The Museum is a largely unaltered building from early 19th century and is listed Grade I. For this reason access for some people with disabilities is limited. We ask disabled visitors to contact the Museum in advance whenever possible - this enables us to ensure that staff and, if required, wheelchairs, are available without delay. All groups (more than 6 people constitutes a group) have to make bookings before visiting the Museum and, in the case of a group of people with disabilities, the booking enables staff to make preparations (such as organising touching sessions) and, if requested, to provide an appropriate introductory talk.

Parking

There are four disabled parking bays on the west side of the square; however, these are restricted for use by Camden Green Badge holders. The Museum is currently negotiating with Camden Council to have these reclassified for use by all Blue Badge Holders.

Visitors with physical disabilities

If visitors using standard wheelchairs can manage the eight steps to the entrance door with the help of companions or our warding staff, they can then transfer to one of two specially manufactured narrow wheelchairs. The Museum always makes staff available to assist visitors to enter the building: this has in the past included carrying people in their wheelchairs up the front steps or taking one of the Museum's wheelchairs out to a car parked outside to bring a visitor to the front gate. Every possible help is offered.

By using one of the Museum's own narrow wheelchairs the visitor can see all the principal historic interiors: the Library and Dining Room, the Breakfast Parlour, the celebrated Picture Room containing the Museum's two sets of Hogarth paintings, the Study and Dressing Room, the Dome area and the New Picture Room with its Canalettos. Soane's imaginative architecture also allows parts of the basement 'Crypt' to be viewed from above. Without going down the stairs to the basement a visitor in a wheelchair can see part of the Monk's Parlour and the 'Sepulchral Chamber' and its centrepiece, the celebrated Sarcophagus of the Pharaoh Seti I. Many of Soane's windows are placed low, some going down to floor level, and this enables a visitor in a wheelchair to also view the Monument Court and Monk's Yard, with their arrangements of sculpture, from the ground floor.

The two public rooms on the first floor, the North and South Drawing Rooms, cannot be viewed without ascending a long curving flight of stairs and are therefore inaccessible to those confined to a wheelchair. However, if a visitor can manage to go up these stairs (or down the short flight of stairs to the basement) with assistance, then Museum staff will provide the necessary help and bring a wheelchair after them.

Visitors whose mobility is less severely impaired and who, for example, are using crutches or sticks, can access the whole Museum. Members of staff are available to assist as necessary and the Museum's wheelchairs are available on request. Chairs will be brought out if any visitor needs to sit down and are available in some parts of the Museum.

Visitors with sensory disabilities

The visually impaired

Our staff will do everything possible to try and maximise the enjoyment of any visually impaired person in visiting the Museum. We will always try, if requested, to make a member of staff available to go round with someone to describe the Museum and its contents.

A list of objects in the Museum which may be touched is available on request. Curatorial staff can also give special tours of the building. Such visits require careful planning but the presence of a member of curatorial staff makes it possible for the participants to touch the building fabric and works of art to a much greater extent than would be possible if they were visiting independently. Guide dogs are welcome at the Museum.

Large print and Braille versions of the Museum's leaflet guide, the Short Description, are available for loan or purchase at the Museum. A Braille translation of the New Description, the Museum's very detailed main guide book, is also available. Copies of these are in the Libraries of all the RNIB-listed Schools for the blind.

The Museum provides large-print copies of the labels and panels for temporary exhibitions held in the Soane Gallery, which can be borrowed by any visitor while looking at the exhibition.

Visitors with auditory impairments

A basic information sheet is available at the front door to explain the Museum's policy about coats and bags and to provide basic information about the location of lavatories, availability of guide books etc.

The curatorial staff can provide an introductory talk working with an interpreter using sign language or enhanced pronunciation for lip-reading. Most deaf groups bring their own interpreters but the Museum is happy to arrange for one via Camden Council given appropriate notice. It is also possible for groups to bring their own deaf-loop for use in the Old Kitchen if they are having a detailed lecture or discussion on the Museum. When funds allow the Museum plans to acquire a portable deaf loop.

A number of the Warding staff have attended Deaf Awareness training days with RNID recommended staff.

Visitors with learning difficulties or other disabilities

The Museum has often welcomed groups of young people and adults with learning difficulties or mental illness. All groups have to book in advance and this provides an opportunity for group leaders to plan an appropriate talk or other programme with the Museum in advance. Our curatorial staff will be happy to assist in any way they can and our Children's Education Officer (Jane Monahan, jmonahan@soane.org.uk) can help to plan special workshops and tours for groups of under-18s.

Other Access Provision

The Research Library and Archive

The Research Library contains Soane's collection of 30,000 architectural drawings and 10,000 books along with a small working Library of modern books and information files on Soane, Robert Adam and other relevant architects or areas of interest. The Archive contains Soane's business and personal papers. Both the Library and Archive are accessible by appointment, Tuesday to Friday 10-1, 2-5 and Saturday morning 10-1: we try to accommodate visitors who arrive without appointments if space permits.

The Library is on the first floor and is not accessible to wheelchair users. However, the staff are always happy to bring drawings, books and archives down to the ground floor on a Monday (when the Museum is closed) or (subject to the Museum's own schedule) at other times, by appointment. Written (by post or email) and telephone queries about all the Museum's collections are welcomed.

The collection of 30,000 drawings is available on microfilm. This is available commercially (many libraries in Europe and America have copies of it) and is also available in the Museum. Members of staff are happy to advise anyone who cannot call in person to access the microfilm of an appropriate institution where they could see it. The Concise Catalogue is available on-line.

A catalogue of Soane's Library of almost 10,000 books and pamphlets is in preparation. Once completed this will also be available on-line.

Ordering photographs and Museum Publications

The Museum runs a photography service and transparencies, prints or slides of any item in the Museum's collections can be ordered by telephone or post. Microfilm print-outs of most drawings for a more modest cost can also be provided. Follow this link for full details.

The Museum sells a wide range of books on Soane and related subjects along with many postcards, exhibition posters etc. If you are unable to visit the Museum in person you can purchased publications by mail or telephone order. Credit cards are accepted or invoices can be sent out. Publications can be ordered on-line from the shop.