Visit FAQs

The museum is open. We are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during term time. Please check our visit page for more information.

To ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit, we're limiting the number of people who can visit each day. To help us manage this, please book free tickets in advance online.

If you are unable to book online, you can book by calling our Contact Centre on 033 0058 0058.

Tickets are available to book online. If you are unable to book online, please call us on 033 0058 0058.

You will receive your ticket by email or you can log into your account. You will need to bring this with you, either on a mobile device or a print-out, as it will have a bar code that needs to be scanned on arrival.

You will receive your tickets by email which you will need to bring with along with you, either on a mobile device or as a print-out. As part of our commitment to sustainability we are asking that you avoid printing tickets where possible. 

The tickets will have a barcode that will be scanned by a contactless scanner on arrival at the museum.  

If you are unable to find the email, you can log into your account on a mobile device and access your tickets from there. If you don’t have an account, please speak to our Contact Centre on 033 0058 0058.

We can’t guarantee that tickets will be available on the day, particularly during busy periods, so we recommend you book tickets online or via the booking team on 033 0058 0058.

We will do our best to accommodate latecomers, however if we’ve reached capacity for the time slot that you have booked, you will be asked to wait until the next available timeslot or book again for another time.

Yes. All advance ticket bookers will receive a pre-visit email with helpful information about how to have a safe and enjoyable day out at our museum.

Visitors should receive this at least 24 hours before their visit. If not please check your spam folder and make sure we’re marked as a safe sender.

We recommend that you set aside an hour and half for your visit (90 minutes), but of course you are welcome to stay longer.

Signs outside the museum will tell you what to expect, and there will be clear markers on the pavement to show you where to queue.

Please ensure you have your ticket with you, preferably on your smart device, as you will be asked to scan this on entry.

You will also receive a pre-visit email with full information.
 

The National Railway Museum is easy to reach by train, car, bus, bike or on foot.

See our travel information page for further details.

You may wish to get up-to-date government guidance on travelling by public transport before planning your journey.

If you can’t make it, please either contact us so we can process any refunds due and release your tickets for someone else to use, or alternatively log in to your account online.

You can reach us on 033 0058 0058 (lines open Monday–Friday, 09.00–17.00). Alternatively, email us at info@ScienceMuseumGroup.ac.uk.

Our phone lines can get very busy so please submit a return request for free tickets up until 08.30 on the day of your visit. You are welcome to book new tickets for another day online.

Please note that donations, including those made as part of your booking, are non-refundable. Your support large or small will make a huge difference—thank you.

If you would like to move your paid tickets to a different day please call our Contact Centre on 033 0058 0058. Our phones lines can get very busy so please bear with us.

If you would be happy to donate the value of your tickets to the museum, please email our Contact Centre at info@ScienceMuseumGroup.ac.uk with your name and order number.

Please note that donations, including those made as part of your booking, are non-refundable. Your support large or small will make a huge difference—thank you.

If you are unable to find the email, you can log into your account on a mobile device and access your tickets from there. If you don’t have an account, please speak to our Contact Centre on 033 0058 0058.

Offering free admission tickets allows us manage the number of visitors in the museum and provide everyone with an enjoyable day out. We would encourage you to Login or create a new account so that we can email you with helpful information in advance of your visit. You can read our Privacy Policy here.

There is no requirement to book in advance and you can still enter the museum at any time when we are not at capacity, without providing any personal data or having a pre-booked ticket.

There are measures in place to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit.

• Please book free, timed admission tickets in advance to help us manage the number of people in the museum at one time
• In line with Government guidance, wearing a face covering at the museum isn’t compulsory. We encourage mask wearing, particularly at busy times, so that everyone feels welcome and safe during their visit
• Your tickets will be scanned by contactless e-scanners 
• Screens are installed at all ticket desks and information points 
• We ask you to make contactless payments where possible
• Hand sanitiser stations are located throughout the museum, including at key points such as entrances, exits and interactive experiences
• We have taken all reasonable steps to provide adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces

Please ensure you follow Government guidelines to keep yourself, your group and others safe. Before your visit you’ll receive an email with helpful information about how to have a safe and enjoyable day out at the museum.

Yes, we have measures in place to ensure everyone can maintain social distancing.

This includes asking you to book free, timed admission tickets in advance to allow us to manage the volume of visitors, and using e-scanners and contactless payments when inside the museum.

Screens will be installed at the main reception points, ticket desks and information points.  

Hand sanitiser stations will be located throughout the museum, including at key points such as entrances, exits, interactive experiences and high-touch areas.  

We have implemented enhanced cleaning regimes throughout the museum in line with government guidance.

In line with Government guidance, wearing a face covering at the museum isn’t compulsory. We encourage mask wearing, particularly at busy times, so that everyone feels welcome and safe during their visit. 

We welcome everyone and recognise there are circumstances where, for health, age or accessibility reasons, some visitors aren’t able to wear face masks or coverings. We hope that all visitors are respectful towards each other but please speak to a member of staff if you feel we could help.

You are asked to wear face masks or coverings until you have sat down with your food or drink. Once at a table all visitors are welcome to remove their face coverings and to enjoy their meal or drink.

Please do not enter the museum if you have symptoms. Find out more about symptoms on the NHS website.

We will be following the latest government guidance on this and ask you to do the same.

In line with Government guidance and to support the NHS Test and Trace, you require a ticket to enter the museum. We will retain the ticket booker’s contact details, in line with GDPR. You can find out more in our privacy policy.

Yes, here is a PDF download of the risk assessment for the National Railway Museum.

Bookings are now open for school visits on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Visit our Learning page for more information and to book.

To receive updates, news and free teaching resources, sign up to our Teacher News emails.
 

• Bookings are open for other educational and out of school group visits. Visit our Learning page for more information and to book

• For non-education and mixed household group visits (such as tour groups) please contact the booking team on 033 0058 0058 or email us at info@ScienceMuseumGroup.ac.uk