Access information

• Visit our online sensory guide to help you prepare for your visit!

• Check out our FAQs here to understand how we’ve changed due to COVID-19

We don’t charge admission for essential carers

You just need to choose the essential carer option when you pre-book your visit so we know you’re coming. This way we can limit the number of visitors in the museum to a safe level. Choose the Essential Carer button when you pre-book on the booking system, and remember to bring proof of your Carer status with you on the day.

Sunflower lanyards for visitors with hidden disabilities

We are part of the Sunflower Lanyard scheme for people with hidden disabilities. Not all disabilities can be seen, so the scheme offers people with conditions such as autism, dementia or sensory impairment a way to be discreetly identifiable, just by wearing the lanyards, pin badges or other sunflower items.

Pick up your free sunflower lanyard or wristband at our tills.

Free Super Sunday and Holiday Clubs

We run regular clubs for families with disabled children which are lots of fun and completely free! Clubs take place once a month with activities designed for specific disabilities, plus clubs for any disability during the school holidays. Please note that all clubs are currently paused due to COVID-19.

• Find out more about our Super Clubs

Need an Extra Pair of Hands?

Days out with kids can be stressful at the best of times, but particularly so if one of your children is disabled. We offer a free, unique service called Extra Pair of Hands which can be booked up to two weeks before your visit. A trained member of the team will call to discuss your child’s likes, dislikes and any triggers, and the same person will then join you for two hours during your visit to support, help you all have fun and really tailor your Eureka! experience for you – that’s right – your very own extra pair of hands!

Our Extra Pair of Hands service is currently unavailable due to COVID-19.

Autism Friendly Award

Sensory conditions – Planning your visit

We know that many visitors with autism and other sensory conditions find it beneficial to prepare for their visit and have prior insight into the sensory input involved in a visit to Eureka!, that’s why we’ve created an online Sensory Guide. The Eureka! – a practical guide for parents, teachers and children to read before visiting.

• Visit the Eureka! Sensory Guide

Toilets and Changing Places

We have a Changing Places toilet available as well as all access toilets on both floors. You’re also welcome to use either of our First Aid rooms with adult-sized beds if required.

• Changing Places toilet on the Ground Floor
  A changing facility with toilet, Robin tracking hoist with maximum load of 200 kg, height adjustable changing bed and washbasin, privacy screens and enough space for two carers and a wheelchair user.

• All-access toilets on both floors
  Both left hand transfer space with vertical rails at the side of the toilet and basin, a changing mat, and low level light switches, hooks, taps and hand driers.

Info for Visitors with…

• Autism and other sensory conditions

  We’ve got a quiet space called our “chill out room” available for your use. It’s a calm, relaxed room with big cushions and other things to help you take some time out from the museum. Just ask any member of the team if you’d like to use the room.On the rare occasion that the chill out room is in use, we’ll find another quiet room for you to use.

• Visual impairments

  Eureka! is full of multi-sensory exhibits, and our information leaflets and flyers are available in large print if required – just ask at the Info desk. The main entrance area is well lit with natural light, and there is level access with a lift between floors.

• Hearing impairments

  Our admissions tills include an induction loop – just ask if you’d like to use it.  Many members of our front of house team are learning BSL.

• Wheelchair users or with mobility difficulties

  There are dedicated parking spaces for disabled visitors about 50m from our main entrance. If you’d like some assistance on arrival, please ask any member of the team.
  We’ve got a number of wheelchairs available to borrow while you visit – just ask when you arrive or call ahead on 01422 330069. Access at the main entrance to the museum is completely level, we have a low level counter at our admissions desk, and a lift between floors.

If there is any way that we can support your visit, please don’t hesitate to ask any member of our team.