Terms and conditions for group visits

All groups

Group visits must be booked in advance via our online booking form.

Group visit bookings must be made at least a week before your intended arrival at the Museum.

Public Programme tours organised by the Museum have priority over other groups.

Museum staff (wearing identity passes) who are leading tours in the galleries have priority over other groups in the galleries.

Groups must always be respectful of other visitors and avoid blocking doors or staircases as they make their way around the Museum. Other visitors may wish to view the same objects that are of interest to your group. Please be aware of other visitors waiting to view a particular item on display.

Please do not point or gesture towards people or objects within the galleries using sticks, umbrellas, poles or any other objects. Laser pointers/pens are not permitted within the Museum.

No food or drink is permitted in the galleries.

Groups of more than 25 cannot move around the galleries together, but must be split into smaller subgroups.

Self-guided groups

The Museum must be notified of any self-guided group visit of more than 10 people via our online booking form. (There is a separate booking process for self-guided school group visits.)

There is no fee for visiting the Museum or for booking a self-guided group visit.

Self-guided groups who have not pre-booked may be denied immediate entry.

Self-guided groups cannot join any scheduled tours or events without purchasing admission tickets separately. To ensure a smooth visit, please book in advance via our website.

The duration of a self-guided group visit is limited only by the Museum’s opening and closing times.

In the case of a fire or emergency evacuation, visitors on a self-guided group visit must use the nearest fire exit and follow instructions from Museum staff.

If a gallery becomes full, self-guided groups may be asked to move on by members of staff.

The use of loudspeakers, microphones or voice amplifiers is not allowed when leading self-guided group visits.

Military groups

Military groups who would like a 10-minute introductory talk on arrival must request this when they book. Visits must be booked at least one week in advance.

Introductory talks are available on any day the Museum is open, at any of the following times: 10.00am, 10.30am, 11.00am, 11.30am, 2.00pm, 2.30pm, 3.00pm, 3.30pm.

Introductory talks are subject to availability and are arranged on a first come first served basis.

If you are running late on the day of your visit, please let us know as soon as possible by calling 020 7730 0717. If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, we may not be able to provide your introductory talk.