At the Museum our staff and volunteers are on hand to answer any questions you may have upon arrival, they are identifiable by their red Newham College lanyards. Please ask them for any assistance you may need, they are always happy to chat to you.
On this page you will find information on accessibility and facilities at the Museum. If you would like further help planning your visit or have any additional requirements, please email fashionandtextilemuseum@newham.ac.uk or call us on 020 7407 8664 and we will do all we can to accommodate your needs.
Wheelchair and Step-free Access
The Fashion and Textile Museum entrance is step-free and our ticket desk is wheelchair accessible via a ramp in the main foyer. Exhibitions are arranged over the ground floor and mezzanine levels, a wheelchair-accessible lift provides access to the mezzanine level. To access the lift, please ask any member of the museum team.
Seating
Lightweight portable folding stools are available for use during your visit. They can be found in the cloakroom, please help yourself or ask a member of our team for assistance. There are benches located in the foyer of the Museum.
Lighting Levels and Visual Resources
The main gallery has low lighting levels to protect the textiles on display. Magnifying glasses can be borrowed from the front desk, please ask a member of our team on arrival.
Large print captions are available at the entrance to the Main Gallery, please help yourself on arrival.
Noise Levels and Quiet Times
Exhibitions contain background music that plays throughout the gallery. Some video content starts automatically but is kept at a low volume or on mute.
It can be noisy and crowded at the Museum entrance at busy times. Visiting from 3pm is the quietest time to view the exhibitions. We recommend 45 minutes to one hour to visit.
Assistance Dogs
Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome at the Museum as long as they are working and are wearing their appropriate tabard/harness, or by being identified as such to staff at the front desk.
Subtitles and Captions
Films in the gallery have subtitles and large print captions for the exhibition are available. If you would like to receive exhibition captions prior to your visit, please get in touch.
Toilets
Toilets are available on the ground floor, including wheelchair-accessible and baby change facilities.
Tickets
D/deaf and disabled visitors can book a Disabled Person ticket, one free Carer ticket is permitted with each Disabled Person ticket. For more ticketing information click here.
Cloakroom
We have a cloakroom which has hangers to accommodate coats. The cloakroom is unmanned, any personal property is left at your own risk. We do not have lockers and are unable to store bags. Please look after your personal property while at the museum.
Wi-Fi
We have guest Wi-Fi available, please ask a member of staff on arrival for more information.
Parking
The Museum does not have parking facilities, and the surrounding area is residential and permit-holder parking only. There is an NCP car park where Kipling Street meets Snowsfields, a five-minute walk from the Museum.
For best information on local parking, we recommend visiting the Southwark Council website and entering the Museum’s postcode: SE1 3XF.
Information Desk
Our information and ticket desk is in the main foyer as you enter the Museum. At the desk you can purchase tickets as well as access resources such as magnifying glasses and our Museum Explorer Bags. Our staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions you may have upon arrival. Staff and volunteers are identifiable by their red Newham College lanyards