gallery)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • There is background noise.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Display information includes: information boards, televisions/screens, subtitles and pictorial.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, benches and chairs with armrests.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • Large print guides are available in the space.
  • Large print guides and audio content are available online via the exhibition’s webpage on the museum website.
  • There is an online version of the gallery which can be viewed here:https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/gallery
  • This exhibition changes every year and is only open October – June each year.
  • Please check the website for full details about accessibility, as some aspects may change each year:https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year.html.

Ground Floor - Shop - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Gallery

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the shelving and floor throughout this area.
    • There is background noise.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Payment Counter View
    • The counter surveyed was Wildlife Photographer of the Year Gallery Shop.
    • Signage is provided for the counter.
    • The payment counter has windows.
    • The height of the payment counter is 112cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Counter - Jurassic Oceans - Waterhouse Gallery

  • The reception is located along the Central Building corridor.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Ground Floor - Jurassic Ocean - Waterhouse Gallery

  • This area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is deep pile carpet in some areas.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • There is background noise in some areas.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Display information includes: information boards, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.

Ground Floor - Shop - Jurassic Ocean - Waterhouse Gallery

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the shelving and floor in all walkways.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The checkout area is located ahead as you enter.
    • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
    • The venue has a payment counter.
  • Payment Counter View
    • Signage is provided for the counter.
    • The height of the payment counter is 109cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The card payment machine is portable.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift (Central Building)

  • The lift surveyed is located off the Marine Reptiles Hall corridor near the entrance to the museum shop.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The Lower Ground, Ground, First and Second floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 106cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 152cm (width) x 170cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs (Central Building)

  • The stairs surveyed are located towards the west of the Central Building.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The Lower Ground, Ground, First and Second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Exhibition Space (Floor 1 and Floor 2 - Balcony)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: The Floor 1 walkways.
  • The ramp on the left side of the walkway has a slight gradient and the ramp on the right side of the walkway has a steep gradient.
  • Both sets of ramps bypass 4 steps, the steps have handrails on both sides. .
  • The following areas have stepped access: the balcony area between Floor 1 and Floor 2, overlooking Hintze Hall.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • There is background noise.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Display information includes: information boards and touchscreens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • The seating is fixed.
  • The tour is self-guided.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour.

Exhibition Space (Floor 1 - Minerals and The Vault)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Display information includes: information boards.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • The seating is fixed.

Toilet with Adaptations (Central Building - Lower Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located off the picnic area on the Lower Ground Floor.
    • The distance from the lift is 70m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is a permanently held open door leading to the toilet with an opening width of 83cm.
    • There is tactile and pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 255cm (width) x 178cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 177cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a wall sensor flush on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 87cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 78cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 85cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.