Schools: Getting ready for your visit | National Railway Museum

We can’t wait to welcome you to the National Railway Museum for your forthcoming school trip.

Use the information on this page to help you prepare.

You have booked a self-guided visit, exploring the museum's displays under your own steam.

We have a range of free activities and resources to supercharge your visit by inspiring curiosity, questioning and learning.

Your e-tickets show your arrival time of 11.00-11.15. If you are late we will do our best to admit you as soon as we can
Enter via the Main Entrance (well signposted from the city centre and the rear entrance of York Station). There is no dedicated entrance for groups
Have your ticketson— your phone or printed—ready to scan
Give your school's name at the door
One of our team will accompany you to a scanner
Head into the museum to explore at your leisure

Check what’s open to plan your visit
You can stay for as long as you like. We recommend up to two hours
Download our gallery activities to provide a focus
Remind students that they are visiting a public building that's different from school, and they must respect social distancing from other people outside of their bubble
Brief accompanying adults that proactive supervision is required at all times
Your class will enter and leave via the main entrance and exit along with other visitors. We will have social distance measures in place to ensure everyone’s safety
There's no storage for coats and bags. Ask students to travel light as they will need to keep belongings with them
Our picnic areas open but cannot be pre-booked. We recommend you eat lunch back at school or in an outside space if you can. Our picnic spaces will be shared with members of the public
School groups are not currently allowed to visit our shops
If you leave the museum your group will not be able to re-enter, except in the case of an evacuation

We can accommodate up to 40 people in the same bubble (students and accompanying adults)
To allow plenty of space for social distancing we are allowing only one school self-guided visit per day. The museum will also be open to members of the public
Toilet facilities are available throughout the museum, open to all visitors. Students must follow signage explaining how many people can use the facilities at a time
Face coverings must be worn by anyone over the age of 11 unless they are exempt. This is in line with Government guidelines
An enhanced cleaning regime is in place and hand sanitisers are located throughout the museum
To maintain social distancing, our lifts are reserved for people who need to use to them. Please take the stairs to move between floors
Find health and safety information to help you complete your risk assessment
Our insurance cover letter (PDF) provides details about our public liability insurance
For more information about our COVID-19 safety measures visit our FAQs page

If any member of your group bubble has tested positive from COVID-19 or there is a suspected case pending testing, you must not proceed with your trip to the museum
If you are unable to visit due to a confirmed or suspected COVID case or any other reason you must contact us to cancel or rearrange your visit as soon as possible
We are supporting NHS Test and Trace and will retain the trip organiser’s contact details for this purpose. You can read more on our Privacy Policy

Part of the Science Museum Group