Sensory Friendly Event: World Autism Awareness Day

To celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, we’re turning the sound down and creating a relaxed, fun and supportive atmosphere that welcomes people on the autism spectrum or with other access requirements to experience the museum and Discovering Ancient Egypt and SparkLab.

Sensory Friendly Sessions create a supportive environment where people of all ages can spend quiet time, wander at their own pace, and engage in conversations with museum staff who are all trained in Autism and disability awareness.

During Sensory Friendly Sessions we make the following changes to exhibitions to create a low sensory experience: 

• Turning off the audio and reducing lighting effects. 
• Limiting available tickets in paid exhibitions. 
• Providing a Quiet Room. This is a room where you can chill out and use the toys, books, and activities provided. Food and covered drinks are permitted in this room. 
• Earmuffs and Sensory kits are available to be borrowed. Sensory kits come in a handy bag and include a few fidget toys and a kids book. These resources can be borrowed outside of Sensory Friendly Sessions. 

Entry is free to the museum’s permanent galleries, although bookings are essential to ensure visitors can comfortably explore the museum. 

• Discovering Ancient Egypt and SparkLab are paid entry and numbers are strictly limited. Your paid ticket includes access to the museum’s permanent galleries. 
• Companion cards and children under 5 years old are free, no booking required.

For more information, please refer to our Accessibility page.