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Facilities and access at Tring

A family looking at the exhibits

We aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors and the widest possible access to our buildings, exhibitions, and collections.

For more information about accessing the Museum in Tring, please call us on +44 (0)20 7942 6171, Monday to Friday, 9.00-17.00.

Last updated 15 August

  • Getting around the Museum

    Museum map

    Plan your trip with the Museum map. Museum guides are available to buy from the Museum shop.

    Download the map PDF (2.2MB)

    Entrances

    Entry to the Museum is on Akeman Street. Find out how to get to the Museum.

    Safety around the Museum

    Our historic building has lots of stairs and railings. Please take extra care, especially if visiting with children.

    Wheelchair loan

    Wheelchairs are available to borrow. Please ask at the information desk. 

    Lifts

    There is lift access to the ground, first-floor and second-floor galleries of the Museum, and to Akeman Street car park. Please use the stairs where possible to ensure lifts are available for those who need them. 

    Galleries 1-6 and the unisex toilet are step-free. The shop is on the ground floor but has one step. Staff can provide a ramp on request.

    Toilets 

    All toilets are open. 

    There are two sets of male and female toilets. One set is inside the Museum, next to the shop, and the other is outside the Museum, accessed through Akeman Street car park.

    There is also an accessible unisex toilet on the ground floor of the Museum.

    The Akeman Street and unisex toilets have baby changing facilities.  

    Cloakroom

    The cloakrooms are open. We can store coats, bags and pushchairs.

    Photography and filming

    Photography and filming with hand-held cameras or phones for personal use only is permitted in the Museum. Tripods, monopods or additional lighting are not permitted.

    Visitors should not take photos or make recordings of other individuals without asking for their permission.

    The use of cameras or filming devices for non-private or commercial purposes is prohibited without the prior authorisation of the Museum. Please contact our filming team in advance of your visit or find out more about using the Museum as the backdrop for your next film project or photography shoot.

     

     

  • Parking

    There is free car parking in Dawes Park. It has 48 spaces, with three for Blue Badge holders and two parent-and-toddler spaces.

    The Akeman Street car park is open. Two Blue Badge holder spaces are available.

    Alternative car parks are available off the high street. The car parks managed by Dacorum Borough Council are free for the first hour with a small charge thereafter.  

  • D/deaf and hard of hearing

    There are hearing loops at the information desk, in the shop, in the Ugly Bug Cafe and in the Rothschild Room. If you need any other assistance during your visit to the Museum, our staff will be happy to help you.

  • Visually impaired visitors

    Guide dogs

    We welcome assistance dogs onto the Museum grounds and in the galleries.

    For more information call us on +44 (0)20 7942 6171.

    Low light levels

    Gallery 6 and often Gallery 2 have low light levels to help preserve specimens. 

    Safety around the Museum

    Our historic building has lots of stairs and railings. Please take extra care, especially if visiting with children.

  • Neurodiversity

    We have a variety of resources and activities to support children and families with neurodiverse conditions.

    Resources to support your visit

    Pick up a free Explorer Bag from the information desk. The bags include a variety of resources and toys to support engagement with our displays. Have a go at spotting a range of animals in our challenge, get up close to specimens with a magnifying glass and play with fidget toys. 

    Ear defenders can also be requested from the information desk.

    Some of our staff are trained in basic Makaton. We have four Makaton-based gallery trails which explore the galleries:

    Within the galleries there are a few touch specimens and interactives to explore.

    Quiet times at the Museum

    For the quietest experience we recommend visiting during term time weekdays after 14.30 when the Museum is generally very quiet and spacious. The weekends and school holidays between October-March are our busiest times of the year and the galleries can be noisy and busy.

    Our outdoor areas also provide a quiet space if required. This includes our woodland and meadow.

    Preparing for your visit

    To help prepare you for your visit, there is a visual guide at the bottom of this page. This includes descriptions to set expectations of your visit.

    Neurodiverse events

    We run early morning openings exclusively for families with neurodiverse children called SENDsational Mornings. These events provide a quieter visiting experience. Themed activities are also provided, usually including a free gallery trail, craft activity and handling activity.

    These events run a few times a year from 10.00-12.00 on Sundays. Booking is required and tickets are released a few weeks before the event. Sign up to our mailing list to find out about dates.

  • Eat, drink and shop
    Visitors enjoying a drink in the cafe.

    Ugly Bug Cafe

    The Ugly Bug Cafe is open 10.00 to mid-afternoon. A range of cafes and restaurants are also available on Tring High Street, about four minutes' walk from the Museum.

    Picnic areas

    You can eat packed lunches in the indoor (Walter's Workshop) and outdoor picnic areas. 

    Some outdoor picnic benches have lift-up seats for wheelchair users.

    Shop

    Find a great range of nature-inspired gifts for all ages, including mineral specimens, soft toys, games, books, posters and greetings cards. The shop is on the ground floor and is open Tuesday-Sunday and bank holidays, 10.00-17.00.

Prepare for your visit to Tring

  • If you are travelling by car you can park in our Hastoe Lane car park.

  • You will walk through a small woodland to get to the Museum. 

  • The main entrance to the Museum is on Akeman Street.

  • Our staff wear purple uniforms and can help with any questions. All staff are wearing face coverings. 

  • There are three staircases to help you get around the Museum. 

  • There is a lift which goes to every level.

  • There are seven galleries with taxidermied animals mostly behind glass. 

  • Gallery 3 is a mezzanine level with animals in the middle.

  • Gallery 6 is a darker gallery.

  • We have two sets of toilets inside and outside the Museum. The hand dryers can be noisy.

  • Our accessible toilet has a baby change and a supported toilet.

  • Our shop sells items for children and adults, along with paper-based activity trails to follow around the Museum. 

  • There is an outdoor woodland area that you can explore.

Explore the galleries

From anglerfish to zebras, meet the stars of our six free galleries.

What will you discover?

Activity and guide books

Navigate your way with our guidebook filled with fascinating stories and facts, or pick up an activity book to complete during and after your visit.

Buy them from the Museum's shop. 

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