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Natural History Museum - Learning Space

Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The learning spaces at the Natural History Museum are located in the Red Zone, Green Zone, Orange Zone and the Wildlife Garden.
  • Getting In and Around View
    • The main access to the museum for school groups is via the East Entrance, which gives direct access to the Redzone but the learning spaces can be accessed from all 3 entrances in the musuem.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Last Impressions room via the East Entrance and the Nature Activity Centre via the Wildlife Garden.
    • There is a changing places available in the Nature Activity Centre.
    • There are toilets with adaptations located around the museum next to Hintze Hall, in the Red Zone, Blue Zone, Green and Orange Zone.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 8 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located next to Central Café, in the Garden Kitchen, Blue Zone, Orange Zone, Green Zone and Red Zone.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within some of the standard toilet facilties.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located next to Central Café, in the Garden Kitchen, the Blue Zone, Orange Zone, Green Zone and Red Zone.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located in the Blue Zone along the corridor between the Mammals and Marine Life.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the third floor near the lift, in adapted toilet in the Garden Kitchen, the picnic area on the basement floor, in standard toilets in the Orange Zone, in the Red Zone shared toilets on the ground floor, and on the mezzanine floor.

Room (Red Zone - Lasting Impression Gallery)

  • The room is located in the Red Zone, near to the access from the Green Zone.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
  • The doors opens outwards.
  • The width of the opening is 130cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Room (Green Zone - Lower Ground Floor - Investigate)

  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
  • The doors opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 205cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • 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 low visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Room (Wildlife Garden - Nature Activity Centre)

  • The room is located within the Wildlife Garden.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 115cm.
  • There is a single automatic door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The width of the opening is 108cm.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 105cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Theatre (Orange Zone - Attenborough Studio)

  • Theatre Information View
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • Auditorium View
    • The most accessible route to the auditorium has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access to a row of seating.
    • There is a designated seating area.
    • The following rows have stepped access: the rear row and the front two rows of seats.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Some shows may have flashing lights.

Changing Places (Wildlife Garden - Nature Activity Centre)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located within the Nature Activity Centre.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • The distance from Nature Activity Centre entranc3 is 8m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens both ways and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 370cm (width) x 325cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however they are obstructed.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 235cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 85cm.
    • There is a push button flush on top of the cistern.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is free standing and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 190cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • 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 rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 105cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 127cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.