Visual Story

We have created a visual story with Ambitious about Autism that will help you plan your visit and understand what activities and facilities are available. You can download the visual story as a whole document or you can choose the chapters of most interest to you below.

(PDF opens in a new tab):

• Complete Visual Story (PDF)
• Visual Story Chapters:
  • Planning your visit (PDF)
  • Facilities at The Postal Museum (PDF)
  • Mail Rail (PDF)
  • Sorted! The Postal Play Space (PDF)
  • The Postal Museum (PDF)
  • The Discovery Room (PDF)
• Blog post: Delivering Accessibility at The Postal Museum

Pre-Visit Films

We have created pre-visit films with Ambitious about Autism, showing what to expect at The Postal Museum and Mail Rail. To watch the films with subtitles, click on the small CC box in the bottom right corner of the film.

Resources and events

We have a range of resources available to borrow that might support you on your visit. We are following Government guidelines to ensure they are used by visitors and staff in a safe way.

Communication cards

Communication cards can be borrowed from the ticket desks or downloaded in advance here. These visual cards show the highlight objects and where to find them and key questions or requirements you might have during your visit.

Sensory bags

Sensory bags can be borrowed from the ticket desks. They contain resources and items that might support you on your visit to the museum. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to see the bag, find out more or borrow one.

Lanyards

You can borrow a teal lanyard from the ticket desks. This will enable staff to recognise that you may have a hidden disability and might need some additional support during your visit. A selection of the communication cards are attached to the end of the lanyard, you might find them helpful.

Ear defenders

Ear defenders are available to borrow from the ticket desks, please just ask a member of staff if you would like to access a set.

Events

Post Early: Relaxed Events at The Postal Museum is an event designed for autistic and neurodiverse people, including families and adults, who would like to visit the museum when it is less crowded and noisy.

The museum opens exclusively on Post Early event days from 10:00 until 17:00, when we are closed to the general public. Attendees can ride Mail Rail and explore the exhibitions with some fun resources to support your visit.

Places are limited and must be pre-booked. Tickets for a timed slot will be £3.50 per person, siblings and guests are welcome to attend and there is no age limit to attending.

Sensory audio story

The Post Office first gave jobs to cats over 150 years ago! Their job was to chase away mice in post offices. The most famous of them all was Tibs the Great. Join storyteller Olivia Armstrong for a sensory audio story and discover the true story of Tibs.

You can enjoy the story by quietly listening or you can join in. If you would like to join in there are some ordinary things around the house that you can collect to help you tell the story. Olivia will tell you the items, or if you would like to prepare in advance here is the list. Don’t worry if you can’t find all of them, you can still join in.

1. Your favourite cuddly toy or something soft to touch
2. A torn up or shredded piece of paper in a plastic bag
3. Your favourite small snack
4. A few drops of vinegar and a separate spoon of bicarbonate of soda
5. A handful of uncooked rice in a plastic bottle or container
6. A pair of rubber gloves with paper clips attached to the ends of the fingers
7. Fizzy water and a cup or glass
8. A tiny piece of sandpaper

The story takes 18 minutes to listen to in full. You can also download the transcript here (PDF).

FAQs