Access at the RA
Helping make the most of your visit
The Royal Academy welcomes disabled visitors, their families, friends and carers.
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All of our galleries have step-free access and we have a range of facilities for disabled visitors. We’ll do everything we can to make sure your experience of the RA is enjoyable, comfortable and memorable.
The health and safety of our visitors and staff is paramount. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find the most up-to-date information about safely visiting the RA. We will be following government advice on health and safety as a minimum, with additional measures and standards also in place.
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Blind and partially sighted visitors
We welcome guide dogs. For more information, please read our Assistance Dogs section.
Large-print exhibition guides are available for all our exhibitions. Due to coronavirus, we are currently offering our large print guides as digital downloads on the temporary exhibition pages on our website.
Where audio guides are available, there will always be audio-described content.
![InTouch artmaking workshop]()
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Wheelchair users and mobility impaired visitors
There are two disabled parking spaces available for blue badge holders to reserve in the courtyard of Burlington House. To find Blue Badge Bays nearby visit Westminster council’s disabled parking page.
There is step-free access throughout the RA and wheelchairs and portable stools are available to borrow during your visit.
To book a wheelchair or blue badge parking space, please contact our Ticketing team at +442073008090. We recommend booking two weeks in advance of your visit.
There are accessible toilets in Burlington House and Burlington Gardens. Our staff and volunteers receive regular training to ensure they’re confident welcoming disabled visitors.
![InMotion at the RA]()
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Deaf and hearing impaired visitors
We welcome hearing dogs. For more information, please read our Assistance Dogs section.
For exhibitions that are accompanied by an audio guide, transcripts are available upon request from the audio desk at the entrance of the exhibition. Audio guides are currently accessed on visitors’ mobile phone via a QR code.
![BSL tour]()
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Neurodiverse visitors and those on the autistic spectrum
We provide sensory maps of our building and select temporary exhibitions to help plan for your visit.
You can download a sensory map of our building to prepare for your visit.
We offer relaxed openings for select exhibitions for visitors with autistic spectrum conditions, sensory processing difficulties, or neurodiversity. These openings allow those who benefit from a quieter environment to see the exhibition outside the hustle and bustle of regular opening hours.
![A visitor at a relaxed opening]()
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Assistance dogs
The RA understands that some visitors require the support of an assistance dog and we are happy to admit appropriately trained assistance dogs into the gallery. Assistance dogs registered with Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) are always welcome if visitors can show RA staff an appropriate ID book.
If your assistance dog is not registered with ADI, ADUK or IGDF please contact us in advance of your planned visit with documentary evidence confirming that your dog has been trained as an assistance dog by a recognised trainer. We cannot currently accommodate Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) on site.
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Facilities
There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in Burlington House and Burlington Gardens. For more detailed information about our facilities, the online accessibility guide AccessAble provides extensive information and photographs for prospective visitors.
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Any questions?
Access Team
access@royalacademy.org.uk
020 7300 5732Community Partners Programme
communities@royalcademy.org.ukWe are able to respond to enquiries during our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5.30pm.