General information
We will welcome visitors back from Tuesday 4 August at 11.00.
We will be reopening gradually, please see below for dates:
WEEK 1
- Tuesday 4 August 2020, 11.00–16.00
- Thursday 6 August 2020, 11.00–16.00
- Saturday 8 August 2020, 11.00–16.00
WEEK 2
- Wednesday 12 August, 11.00–17.00
- Friday 14 August, 11.00–17.00
- Saturday 15 August, 11.00–17.00
- Sunday 16 August, 11.00–17.00
WEEK 3
Open 11.00–17.00 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
WEEK 4 ONWARDS
Open 10.00–17.00 every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
These reduced opening hours will enable us to carry out enhanced cleaning regimes. It will also give us the time to regularly review our offer and safety measures, ensuring you get the best experience when you visit us.
We welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement to allow for the safe reopening of museums and galleries to the public from 4 July.
The safety of our visitors and staff is our top priority. We are working hard to ensure all the appropriate measures are in place for a safe and enjoyable visit and are taking the time to consult with government and other partners to get this right ahead of our reopening.
We are very keen to get your feedback following your visit. If you have any suggestions about how we could improve your experience, please let us know by emailing info@railwaymuseum.org.uk.
At first, Great Hall, the Great Hall café, Mallard Experience, the Highlights exhibition and the shop will be open. Station Hall and the outdoor play area will be open from Wednesday 19 August. For a complete list of what's open and closed, see the Visit page.
We will also be asking visitors to observe social distancing, pre-book tickets to allow us to manage visitor numbers and follow one-way routes around the museum. There will be additional measures in place to ensure safety, including hand sanitiser stations throughout the museum and enhanced cleaning regimes.
Full details of what to expect will be sent to you as part of your pre-visit email, and we will update our website regularly.
Ticketing and getting to the museum
Yes. We have introduced a system of free ticketing to help us manage the volume of visitors and ensure social distancing. You will be able to select a date and time to visit.
Tickets are available up to three weeks in advance.
Tickets are now available to book online. Tickets are available up to three weeks in advance. If you are unable to book online, please call us on 0800 047 8124.
You will receive your ticket by email. 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.
In the interest of sustainability, we would ask you not to print your ticket. Instead, we recommend bringing it with you on a mobile device. However, printed tickets will be accepted.
We cannot guarantee that tickets will be available on the day.
If you do come to the museum without a ticket, we will still ask that you book, either using your smartphone, by calling the call centre or by speaking to a member of our Visitor Experience team at the entrance. Depending on the number of visitors already in the museum, it may be that you can book a ticket for the current time, or you may need to wait until the next available time slot.
We will do our best to accommodate you. However, if you miss your time slot and the museum reaches capacity, you may be asked to wait or to book again for an alternative date and time.
This is for the safety of visitors and colleagues, so we can maintain social distancing inside the museum.
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.
What should I do if I haven't received the pre-visit email with helpful information about my visit to the 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.
Safety
Yes, we have measures in place to ensure everyone can maintain social distancing.
This includes asking you to book free, timed tickets in advance to allow us to manage the volume of visitors, and using e-scanners and contactless payments when inside the museum.
In Station Hall we will also be asking visitors to use easy-to-follow, one-way routes that will be clearly marked.
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.
Yes, visitors to our museums will be required to wear face coverings, in line with Government guidance, for your safety and the safety of other visitors and staff.
We welcome everyone and recognise there are circumstances where, for health, age or accessibility reasons, some visitors will not be able to wear face masks or coverings. We hope that fellow visitors will be respectful and if you feel anybody’s conduct towards you is inappropriate, we would urge you to speak to a member of staff who will assist you immediately.
The Government lists specific ‘legitimate reasons’ why people do not need to wear a face covering, including:
- children under the age of 11
- not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- If putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
- If you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
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.
Please note that when you make a booking we will retain your name and telephone number or email address for as long as necessary for the purposes of NHS Test and Trace. You can find out more in our privacy policy.
Facilities
Yes, but you'll need to pre-book your food with your free entry ticket. See the Visit page for more information.
You are welcome to bring your own food. Picnic areas will be clearly signposted.
Yes, our main shop by the entrance and exit will be open during museum hours. The shop in Great Hall will be closed until further notice.
We would be grateful if you could use contactless payments where possible to limit the need to pass anything to our colleagues. However, we will accept cash.
Toilets and baby-changing facilities will be open, and we have introduced new hygiene measures and enhanced cleaning regimes in these areas.
School and group bookings
Guidance is currently being updated.
To be updated when bookings re-open and to receive news and free teaching resources, sign up to our Teacher News emails.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate group visits outside of your household or bubble until further notice.
