FAQ for visitors

For opening times, instructions on how to get to the museum, and further information, please check our Plan Your Visit page.

We welcome suitably trained assistance dogs. They must be under your control during your visit. Ideally, your dog should remain on a lead and wear a relevant tabard or harness.

Where possible, dog owners should bring their Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) identification book. Your dog should wear an appropriate tabard or harness, but this is not a requirement for entry.

If your assistance dog is not registered with ADI, ADUK or IGDF, we reserve the right to deny entry to your dog if it does not appear to have been appropriately trained.

If you plan to visit with an assistance animal other than an assistance dog, please get in touch to discuss your request with us to avoid disappointment on the day at bookings@designmuseum.org or by calling 020 3862 5900 and selecting option 3 for Accessibility.

The nearest dog toilet is located in Holland Park. Unfortunately we cannot admit pets to the museum.

For further access information including accessible parking, sensory maps or large print guides to temporary exhibitions, please visit our Access page.

Members can access all exhibitions for free at any time following our opening hours. Simply show your Digital Membership Card at the entrance. No pre-booking is needed, even if exhibition tickets are sold out. As a member, you only need to book for events other than exhibitions.

If you need assistance with your Membership, please contact the team at Membership@designmuseum.org with your Membership number.

The Design Museum offers various membership tiers to serve different needs. Visit our Become a member page to find out more about how you can join.

After booking a ticket, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a reference number and barcode. On the day of your visit, you must present the barcode ticket on your digital device (or printed if you wish) to a member of staff at the gallery entrance.

Tickets for exhibitions and events are subject to availability. Once a date sells out online, we will have a limited number of tickets available to sell onsite if the event is not already completely sold out. We recommend booking in advance via our website to avoid disappointment on the day.

Entry to our permanent collection display, ‘Designer Maker User’, is free and you don’t need to book a ticket. The same applies to other free displays across the museum.

Our free displays are open to visit daily. For opening times, please check our Opening hours page.

Please note that educational groups must pre-book their visit.

Educational groups must pre-book their visit via our booking portal.

Please note that for groups larger than 34 students, you'll need to make multiple bookings. Optionally, please email bookings@designmuseum.org with the subject SCHOOL VISIT.

For further information about educational group visits, including resources for teachers and free online lesson plans, please visit our Schools and Colleges webpage.

It varies. On average, most visitors spend at least one hour in our biggest exhibition space (Gallery 1), and slightly less in our smaller space (Gallery 2). Once you have entered, you are welcome to enjoy the exhibition content as long as you choose to, following the museum's opening hours. Please be mindful of our closing times, and plan your visit in advance to give you enough time to enjoy our displays and facilities including our cafe, restaurant and shops.

We have a small cafe, The Design Cafe, located on the ground floor, where you can purchase hot drinks, soft drinks and snacks. We have a bigger space where you can order food and drink, the Design Kitchen, located on level 2. For more information, please check our Eat and Drink page.

If you are bringing your own snacks, you can use the seatings available on the atrium's ground floor and mezzanine.

There's a water fountain on level -1 where you can can fill up your water bottle.

Please be advised that no food or drink is allowed inside the galleries, only bottled water.

We have three shops onsite, and an online shop.

Find out more about the museum shops via the Design Museum shops page, and visit our online shop website to discover a curated selection of amazing designs.

We have a selection of smaller and larger lockers available on Level -1, subject to availability. It costs £1, non-refundable (coin), which supports the museum. You can also purchase a token at our atrium shop using your card or mobile payment. You can access level 1 via lift or stairs.

Lockers dimensions:

• Larger lockers – 115cm x 52cm x 48cm

• Medium lockers – 57cm x 52cm x48cm

• Small lockers – 57cm x 37cm x 48cm

Photography and filming on personal devices are permitted in the museum, but no flash is allowed. Please be mindful and keep other members of the public out of the shot. The use of tripods and selfie sticks is not permitted. Please follow the 'No Photography' signs that are in use and observe any guidance given by our team.

If you wish to film or photograph the museum and its exhibitions for Press or request existing museum or installation imagery, please email pr@designmuseum.org with further information regarding your request.

NHS workers, seniors (65 years and over), individuals with disabilities, job seekers and Museum Association cardholders. Individuals with disabilities can also add a complimentary Carer ticket to their booking. If you need help, get in touch with the Bookings team via bookings@designmuseum.org with the details of your booking.

Those aged 16+ who are in full-time education. We accept British and non-British Student IDs. You must present your student card at the gallery entrance.

Any queries related to Ticketmaster should be done via their support form, and their team will assist with your query.

Discover our exciting programme of talks and workshops for adults and young people.

Visit our Contact information for further information.

If you have lost belongings when visiting us, please contact bookings@designmuseum.org providing a description of the lost items.

Background image: Art Fund © Hydar Dewachi for the Design Museum