Planning your visit - your questions answered

Limiting numbers with timed and ticketed entries. The Museum has introduced a ticketing system to limit the number of visitors and meet social distancing guidelines.

Ticket checking and queuing system. We will scan pre-booked tickets when you enter through the Sheldonian Yard, before you come into the Museum. We have a queuing system in place to help visitors keep 2m apart.

One-way routes. Enter through the Sheldonian Yard. There are direction signs on Broad Street showing you the way. There's signage throughout the Museum to help you explore and find your way around. Above all, relax and enjoy your visit. And just ask one of the Museum staff if you need us — we're here to help.

Face coverings. You'll notice our members of staff wearing face coverings as you enter. All visitors aged 11+ are required to wear a face covering in the Museum. You'll see plexiglass screens at our tills and information points.

Enhanced cleaning. Hand sanitiser stations are available for you to use throughout the Museum, and we've introduced an enhanced cleaning regime to help keep you safe.

Yes. Everyone is required to wear a face covering, by law, in museums and galleries in England.

We're asking visitors to wear a face covering throughout their visit where possible.

There are several reasons in line with Access and Equality that may mean individuals cannot wear face coverings.

You are exempt from wearning a face-covering if, for example, you: 

• are a child under the age of 11
   
• have a physical, neurological, mental or emotional condition that means you cannot put on, wear, or remove a face covering
   
• know putting on, wearing, or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress
   
• are travelling with — or providing assistance to — someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
   
• are asked to remove your face covering by a member of staff
   
• require First Aid assistance or need to signal for urgent assistance from staff
   
• need a member of staff to remove their face covering to talk to you, for example to lip read. Please ask and we'll be happy to help.

You'll come in to the Entrance Gallery through the Sheldonian Yard (there will be signs on Broad Street to direct you).

There's signage throughout the Museum to help you explore and find your way around.

Above all — relax and enjoy your visit.

And just ask one of the Museum staff if you need us — we're here to help.

Your ticket will give you entry to:

• Entrance Gallery
   
• Basement Gallery and shop
   
• Exhibition: Precious and Rare: Islamic Metalwork from The Courtauld - Cultures in Conversation

The exhibition is in the Entrance Gallery and entry is free with your ticket. 

We have closed the Top Gallery for safety reasons.

There are no public toilets available in the Museum.

Cloakroom facilities are not available and we're asking visitors not to bring bulky bags, e.g. luggage or shopping, with them during their visit.

Yes.

We've moved the Shop down to the Basement Gallery.

We're asking visitors to maintain social distancing when you're in the Shop, and when you're queuing.

We're not selling food and drink in the Museum.

We're also asking visitors not to bring food or drink with them (with the exception of bottled water).

For the safety of our visitors and staff, we're not running guided talks and tours at present.

We do not offer a public lift.

If you have a mobility impairment and require level access, please book a dedicated ticket and our staff will arrange access for you via our Museum lift to our Basement Gallery.

Only two people who are members of the same household or social bubble may use the lift at one time.

We're unable to offer storage for buggies and the lift can only be used by visitors with impaired mobility needing level access.

Visitors with buggies would need to carry them up the stairs at the Entrance and down the stairs to the Basement Gallery.

Yes.

Only assistance dogs can accompany their owners in the Museum — no other pets or animals are allowed.

We'd love you to take photographs to remind you of your visit.

No flash photography is allowed inside the Museum.