Visit

Accessibility

Images of people with disabilities and elderly women singing and performing in a choir. The first person is a young man with a disability in a wheelchair, and the last is a woman with glasses and a big smile.

‘Nothing about us, without us.’

We are dedicated to becoming the most inclusive and caring museum we can be.

We’ve listened to advocates with lived experience and inclusive features can be found across the building.

A group of five people, including a man in a wheelchair, posing together at an event called Golden Summer Egypt. They are smiling and appear to be happy.

Inclusive features

  • There are five car parks on the surrounding University of Manchester campus with a mixture of permit and public parking. Find the details here.

    The nearest car park is UoM Car Park D, Booth Street West. The postcode for this car park is M15 6FH and access is via Higher Cambridge Street.

    This is available to the public, as well as staff and students. It is approximately a two-minute walk to the Museum, walking directly up Bridgeford Street from the car park exit, in the direction of Oxford Road.

    Accessible parking spots are also available on Bridgeford Street, which runs alongside the Museum. To access one of these spots, there is a barrier next to UoM Car Park D, Booth Street West (access via Higher Cambridge Street). At the intercom, tell the attendant that you are using Manchester Museum accessible parking and turn left past the barrier.

    If you require assistance reaching accessible parking or getting to our entrance on Oxford Road, please call us on 0161 275 2648.

    Alternatively, there is also accessible parking at Manchester Aquatics Centre car park – to help you plan your visit and understand how far it is between this car park and the Museum, we’ve created this video.

  • We have plenty of places to sit and rest seating throughout the whole museum, including in the Main Hall next to the coffee bar. There is seating in most of the galleries. Portable folding stools are available to use too – ask a member of our Visitor Team if you need one.

  • The quiet room is on floor 1 next to the Egypt and Sudan gallery. It is a quieter space for anyone who needs time away from the galleries for rest, reflection or other reasons. It includes seating and mindful activities such as puzzles and books. Ear defenders are available in the room and at our reception desk.

  • Personal belongings can be left securely in lockers, which are next to the Main Hall, and there is space to leave your buggy.

  • British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and captioning are offered where possible. We have a hearing loop fitted at our reception desk.

  • Public interpretation, signage and digital content complies with RNIB standard.

    Guide and assistance animals – including assistance dogs in training – are welcome at the museum. We ask that they are identified by wearing a jacket, a harness, or a brightly coloured collar and lead during your visit.

Getting around the building

There is a ramped entrance from the pavement on Oxford Road to the front door of the Museum to the front door. There is also a ramp providing access from Bridgeford Street to the Museum Café.

There are lifts located in the Main Hall and near the entrance to the Living Worlds gallery that provide access to all floors.

There is level access to all public spaces, including galleries, the Shop, Café, toilets and other facilities.

We have wheelchairs and a walking frame with wheels, brakes and a seat available for visitors to use. Please speak to a member of our Visitor Team at the reception desk if you would like to use one during your visit.

If you require assistance getting to our entrance on Oxford Road, please call us on 0161 275 2648.

British Sign Language (BSL) tour of the Museum

Come on a tour with us, joined by a British Sign Language interpreter, to find out more about our spaces and galleries.

Neurodivergent visitors

Quiet times

A Quiet Room is available on Floor 1 next to the Egypt and Sudan gallery. Ask a member of the Visitor Team for more information.

Our designated ‘quiet time’ is 8-10am on Saturday mornings, when our exhibition hall will be open, along with our Shop and Café. The rest of our galleries open at 10am.

Wednesdays 6-9pm are also quiet when there are no scheduled events. Please check our events listings prior to visiting on a Wednesday evening as we also occasionally schedule lively events on these evenings.

Communication Cards

Non-verbal communication cards can help you to ask for assistance if you need it. Please download our communications cards. Please show these to any staff member and they will help you find what you’re looking for.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

We have developed all our programmes and resources with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in mind.

SCHOOL RESOURCES