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Natural History Museum - Food and Drink

Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD

Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • There are a number of cafés and restaurants located within the Natural History Museum including: T-Rex Restaurant, Central Café, Earth Hall Café, Shake Bar, Garden Kitchen and Afternoon Tea in the Anning Rooms.

Central Café

  • Location and Access View
    • The Central Café is located on the Ground Floor, at the rear of Hintze Hall.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are displayed on the counter.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups 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 106cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • The height of the tray rail is 86cm.
  • 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 flooring is patterned.
    • 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.
    • 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 vary due to the size of the space.

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.

Earth Hall Café

  • Location and Access View
    • Earth Hall Café is located to the side on the ground floor of the East Wing.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered and designated seating.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are available on a board.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located at the front of the cafe.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 76cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has glazed screens.
    • Items can be purchased at the service counter
      There are separate payment counters at a height of 88cm. .
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, benches and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables, high tables and booths.
    • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of 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.

West Wing - Shake Bar (Ground Floor)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Shake Bar is located on the Ground Floor, directly ahead from the lift, or to the left after you enter West Wing from the Central Building.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are wall-mounted and displayed on the counter.
    • 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.
    • The counter is located ahead as you enter.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 99cm.
    • The counter has a television and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • The height of the tray rail is 86cm.
  • 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.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Eating and Drinking (Garden Kitchen)

  • Location and Access View
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are handheld, wall-mounted and displayed on the counter.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: takeaway cups and drinking straws.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located next to the seating area.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 85cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • 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 have a low visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches and chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: 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 vary due to the size of the space.

Anning Rooms

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area is in the Anning Rooms Members area on Floor 2 of the Natural History Museum.
    • The Anning Rooms are only accessible to Members. Find out how to become a member on the museum’s website.
  • Service View
    • This area has staff who can provide assistance with ordering and designated seating.
    • Full table service is available.
    • Menus are handheld.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy and vegetarian.
    • The following are available: drinking straws.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: 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.