Advance booking is required for school visits.

School visits are bookable in term-time only. You can request a youth group visit in the school holidays or weekends via our groups booking page.

To request a visit, select your visit type and complete the booking request form. Our Bookings Support team will be in touch within five working days to discuss your booking request.

We strongly recommend that you make a planning visit to risk assess potential hazards in the museum and on your journey.

Schools with a confirmed visit date can request a planning visit for two staff members per class. Your booking confirmation email will tell you how to arrange a planning visit.

The Postal Museum and Mail Rail are in two buildings, separated by a road. Download museum maps to help plan your visit.

• Download Museum map (Word) >
• Download Museum map (PDF) >

Our Risk assessment guidance contains the information you need to prepare for your visit.

We aim to provide a welcoming accessible visit for schools. Read about accessibility at the museum.

You can use our schools visual story (PDF) to prepare your class for their visit.

Schools can borrow sensory resources and ear defenders. Our interactive sessions are developed to be inclusive. Facilitators use Makaton and each session has a Sensory Station breakout space.

• Download Mail Rail for schools teachers’ notes (Word) >
• Download Mail Rail for schools teachers’ notes (PDF) >

Mail Rail is a 20 minute immersive underground ride with sights, sounds and lights that some students may find overwhelming. Schools should consider this at the point of booking. Teachers and adult helpers must ride the train to provide adequate supervision.

To ride the train, students and adults must be able to transfer themselves in and out of the train unaided. Wheelchairs and walking aids cannot be accommodated on the ride. Read more about Mail Rail access.

Your class will be allocated a time to ride Mail Rail and visit the Mail Rail exhibition. Larger classes will be split into groups and will ride two trains, smaller classes may fit on one train. This will be confirmed on the day of your visit.

Sorted! The Postal Play Space is for children aged 0-8. The play space is suitable for students up to Year 3. Classes will be allocated a 45-minute time slot for Sorted! and will have sole use of the play space.

SEND students may need to be supported by an adult on a one-to-one basis and some areas (e.g. the Sorting Office upper level) may not be accessible by children with disabilities.

Allow plenty of time for your journey. Find out more about getting here.

Schools in London boroughs can apply for free travel on public transport. Visit Transport For London’s Travel for Schools to request your tickets.

The Postal Museum and Mail Rail are in different buildings. There are two entrances, and the arrival point will be on your itinerary.

Self-led visits are teacher-led. It is your responsibility to guide your class around the museum and arrive at activities on time. Facilitated visits will be assigned a Schools Support (staff or volunteer) to guide your class throughout your visit.

Schools will be sent an itinerary with set times for activities in your booking confirmation email. Unfortunately, we are unable to change allocated times as we have other schools onsite.

If you are running late, call the number on your itinerary as soon as possible. We will discuss options, but we cannot guarantee to change activity times or provide refunds for missed activities.

Teachers and adult helpers are responsible for the health and safety of their class and should supervise students at all times.

To support your class to move safely around our site and provide adequate supervision on the Mail Rail ride and in Sorted! it is essential to meet our minimum ratios.

• EYFS Nursery 1:3
• EYFS Reception 1:4
• KS1 1:4
• KS2 1:6
• KS3 1:10
• KS4+ 1:15

Schools will be allocated a 30-minute lunch slot in our lunch room or Mail Rail depot lunch area. No food and drink is allowed in the exhibition galleries.

We welcome photography, but no flash, tripods or selfie-sticks. We also kindly ask you not to film our staff.

Schools will be sent an invoice by email with a 30-day payment term. Payment is by BACS transfer or cheque. Bookings under £100 can be paid by card over the phone. Payment in full is due at least 7 days before your visit date.

It is the responsibility of the person booking to ensure your finance team or relevant colleague has received the invoice and it is paid on time. If payment is not made before your visit, bookings may be cancelled.

Schools can book a visit at shorter notice depending on availability. In this case payment is expected before the visit date and may be requested immediately.

Our schools terms and conditions contain information about our cancellation policy.