Exhibitions Relaxed Opening Hours
Exhibitions Relaxed Opening
Join us for a Relaxed Opening of our exhibitions suitable for visitors with a neurodivergent profile, sensory processing differences, SEND, neurological conditions or anxiety and their families, companions and carers.
What to expect
The Relaxed Opening allows you to visit our exhibitions with fewer people in the gallery, a more relaxed attitude towards noise and movement, and additional support.
Special adjustments will include:
Fewer tickets are available per time slot, so the galleries will be less busy than usual
A small Chill Room will be available on Level -1, near the gallery entrance and exit
A selection of tactile materials from the exhibition will be available to touch during the relaxed opening
You can download a Sensory Map and a Large Print Guide for each exhibition space from our Access Information webpage, and also on this page (please scroll down to find out more)
A print copy of the Sensory Maps and Large Print Guides will be available onsite during the Relaxed opening. Please ask a member of staff for assistance
Please note:
You must purchase a ticket to each exhibition
The museum’s cafés, shops, and other displays are also open to the public from 10:00am
A video description of the entrance journey to the museum will be added to this page soon
You can use the museum's free Wi-Fi during your visit by setting up a free account
The recommended time to see the exhibitions is approximately one hour for each gallery space, but this really varies from visitor to visitor
How to book your ticket:
Pre-booking online is required as spaces are limited
Ticket sales are limited to 50% capacity, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment
Tickets are non-refundable. If you cannot make it to the event, please contact the team via the email bookings@designmuseum.org as soon as possible, and we will get in touch to exchange your ticket for another time.
After your booking, you will receive an automated email to confirm your purchase. And, 4 days before the event date, you will receive an email with further information to help you prepare for your visit
Suitable Age: 12 +. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible, ticket-holding adult
Scroll down for more information and booking links.
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style Relaxed Opening
Wednesday 11 June, 10:00 – 12:00
Across three in-depth sections that reflect the three locations in which we swim — the pool, the lido and nature — the exhibition will dive into design’s role in shaping our relationship with swimming, both in the water and beside it.
Location: Level -1 (wheelchair entrance via Level -2)
Visit the exhibition webpage for further information about Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style
More than Human Relaxed Opening
Wednesday 30 July 2025, 10:00 – 12:00
Wednesday 17 September 2025, 10:00 – 12:00
Featuring art, design, architecture and technology, this thought-provoking show will present visitors with radical ideas on how to design with — and better understand — the living world. By bringing together over 140 works spanning contemporary and traditional practices, fine art, product design, architecture and interactive installations, the exhibition will explore how humans can relearn to design with and for the natural world in the face of climate emergency.
Open from July 2025.
Location: Ground Floor
Visit the exhibition webpage for further information about More than Human
Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s Relaxed Opening
Wednesday 29 October 2025, 10:00 – 12:00
Open from September 2025.
Location: Level -1 (wheelchair entrance via Level -2)
Visit the exhibition webpage for further information about Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s
Wes Anderson: The Archives Relaxed Opening
Wednesday, 21 January 2026, 10:00 – 12:00
This landmark retrospective exhibition will chart the evolution of Wes Anderson’s films from early experiments in the 1990s to recent productions as well as collaborations with key long-standing creative partners. Explore the design stories behind award-winning and iconic films such as ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’, ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’, ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’, ‘Isle of Dogs’, and more.
Open from November 2025.
Location: Ground Floor
Visit the exhibition webpage for further information about Wes Anderson: The Archives
Design Museum Members Booking
Our members enjoy unlimited free entry to all our exhibitions at anytime without the need to pre-book, however, due to limited capacity, all members must book a ticket for this Relaxed Opening view.
Members can book a place for free via the link below and must present their digital membership card at the gallery entrance.
Maps and guides
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style Sensory Map
Download a digital PDF of A Century of Swimming and Style gallery Sensory Map below, or ask a member of staff for a printed version when you visit.
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style Large Text Guide
When you visit, you can ask one of our Visitor Assistants for a printed large print guide for our exhibitions. Alternatively, you can download a digital guide in PDF format directly on your phone via the links below.
Other resources
Please note:
A Large Print Guide and a Gallery Sensory Map for 'More than Human' will be added in July 2025.
A Large Print Guide and a Gallery Sensory Map for 'Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s' will be added to this page in September 2025.
A Large Print Guide and a Gallery Sensory Map for 'Wes Anderson: The Archives' will be added to this page in November 2025.
For questions, please get in touch with the team via email: bookings@designmuseum.org
Plan your visit
Access information
For additional information about accessibility at the museum, please visit our Access page via the link below.
This page also includes instructions on how to book a parking space or wheelchair.
Plan your visit
Visit this page for more details about the museum, including location and our facilities.
Background image: Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style exhibition space by Luke Hayes.