Covid-19 Checklist

Safe and Sound Guidelines

The following measures have been introduced to ensure visitors and staff are safe to enjoy the museum. Please read them carefully.

Find out more about local restrictions on the government website Gov.uk.

IMPORTANT
From Monday 19 July, please refer to the new guidelines:
Covid-19 visit information

This symbol indicates that the museum followed government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and have a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

Before your visit

Your pre-visit checklist

Online pre-booking required for all visitors including Design Museum Members to access the building for free and paid exhibitions.

Before you leave the house, please make sure you have the following:

FACE COVERING

Face coverings are compulsory for all aged 11+ unless exempt.

Face shields can also be worn, but always together with a cloth face covering.

Face covering available for purchase in the Design Museum High Street Shop.

APPS

Keep yourself and others safe with the NHS COVID-19 app – have the Track and Trace app downloaded on your phone before you arrive.

Enhance your visit with the BLOOMBERG CONNECTS app.
Engage with the Charlotte Perriand: The Modern Life exhibition from anywhere with a new Design Museum digital guide, part of the free Bloomberg Connects app.

CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD

Or a contactless mobile payment system if you'd like to make any purchases in one of the Design Museum shops.

Cashless sales only.

HEADPHONES

IF YOU ARE VISITING SNEAKERS UNBOXED: STUDIO TO STREET
Please bring your own wired headphones to safely enjoy multimedia exhibits. IMPORTANT: 3.5mm jack only. Bluetooth headphones will not work.

IF YOU ARE VISITING CHARLOTTE PERRIAND: THE MODERN LIFE
OPTIONAL: Bring your own headphones (any type) if you wish to enjoy the accompanying audio guide available in the Bloomberg app on your phone.

£1 COIN

To use a locker if storage is needed for bags and coats (non-refundable).

Please note the retail staff won't be able to provide any change since the shops will not be handling cash.

WATER BOTTLE

Drinking water is available on-site. However, no disposable cups are provided. Please, make sure you have one before entering the museum, you won't be allowed to go out and come back to the building even during your time slot.
It's recommended to eat before your visit, if possible.
The museum's cafe and restaurant are closed until further notice.

pre-booking

Why do I need to pre-book my tickets?

To ensure everyone's safety, the museum limits the number of visitors entering its building and exhibitions. All tickets must be purchased in advance so that capacity is manageable inside the galleries.

All visitors have pre-booked time slots throughout the day. For this reason, spaces are limited, and we strongly suggest that you reserve tickets as early as possible for your preferred date and time to avoid disappointment.

Although it won't be possible to purchase tickets at the museum, admission slots can still be booked online on the day of your visit, if available.

If you do not have access to a computer, advance bookings can be made by calling on +44 20 3862 5937 (Mon - Fri 10.00 to 17.00).

Tickets are subject to availability and are not confirmed until you have received a confirmation from the team.

Do I need to book a time slot online if I am a member?

Members must book a members-only time slot in advance of their visit. Instructions are shared with all members. If you haven't received your bookings information, please contact membership@designmuseum.org

Can I change the date of my tickets?

If you feel unwell on the day of your visit, you can postpone your exhibition ticket for another date. Please contact bookings@designmuseum.org (Mon - Fri 10.00 to 17.00) or call +44 20 3862 5937, with your booking reference number.

Can I get a refund if the exhibition is cancelled?

If the exhibition has to be postponed or cancelled due to future COVID-19 restrictions and the introduction of new safety measures, you will always be able to either donate your ticket to support the museum or request a full refund.

How do I get in touch if I need to speak to a member of your team?

During weekends, the on-site Visitor Experience team will be on hand to answer any questions or respond to any concerns you might have.
For general bookings information and school group visits please contact bookings@designmuseum.org or call on +44 20 3862 5937.

During your visit

What is the museum doing differently to ensure my safety?

  • A unique queuing system to ensure social distancing

  • Bike parking capacity has been doubled so that you can cycle to the museum

  • A new paperless experience, with pre-booked online time slots only

  • Hands-free experience with no touch screens or interactives

  • Visitor capacity in the gallery has been more than halved to allow space for social distancing

  • All tickets are timed to a maximum of 1 hour

  • Extra cleaning slots added throughout the day

  • Hand sanitiser stations will be available, including near the lockers, so you can still drop off your bags and enjoy your visit

  • All visitors and staff must follow social distancing across the museum

  • All visitors and staff must wear a face-covering* to protect others, unless exempt
    *Face coverings are compulsory for all aged 11+.
    Face shields can also be worn, but always together with a cloth face covering.

What time should I arrive?

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your time slot and allow a short amount of time for queuing.

If you think you will be late for your allocated time slot, please speak to a staff member on-site who will admit you as soon as possible, when visitor numbers permit. You do not need to contact the museum in advance to do this.

Museum Facilities

Will there be any food and drink available?

Free potable water will be available should you need it.
The museum does not provide disposable cups; please bring your own travel mug or bottle.
The museum's cafe and restaurant remain closed until further notice.
There are several places to eat nearby the museum.

Will the library be open?

Please note that the museum's library is closed to the public until further notice.

Will there be a cloakroom or lockers to leave my belongings?

The museum does not have a cloakroom.
Lockers are available on level -1 for any baggage up to the standard airline carry on size.
Please bring a £1 coin to use the locker (non-refundable).
Hand sanitiser stations will be available near the lockers, so you can still drop off your bags and enjoy your visit.

Will the toilets be open?

The Access Toilet on the ground floor and all toilets on level -1 will be open.

Plan your visit

Make the most of your visit by visiting the shops, becoming a member or joining one of the museum's inspiring talks, courses and workshops.

Access information

The Design Museum warmly welcomes visitors with disabilities and their companions.

Illustrations by Romaine Delaney