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Natural History Museum - Orange Zone

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 are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor as you enter from the Blue Zone and next to Zoology Spirit area.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor as you enter from the Blue Zone .
    • The gender inclusive step-free toilet facilities are located next to Zoology Spirit area.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the male and female standard toilets.

Outdoor Spaces (Nature Discovery Garden)

  • The following is available in this area: gardens, a large accessible pond, a pier over the pond, tactile objects and textured surfaces to touch. There is a small fenced off area that is visible from the paths that sometimes has sheep in it.
  • Outdoor areas consist of concrete or tarmac.
  • There are footpaths throughout.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: most areas along the path.
  • Trees and foliage overhang the path slightly in some areas, and provide some coverage from sun and rain.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Seating includes: seats with backrests and armrests.
  • Under the trees there are seats were you can fully recline and look up into the trees.

Entrance (West Entrance)

  • This entrance is located next to the Wildlife Garden.
  • At the entrance to the museum there is a bag check desk.
  • You will need to have your bag checked by a member of museum staff.
  • There are usually members of staff in this area to assist visitors.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy ramp at the entrance.
  • There are 9 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The West Entrance gives direct access to the Orange Zone, but all other areas of the Museum can be accessed from the West Entrance.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 125cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • There is a bag check counter located ahead after you enter, the height of the counter is 92cm from the floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Lift

  • Lower Ground Floor (Entrance and Discovery Nature Garden), Ground Floor (Shake Bar and Museum Galleries), Fifth Floor (Cocoon Exit) and Seventh Floor (Cocoon Entrance) 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 Braille markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 109cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 160cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille 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 hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead as you enter.
  • The Lower Ground and Ground 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 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Eating and Drinking (Orange Zone - Shake Bar)

  • 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 Orange Zone from the Blue Zone.
    • 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: vegan and vegetarian.
    • The following are available: takeaway cutlery and drinking straws.
    • 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 patterned/distracting backgrounds and a television.
    • 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.

Counter (Visions of Nature)

  • The counter is located ahead as you enter.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 109cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the counter.
  • The height of the lowered section is 89cm.
  • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • Visitors can collect the VR headsets from the counter.
  • 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).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • Some seating is fixed.

Exhibition Space (Visions of Nature)

  • All exhibits are interactive.
  • 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 low visual contrast.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Display information includes: augmented reality.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This is a virtual reality (VR) experience.
  • Subtitles can be added to the VR experience. Please ask staff to turn them on for you at the counter when you are given the headset.

Exhibition Space (The Cocoon)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: The Cocoon starts on Floor 7 and goes down to the ground floor, there is a long slight slope leading down. There are level landings along the slope with exhibition areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Display information includes: information boards, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • The seating is fixed.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right, after entering the Orange Zone from Blue Zone.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet 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 outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low 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 145cm (width) x 215cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 77cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low 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 95cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 83cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 110cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.