Natural History Museum
Logistics Guide

Is the Natural History Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is excellent. The Exhibition Road entrance is street-level and leads directly into the Darwin Centre and the main Hintze Hall (the Whale). All floors are connected by large, modern lifts. The 'Spirit Collection' and 'Earth Hall' (with the famous escalator through the globe) are also accessible—though wheelchair users use a lift alongside the escalator.

Where are the accessible restrooms at the NHM?

There are PRM restrooms in every 'Zone' (Blue, Green, Red, Orange). The best and most modern are in the Darwin Centre (Orange Zone) with $2.0\text{-meter}$ turning radii and adult-change facilities.

What is the best taxi drop-off for the NHM?

The 'Exhibition Road' entrance ($51.496200, -0.174500$). Taxis can pull right up to the curb which is flush with the museum forecourt. This avoids all steps and the long tunnel from the station.

What is the sensory profile of the NHM?

It has a 'cathedral-like and busy' sensory profile. Hintze Hall is very loud ($70\text{dB}$) and echoic. The 'Dinosaurs' gallery is dark with moving animatronics which can be sensory-heavy. For a quiet retreat, use the 'Images of Nature' gallery ($45\text{dB}$). Physically, the building is very stable ($0\text{Hz}$).

When is the best time for a quiet visit?

Weekday afternoons after 2:00 PM when school groups have left. The museum is much calmer and the lifts are easier to access without waits.

How do I find the lift to the Dinosaurs?

Ask a gallery assistant: 'Where is the lift for the Blue Zone?'. They are very used to guiding PRM visitors through the internal corridors to bypass the historic staircases.