Arrival By Car

Although there are a very limited number of parking spaces on site for Blue Badge holders at the Natural History Museum in London, there are 12 Blue Badge parking spaces available nearby on Exhibition Road (which give 4 hours of free parking for Blue Badge holders).

Arrival By Public Transport

Tube (Underground):

Neither South Kensington nor Gloucester Road tube stations (the tube stations nearest to the Natural History Museum) are step-free. The closest step-free tube station is at Earl’s Court – almost 1 mile away!

Bus:

A number of different buses run past, or near, the Natural History Museum in west London. And all buses in London are wheelchair accessible – and are equipped with a retractable ramp (automatically controlled by the bus driver). Bus travel is also free for wheelchair users (your companion has to pay the correct fare though). I recommend that you use the official TfL Journey Planner to find the best route for yourself.

Taxi:

By far the easiest way to arrive at the Natural Museum in a wheelchair, and by using public transport, is in one of London’s famous black cabs (taxis). It’s also the most expensive way to reach the Natural History Museum (but is so worth it in my opinion). All London taxis are equipped with a retractable ramp.

Entrance – Access

There are two entrances to the Natural History Museum: the main entrance on Cromwell Road, and another on Exhibition Road. And both entrances have step-free access.

All disabled users, AND their accompanying family members and personal carers can skip the queues to enter the Natural History Museum. On arrival, simply approach a member of staff at an entrance for assistance.

Admission is free – but a donation is requested (the Natural History Museum is a charity which relies on your support).

To regulate visitor numbers, you MUST book a free ticket online though (specifying a specific timed slot for you arrival).

Wheelchairs are available to borrow from the cloakrooms at both of the Natural History Museum’s entrances.

Building Accessibility

All wheelchair accessible lifts are indicated on the Natural History Museum map.

Normally, 100% of the Natural History Museum in London is wheelchair accessible. However, when certain galleries are undergoing maintenance, the gallery can sometimes be accessible by steps only (making them inaccessible to wheelchair users). Always check the official Natural History Museum website for advance notice of any gallery maintenance BEFORE you book.

Wheelchair Accessible Toilets

There are four wheelchair accessible toilets located in different areas on the Ground Floor. There is also an additional wheelchair accessible toilet on the Lower Ground Floor too. All wheelchair accessible toilets are also indicated on the Natural History Museum map.

Wheelchair Accessible Cafes/Restaurant

Food & drinks are available in the T. rex Restaurant (in the Green Zone), the Central Cafe (Blue Zone), The Kitchen (Red Zone) & in the Darwin Centre Cafe (Orange Zone).

Photo credit: Natural History Museum, London.

See the Wheelchair Accessible London Guide for details of other wheelchair accessible attractions, restaurants and hotels in central London.