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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 within the East Wing, Central Building East Side Exhibitions, West Wing 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 East Wing. However, the learning spaces can be accessed from all 3 entrances in the museum.
    • 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 facility available within the Nature Activity Centre.
    • There are toilets with adaptations located around the museum: next to Hintze Hall in the East Wing, Central Building West Side and North Wing - Exhibitions, Central Building East Side Exhibitions, and West Wing.

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, North Wing, Central Building, East Wing and West Wing.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within some of the standard toilet facilities.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located next to Central Café, in the Garden Kitchen, the North Wing, Central Building, East Wing and West Wing.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located in the North Wing along the corridor between the Mammals and Marine Life.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located next to Central Café, on the Third Floor near the lift, in the adapted toilet in the Garden Kitchen, the picnic area on the Lower Ground Floor, and within the standard toilets in the East Wing and West Wing.

Room (East Wing - Lasting Impression Gallery)

  • The room is located in the East Wing, near to the access from the Central Building.
  • 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 open 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 (Central Building- Lower Ground Floor - Investigate)

  • The room is located on the Lower Ground Floor, to right after exiting the lift.
  • 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 open 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.

Theatre (West Wing - 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.

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.

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 the Nature Activity Centre entrance 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.

Lift (Lower Ground to Ground Floors)

  • The lift surveyed is located off the Marine Reptiles Hall corridor.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The Ground and Lower Ground 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 110cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 180cm (width) x 140cm (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 visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Reception (Central Building - Lower Ground - School Reception)

  • The reception is located within the picnic area, on the Lower Ground Floor.
  • There is step-free level access to the reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 109cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Central Building - Lower Ground - Picnic Area

  • Location and Access View
    • The picnic area is on the Lower Ground Floor.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and a lift.
    • 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 155cm.
  • 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 walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The chairs and tables are fixed.
    • The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are cloakroom areas for schools located within the picnic area.

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.