Frequently asked questions for group leaders.
FAQs
Entry to the museum—including our object galleries—is free but charges apply for some activities. Please check the individual web pages for details.
The museum is open seven days a week, 10.00–17.00 (last entry 16.30).
It is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December.
Any changes will be listed on our visiting pages.
We ask all groups to book in advance.
This enables you to access group discounts for charged activities and guarantees your tickets for events that have limited capacity. It also allows us to send you information that might affect your trip and it makes check-in quicker and easier when you arrive.
You can check live availability, plan, book, pay for and manage visits online using our group booking portal.
If your booking is for a free visit and does not include charged activities you can make changes at any time, subject to availability of tickets.
If your booking incudes changed activities, you can increase the number of visitors on your e-ticket at any time, subject to availability and provided that you pay any additional sums which may be charged for the increase by credit or debit card upon changing the booking. You can do this by logging into your online account or calling us on 033 0058 0058.
For all other changes, including reductions in visitor numbers, date changes or cancellations, the following terms apply:
i. If you have chosen to pay by invoice (only available to you if you are an establishment delivering formal education (nursery, primary, secondary, tertiary, and higher education), it will not be possible to change or cancel your booking, and you will remain liable for the full value of the invoice in all circumstances. We are unable to transfer your e-ticket to another date or reduce the number of visitors on your e-ticket, and no refund will be available if your group or part of your group is no longer able to attend on the date of the relevant event.
ii. If you have chosen to pay by credit or debit card, and your visit is not due to take place for 28 days or more, you may request to change or cancel your booking by emailing info@sciencemuseumgroup.ac.uk. Your email should include your order number and details of the change or cancellation requested. Any changes to your order are subject to availability.
iii. If you have chosen to pay by credit or debit card, and your visit is due to take place in less than 28 days, it will not be possible to change or cancel your booking and you will not be entitled to a refund in any circumstances. We are unable to transfer your e-ticket to another date or reduce the number of visitors on your e-ticket, and no refund will be available if your group or part of your group is no longer able to attend on the date of the relevant event.
If your booking is for a free visit and does not include charged activities, you can cancel your visit at any time.
If your booking includes charged activities the following terms apply:
i. If you have chosen to pay by invoice (only available to you if you are an establishment delivering formal education (nursery, primary, secondary, tertiary, and higher education), it will not be possible to change or cancel your booking, and you will remain liable for the full value of the invoice in all circumstances. We are unable to transfer your e-ticket to another date or reduce the number of visitors on your e-ticket, and no refund will be available if your group or part of your group is no longer able to attend on the date of the relevant event.
ii. If you have chosen to pay by credit or debit card, and your visit is not due to take place for 28 days or more, you may request to change or cancel your booking by emailing info@sciencemuseumgroup.ac.uk. Your email should include your order number and details of the change or cancellation requested. Any changes to your order are subject to availability.
iii. If you have chosen to pay by credit or debit card, and your visit is due to take place in less than 28 days, it will not be possible to change or cancel your booking and you will not be entitled to a refund in any circumstances. We are unable to transfer your e-ticket to another date or reduce the number of visitors on your e-ticket, and no refund will be available if your group or part of your group is no longer able to attend on the date of the relevant Event.
Please read our full booking and cancellation terms.
It is always helpful for us to know that you are unable to attend because we can release your tickets to other groups.
For safeguarding, and to ensure health and safety in the museum, our adult to child ratio policy for groups is:
Ages 5 and under – 1:4
Ages 5 to 11 – 1:8
Ages 11 to 16 – 1:10
Ages 16 to 18 – 1:30
Over-18s – 1 responsible adult per group
Please ensure you have enough adults before you request your visit.
Children arriving without accompanying adults may not be allowed into the museum.
The museum is a public place so please remind your group to respect other visitors, exhibits and museum staff.
Many irreplaceable exhibits are on open display so you can get close to them. To preserve their longevity, please remind your group not to touch or climb on them. CCTV and security officers are in place throughout the building to monitor this.
We expect visitors of all ages to adhere to this code of conduct and poor behaviour could mean that people are asked to leave.
Please read our safeguarding information before your visit. If you have any concerns during your visit please contact a member of staff immediately.
Visit organisers are responsible for carrying out their own risk assessment. See our health and safety information and hazard identification sheet to help you complete yours.
Our insurance confirmation letter (PDF) provides details about our public liability insurance.
Yes. You can request a 30-minute slot in our picnic area when you complete your booking, but lunch spaces are subject to availability.
Yes. You and your group can visit the shop. We recommend that you split into smaller groups when visiting the shop. Your help in supporting younger students with their purchases is invaluable, especially at the tills.
We also have goody bags that can be pre-ordered. Prices range from £3.50 to £10.00 per bag per person. Information on how to place your order can be found on these forms:
If you haven't visited with your group before, we recommend a pre-visit to familiarise yourself with the galleries, test run our activity sheets and plan your routes around the museum site. Contact us in advance to request free teacher preview tickets for Wonderlab.
Check for gallery closures that might impact on your plans.
Visit our Accessibility page for general information and please tell us about any access requirements when you make your booking so that we can provide the best advice.
Please see our Travel Information page.
We don’t have any coach or minibus parking spaces on-site. Please see our Travel Information page for further travel information.
Please see our Travel Information page for information about accessible parking.
If you’re having issues using our Group Booking Portal, please ensure your web browser is up to date.
If you’re still encountering issues, please contact us on 033 0058 0058.
Yes, the National Railway Museum holds a Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge. This means we are recognised for our quality educational provision and effective risk management.
For Groups with a Wonderlab booking there is free storage for coats and small bags which can be used for the duration of your visit to the gallery. For groups without a Wonderlab booking, cages are available to hire for a £10 fee. This is payable in person at our ticket desk only on a first-come, first-served basis. This storage is not currently available to book on our group booking portal or through our Group Contact Centre.