Facilities & Access

Shopping

Visit our shop for a range of books, stationery, gifts and pocket money toys. The shop is open from 10.00 until 17.30 every day. A wide of range of gifts and books are also available to buy online at the V&A shop

Eating

The Benugo café at the Museum of Childhood provides hot dishes, salads, sandwiches, pastries and cakes, as well as coffee, hot and cold drinks, wine and beer. The café is open from 10.00 until 17.00 daily. Half portions are available for children. Visit the Benugo website

Packed lunches can be eaten in the outside picnic area and in the Summerly Room (subject to availability) during school holidays.

Photography

You may take photographs or use a video camera in the galleries, but tripods, monopods or supplementary video lighting, are not permitted. Flash photography is permitted. Photography is not permitted where an object's label indicates a private loan.

Photographs can only be used for personal use.

Find out about photography for press and media

Visit the V&A Images picture library

Families

The V&A Museum of Childhood is an ideal destination for families and has a range of suitable facilities to make every visit run smoothly.

Families with very small children may prefer to visit during weekday afternoons when school groups have gone home and the Museum is quieter.

We have a baby feeding room with bottle warming facilities and baby changing facilities are available in both the male and female toilets. The Museum has a buggy park located in the Front Room Gallery. Items are left at the owner's risk.

Visitors with Disabilities

The V&A Museum of Childhood is committed to providing access for all its visitors, whatever their needs. If you are visiting with a group, please discuss any specific requirements with our staff at the time of booking.

Please call the bookings office on +44 (0)20 8983 5205.

Resources for deaf and hard of hearing people

The Museum is equipped with an induction loop sound enhancement system in our classrooms and on our audio visual displays. Ask at the Information Desk for details. With adequate notice, arrangements for British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters can be made for study days and performances. Requests for this service must be made at least two weeks before the event.

Induction loop

An induction loop is available at the Information Desk. To use the loop, you will need to switch your hearing aid to the 'T' position.

Resources for blind and partially sighted people

The Museum has hands-on displays in each gallery. Fabric touch boards, dressing up costumes, books and replica toys are available at various points throughout the Museum. Our team of Activity Assistants run short spotlight tours everyday in the galleries which feature object handling. Ask at the Information Desk or call the bookings office +44 (0)20 8983 5205 for details.

Animals

Assistance dogs are welcome. Water is available on request.

Escort service

If you require an escort, please contact the bookings office on +44 (0)20 8983 5204. Assistance cannot be guaranteed to visitors who do not book in advance.

Resources for people with learning difficulties

There are lots of hands-on activities for visitors to engage with at the Museum. Groups may enjoy spending time in our multi-sensory space located in our Creativity gallery. This sensory experience, specially designed by Mike Ayres Design, incorporates light tubes with a controllable sequence of colours, a tactile mural, an infinity hut and a sound beam bench which converts sound into vibrations.

To make your visit as fulfilling as possible, please let us know of any specific requirements you have at the time of booking.

Resources for wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties

The Museum is wheelchair accessible and wheelchairs are available at the Information Desk. There is a gently sloped approach to the front entrance of the Museum with interior lift and ramp access to all public areas. Seating is available throughout the Museum. Accessible toilets are located on the lower ground floor at the front and rear of the Museum. By prior arrangement, we also have lift access from our car park at the rear entrance of the Museum. Please contact security staff on +44 (0)20 8983 5230 if you have additional enquiries.

Parking

We can offer parking to visitors with access needs. Please call the Museum switchboard on +44 (0)20 8983 5200 to book a parking space before your visit.