Wellcome Collection is wheelchair-accessible and offers a range of services for visitors with disabilities.

For more information about access at Wellcome Collection or to discuss in detail how we might best cater to your specific needs, please contact:
T +44 (0)20 7611 2222
E access@wellcomecollection.org

General accessibility

Step-free access is available to all floors of the building (via platform and passenger lifts).

Assistance animals are welcome. At the ground floor Information Point, we will be happy to supply your animal with a drink of water.

Wheelchairs are available to borrow during your visit. Please ask at the ground floor Information Point or contact us in advance to reserve.

Blue Badge parking: We have a limited number of parking bays available to book for visitors who are Blue Badge holders. Please contact us in advance of your visit to book a space, providing your name and contact details, your date and approximate time of arrival, and your vehicle's description and registration number. Parking bays are subject to availability and confirmed on reply. 

The car park is located at basement level, reached using a car lift. The car park is accessed from Gower Place, immediately behind Wellcome Collection. This street is one-way only and is accessed via Gordon Street. The silver car lifts are located halfway along Gower Place on the right-hand side. The rightmost lift is used to access the car park. On arrival, please press the buzzer marked '215 Security' or, if this is not possible, call 020 7611 2222. 

There are also several Blue Badge parking bays located a short distance away from Wellcome Collection in the local area. Check Blue Badge London’s map for nearby locations.

Adapted toilets are located on lower ground 2, lower ground 1, the ground floor, the first floor and the second floor.

Fixed induction loops are located at the ground floor Information Point, Library enquiry desks, the Conference Centre reception, and within the Conference Centre meeting rooms and Forum events space.

Emergency procedures: Wellcome Collection has emergency procedures for the safe evacuation of people with disabilities. Please contact us if you require assistance or would like further information on our procedures.

Exhibits and interpretation

Magnifying glasses and sheets are available to borrow from the ground floor Information Point.

Large print label guides are available for our permanent exhibitions and for certain temporary exhibitions. Please ask at the ground floor Information Point for more information.

Braille labels and tactile reproductions accompany featured objects set in their own cases around the outer edge of our permanent collection Medicine Man.

Guided audio described tours are available for blind and partially sighted visitors. These tours are led by Wellcome Collection staff who have been trained in audio description by VocalEyes. These tours are free and available on request subject to availability. If you are interested in arranging an audio described tour, please contact us in advance of your visit to ensure a member of staff is available.

Events supported with audio description for blind and partially sighted visitors are available.  Listings for upcoming audio described events can be found on our Events page. Look out for the AD symbol to see which events are supported with audio description.

BSL (British Sign Language) tours and events are held monthly at Wellcome Collection. On the last Thursday of every month at 18.00, we hold a free BSL-interpreted gallery tour. There is no need to book - just meet your guide and interpreter by the ground floor Information Point.

Listings for upcoming BSL-interpreted events and tours can be found on our Events page. Look out for the hands symbol to see which events and tours are BSL-interpreted.

To put your name down on our BSL mailing list, please email access@wellcomecollection.org.

‘Audio guides’ for our Medicine Man exhibition are now available, taking in highlights of objects around the gallery. You will hear from our own team of Visitor Services Assistants, as well as curators, researchers and other experts. There are 25 guides, available in English, French and British Sign Language with subtitles. Please ask a member of staff if you wear a hearing aid and would like an induction loop.

Live speech to text transcription is available for certain events live speech-to-text transcription so that deaf, deafened and hard of hearing visitors can also follow what’s being said. We offer at least one STT event per Wellcome Collection season.Please see our events listings or contact us for further information.

We are currently trialing a portable, live speech to text system so that deaf, deafened and hard of hearing visitors will be able to access guided tours of our exhibitions. Please contact us for further information.

Portable induction loops and amplifiers are available on request for visitors wishing to take part in our guided gallery tours. If you would like to make use of this equipment, or for further information, please contact us in advance of your visit or visit the information point on the ground floor of Wellcome Collection.

Guided visits are also available to those with extra access needs. A member of the Visitor Services team will be happy to accompany you on your visit to Wellcome Collection, guiding you around exhibitions and providing extra interpretation where needed. To discuss how a member of our team might best assist you with your visit, and to check availability, please contact us in advance of your visit.

Wellcome Collection Access Statement [pdf]