In the Gallery
Large print versions of captions for a large number of the portraits are available at the Information
Desk. Large print captions are also available for the temporary exhibitions. Please ask at the Information Desk.
Magnifying glasses are available from the Information Desk in the main hall.
Descriptive folders with tactile images are available throughout the Gallery and from the Information Desk in the main hall.
Neck loops are available for hard of hearing visitors to access the Sound Guide. These are available free of charge at the Information Desk.
Sign language
A number of Front of House staff are trained to use basic sign language. Please ask at the Information Desk, as they are not always in the Gallery.
Guided tours are available for partially sighted visitors. Maximum group size 10. For further information please contact the Education Department on 020 7312 2483.
Visualising portraits Monthly picture descriptions and workshops for partially sighted and blind visitors. Please contact the Learning and Access department for details.
Sound Guides are available from the Sound Guide desk free of charge for disabled visitors. They contain recordings about portraits in the Gallery's collections, including a selection of portraits with descriptive recordings.
Induction loops operate in the Ondaatje Wing Theatre, the Information Desk and main hall. Portable induction loops for hearing impaired visitors are situated at all information desks; Heinz Archive and Library, Orange Street reception, cloakroom, Portrait Café, shops and IT Gallery.
British Sign Language interpreted talks
Tours for adults are available each month. Please see our website or events leaflet for more details.
Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs can be provided for visitors with mobility difficulties. To book a wheelchair in advance of your visit contact 020 7306 0055 ext 116.
Toilets
There are four unisex toilets, which are accessible to wheelchair users:
- Ground floor Orange Street entrance.
- Lower ground floor adjacent to the Ondaatje Wing Theatre.
- Basement Bookshop Gallery, via the Gift shop
- Top floor adjacent to Portrait Restaurant, via Orange Street lifts.
Lifts
The Gift shop lift is located inside the gift shop entrance, to the left of the main entrance on St Martin's Place. It provides access to the Gift shop, Bookshop Gallery and Portrait Café. Inside the St Martin's Place entrance a lift provides access to most areas of the Ondaatje Wing including the Ondaatje Wing Theatre and ground floor.
The lifts near the Orange Street entrance provide access to the first and second floor galleries and The Portrait Restaurant.
A separate lift is also available from the ground floor providing access to the IT Gallery only.
Guide, hearing and
assistance dogs are
permitted in all areas of the
Gallery.
A public telephone is located next to the toilets on the ground floor adjacent to the the Orange Street entrance.
A rest area is available as a baby changing facility adjacent to the Ondaatje Wing Theatre.
Emergency evacuation . If you have particular needs in the event of emergency evacuation, please inform the Information Desk on arrival.
The Portrait Café is located on the basement floor. Open during Gallery hours. Closes 30 minutes before the Gallery.
The Portrait Restaurant is located on the third floor.
Open during Gallery hours. Closes one hour before the Gallery except on Thursday and Friday when it closes at 10pm, last orders 8.30pm.
Booking advisable 0207 312 2490
The Ondaatje Wing Theatre can accommodate five manual wheelchairs or up to three electric wheelchairs. Please contact the Education Department in advance on 020 7312 2483 if you would like to reserve a space for a talk or event.
