History of Science Museum
The History of Science Museum houses the world's finest collection of early scientific instruments from Europe and the Islamic World

- External platform lift - access from street level to basement gallery only. Lift must be operated by a member of staff
- Stepped access only to all other areas of museum including main entrance
- Internal staircase is very old with wide wooden steps. Handrails both sides of the staircase
- Text in some of the display cabinets is small
- Low lighting in some areas of the museum
- 1 accessible toilet
- Public Blue badge parking available close to Museum on Broad Street
This table contains summary information about the building
On-site designated parking for Blue Badge holders | No |
Public designated parking for Blue Badge holders within 200m | Yes - 5 spaces on Broad Street |
Other nearby parking | Yes - pay and display on Broad Street |
Main entrance | Stepped. Manual door |
Alternative entrance | Yes - platform lift from street level to basement only |
Wheelchair accessible toilets | 1 |
Lift | Platform lift to basement only. No lift access to upper floors |
Hearing support systems | No |
The main entrance to the museum is off Broad Street, up a flight of steps with no nosing and a small lip. Once you are up these stairs, pass through a pair of double glass doors to enter the museum. These doors are manual, but one side is usually held open during the day.
For step free access, follow the signs around the left hand side of the building, and through the narrow archway into the courtyard area of the Sheldonian. There is a platform lift on your right which will take you down to the level entrance. The lift is staff-operated, so please use the buzzer to alert museum staff, and someone will come and help you. Alternatively, you can call 01865 277 293 during opening hours. The lift is quite small, so you will need to reverse out of a narrow space at the bottom.
The door of the level access entrance is a single door with no vision panel, which is operated using a swipe card. Museum staff will open it for visitors needing to use this entrance. Visitors will also need to alert a member of museum staff when they want to leave the museum and return to street level.
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The information desk is on the ground floor and can only be reached by stairs. As you come through the main entrance doors the information desk and shop are on the right hand side.
There is no wheelchair accessible section of the information desk. There is no hearing support system in place at the desk.
There are always gallery attendants located throughout the museum available to help visitors and answer questions.
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There is one main flight of stairs in the museum. The staircase is very old with wide wooden steps, no contrasting marking on the step edgings and low lighting in some areas; please do take care here. There are lights suspended at various heights all the way up the staircase. At points these are at eye level; some people may find this causes glare. There are continuous handrails both sides of the whole staircase.
There are a couple of steps leading down to the main library entrance, but these can be bypassed using a staff-operated level access door.
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
Due to the public nature of the building, there aren’t many closed doors in the museum! The main entrance is a pair of manual double doors with glass panels, and one side is usually held open during museum opening hours. If you are using the level entrance, a member of staff will help you with the door. The main library entrance is a set of glass double doors, and the level entrance a single door with no vision panel, which a member of staff will unlock for you.
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
The museum has a library which operates on a strictly appointment only basis. There are a couple of steps leading down to the main library entrance, but these can be bypassed using a staff-operated level access door. Once inside, the reading room is fully accessible, but some of the shelves might be difficult to reach for wheelchair users. The library information desk (on your right hand side as you enter) is manned at all times. There are no adjustable desks, but the chairs and tables are moveable.
To access the library from Broad Street level, users requiring level access will need to use the platform lift. Please see the ‘Entrances’ section of the building page for more information.
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
Only the basement gallery space is accessible to those visitors who require level access. The display cases are well spaced, but the floor is uneven in the smaller gallery (B). Ambient lighting is low, and some of the text is quite small, which might make reading display information difficult for some. The special exhibition gallery is bright and well laid-out.
A selection of audio guides is available for download here https://hsm.ox.ac.uk/pocket-curator-mobile-app
There is a hearing loop for the entrance gallery available at reception.
The museum also has a range of ‘virtual exhibitions’ available at https://hsm.ox.ac.uk/past-exhibitions-and-displays.
Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:
There are no hearing support systems in the museum.
Accessible computers
There are no computers available for use. However, visitors can make use of the public Wi-Fi to access information on their own portable devices.
Contact details
History of Science Museum
Broad Street
Oxford
OX1 3AZ
info@mhs.ox.ac.uk
01865 277293
www.hsm.ox.ac.uk
Contact the Access Guide
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