Accessibility

The Postal Museum aims to facilitate a welcoming, engaging and accessible experience for all visitors.

Wheelchair access

The Postal Museum and Mail Rail exhibitions are completely accessible to wheelchair users. Wheelchairs are permitted everywhere in Mail Rail except for the Mail Rail Ride.

Wheelchairs are available to borrow from the museum during visiting hours, on a first-come first-serve basis, or can be booked in advance by calling 0300 0300 700.

Lifts and access to museum

All areas of the museum across both sites have step free access, via ramps or lifts.

Due to health and safety requirements there is restricted access to the Mail Rail ride. If you are unable to ride the train due to these access barriers, please opt for the Reduced Access ticket which includes entry to the exhibitions and a companion ticket. 

Museum entrances

The museum is set over 2 sites, The Postal Museum and Mail Rail. These buildings are separated by Phoenix Place, a public road.

Parking for disabled people

The Postal Museum does not have any parking or dedicated drop-off points. The Postal Museum is on the border of Camden and Islington boroughs, which have designated Blue Badge and Green Badge Holder spaces.

Parking in Islington >
Parking in Camden >

Travelling to the museum

The nearest step-free station is King’s Cross St Pancras Station after which there is a 15-20 minute walk to the museum.

Farringdon Station is marginally closer to the museum but does not provide level access.

For further information on getting to the museum please visit:
Transport for London (TFL) accessibility >
Getting to The Postal Museum >

Tickets

D/deaf and disabled visitors can book a discounted ticket which includes entry for one essential companion. No evidence is required to demonstrate the need for this ticket type.

Tickets include:

  • 1x ride on Mail Rail (valid on your first visit)
  • Unlimited access to our exhibitions for 365 days

The ride restrictions mean some visitors cannot access Mail Rail, and some may not want to because of the conditions experienced. Please read the essential information below regarding access to the Mail Rail ride before purchasing a ticket.

Accessible toilets

An accessible toilet is available on the ground floor of The Postal Museum. Two further accessible toilets are in the Mail Rail building, one on the ground floor and one on the lower ground-floor. A Changing Places toilet for visitors and the general public is on the lower ground floor of Mail Rail.

Assistance dogs

All assistance dogs are welcome at the museum. Water bowls are available on request from the ticket desks in The Postal Museum and Mail Rail.

When riding Mail Rail, blind and visually impaired visitors may be accompanied by their assistance dog and can bring a foldable cane. Visitors will also need to be accompanied by a sighted companion or a staff member / volunteer trained in guiding. This is to provide support in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Seating

A variety of seating is available throughout the museum, some with backs and arms. We also have a limited number of portable stools.

Subtitles

Subtitles are provided on most of the films throughout the museum.

Mail Rail access

The historical nature of Mail Rail and the evacuation procedure means that riding the Mail Rail is not suitable for all visitors. Please read the information below to ensure the ride is suitable for you before booking a ticket.

Essential Information

  • In the event of an emergency evacuation guests must be able to walk unaided for a minimum of 100 metres on uneven surfaces with minimal lighting, and up at least 70 steep steps. Visitors who do not meet these requirements will be unable to ride.
  • Visitors must be able to enter and exit the carriages independently.
  • The audio-visual shows projected onto the platform walls during the ride contain flashing lights and would not be suitable for those with photo-sensitive epilepsy.
  • There is no option to exit once the ride has begun and it will last approximately 15 minutes.
  • The Mail Rail ride is a loud, highly visually stimulating experience, so would not be suitable for those who may find this distressing.
  • The carriages are small and some of the tunnels are very narrow; this may be unsuitable or uncomfortable for visitors sensitive to small, confined spaces.
  • Visitors sensitive to darkness may find the experience distressing.
  • The tunnels can smell of damp and it can smell stronger at specific points of the ride.

Mail Rail Film

For visitors unable to ride Mail Rail, a film is available to access on the lower-ground floor of Mail Rail. It demonstrates the journey through the tunnels and the accompanying audio-visual presentation. There is a subtitled version and an audio-described version upon request.


Read Mail Rail access, rules and conditions in full by reading our Mail Rail ride access information.


Reduced Access ticket

We recognise the Mail Rail ride is not fully accessible and presents barriers to access for some of our visitors. 

If you are unable to ride the train due to these access barriers, please opt for this discounted ticket which includes entry to the exhibitions and a companion ticket. 

You can find more information about Mail Rail access on our What to Expect page, or by getting in touch with us on [email protected].

Support for autistic and neurodiverse people

The Postal Museum is working with Ambitious about Autism to develop resources and events that aim to support autistic and neurodiverse people; including refreshed visual stories that explain the changes we have made to make visitors as safe as possible. Visit our information page to find out more.

 

Support for blind and visually impaired people

Virtual tours

When you visit

  • Audio-only exhibits are in both exhibitions, accessed via speakers or by scanning a QR code enabling you to listen via your own device.
  • When riding Mail Rail, blind and visually impaired visitors may be accompanied by their assistance dog and can bring a foldable cane. Visitors will also need to be accompanied by a sighted companion or a staff member / volunteer trained in guiding. This is to provide support in the event of an emergency evacuation.
  • Audio Described Tours of the exhibitions will be available to book here on the website or by calling the Bookings Support Team. The event includes a tour of the exhibitions and an optional ride on Mail Rail.

 

Support for D/deaf people

This BSL film will help you to plan your visit and understand what to expect at The Postal Museum and Mail Rail.

  • Transcripts are available for the audio on the Mail Rail ride and The Postal Museum oral histories.
  • BSL Tours of the exhibitions will be available to book on the website or by contacting the Bookings Support Team. The event includes a tour of the exhibitions and an optional ride on Mail Rail. There is no English voiceover for these events which are for BSL users only.

 

Additional Information and Support

For further information about your visit, please call 0300 0300 700 or email the Bookings Support Team at [email protected]