Autism-friendly London: quiet sessions at attractions for neurodivergent children

Exploring London’s world-famous attractions can be an exciting adventure for any family, but for those with neurodivergent children, the bustling crowds and sensory overload can turn a fun outing into a challenging experience. Fortunately, many of London’s top attractions have recognised this need and now offer special ‘quiet sessions’ or ‘relaxed openings’. These carefully designed time slots provide a calmer, more accessible environment for autistic and neurodivergent visitors. So, if you’re wondering where to take your autistic or neurodivergent child in London, we’ll provide you with information on some of London’s best-loved attractions and their autism-friendly visiting sessions, helping you plan a memorable and stress-free family trip to the capital.

While many London attractions offer dedicated quiet sessions, it’s worth noting that even those without specific relaxed openings often provide valuable resources for SEN visitors. Many attraction websites now feature comprehensive accessibility guides, including information about typically quieter visiting times. These guides can help you plan your visit during less crowded periods, such as early mornings or weekdays during school terms. Additionally, numerous attractions offer downloadable visual stories or social narratives. These helpful tools provide a step-by-step, visual guide of what to expect during a visit, from entering the building to exploring exhibits. By familiarising yourself and your child with the attraction’s layout and routines beforehand, you may be able significantly reduce anxiety and enhance the overall experience. Always check the official websites of your chosen attractions for these resources, as they can be invaluable in preparing for a successful outing.

Below we provide information on those London attractions that regularly hold sessions for neurodivergent children and their families.

Museums

Dawnosaurs at the Natural History Museum

Dawnosaurs sessions at the Natural History Museum are free sessions where neurodivergent children (including autism ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD and other sensory processing difficulties) and their families have the opportunity to explore the museum before anyone else and enjoy activities around different themes. These sessions are best for children aged five to 15, and siblings are welcome.

These sessions are a chance to enjoy the Museum from 8-10am, free from the hustle and bustle of the general public. Visitors have access to a wide range of galleries and activities, supported by and led by experienced, neurodivergent-aware facilitators. Lighting, sound and special FX within the Museum are all adjusted to best suit the needs of those attending. There are various learning activities within our galleries and the whole event is overseen by neurodivergent-aware facilitators.

There are five Dawnosaurs events each year (roughly every other month). Dawnosaurs is free to attend but booking a ticket is required for each individual attending. Check the website for dates.

Early Birds at the Science Museum

Early Birds is a sensory friendly event for families with members who need a quieter environment to enjoy the Science Museum. Their website describes this event as being suitable for those who benefit from visiting the museum free from the hustle and bustle of the general public (for example, individuals with autism spectrum conditions or sensory processing differences).

Taking place on selected Saturdays and Sundays across the year, they open the museum exclusively before or after hours, and wherever possible adjust operations and/or lower the volume levels on exhibits.

The Early Birds accessible events are completely free and suitable for families with children aged 4–15. Siblings are welcome to attend, but all children and adults attending the event will need to book. Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery and Power Up will be available to Early Birds Visitors for a reduced fee.

Sign up to the Science Museum’s Accessible newsletter to be the first to hear when new dates are announced and tickets are available.

London Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum opens outside its regular hours on certain special days for families with Special Educational Needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

This offers families the chance to enjoy the Museum at a quieter time, free from the general public, and with many of the gallery sounds turned off. Explore the All Aboard family spaces in peace, have a go at holiday activities or get hands-on with genuine parts of transport history.

The Transport Museum also offers a sensory space at these events. Visitors can use any of the sensory objects including their bespoke stimming board, carefully crafted by the Learning Team to provide a calming sensory experience for visitors.

Advance booking is essential as places are limited and must be booked online. Children and young people under 18 go free; adults are charged general admission rate, carers go free.

London Museum Docklands

The London Museum Dockland run quiet sessions with all sounds lowered every Monday during school term between 3–4.40pm. Visitors can join in with sensory object handling sessions and feel free to use their quiet spaces.

SENsory Sailors at the National Maritime Museum

Disabled children, children with additional needs and their families are invited to a monthly session at the National Maritime Museum led by disabled creatives.

Explore the Museum’s collections, enjoy the opportunity to be creative together as a family, and meet other local families.

Sessions are led by disabled creatives and will respond to the needs of the families participating. With a flexible approach and a team to support your family, we hope the entire family will enjoy their time at the Museum!

Sessions are tailored to children under 13 years. Sessions are free but must be pre-booked.

Other attractions

Tower Bridge

On the second Saturday of every month between 9.30-11.30am, Tower Bridge hosts Relaxed Opening for anyone who would like to explore the Bridge in a calm, tranquil atmosphere, including people with autism and other neurodiverse needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers.

To ensure the Bridge is as welcoming as possible, they:

Limit the number of people in the Bridge
Turn off loud hand-dryers and replace them with disposable hand-towels
Turn off loud soundscapes and video
Have Access Toolkits around the Bridge, which contain sensory items to help to assist visitors who may be overwhelmed due to the new environment.

Standard entry fees apply.

London Zoo

London Zoo offers relaxed opening tours that allow neurodivergent people and other people who would benefit from a calm and safe environment to enjoy the Zoo.

These sessions are guided and follow a set route. Unfortunately they cannot allow free roaming around the Zoo outside of their normal opening hours for the safety and wellbeing of visitors and animals.

Tours are free to attend but must be pre-booked with a valid Membership, Fellow, or Patron card, or a General Admission ticket to London Zoo.

The Golden Hinde

From July 2024, the Golden Hinde is running relaxed opening sessions on the last Sunday of every month from 10am to 12noon. They welcome anybody who wants to explore the ship in a calm environment, including autistic people and people with other neurodiverse needs, as well as their siblings, family, and carers.

During those hours they will limit the number of visitors, turn off noisy devices such as hand dryers and videos, make the space as light as possible, and provide a quiet breakout space with cushions and books.

Visiting the Tower of London with children: everything you need to know

Sessions will be 30 minutes long. You are welcome to stay longer but more people will be arriving after the 30 mins. The Golden Hinde re-opens to the general public at 12pm and, again, you are welcome to stay longer if you wish.

Tickets cost £6 each.

Kew Gardens Children’s Garden quiet sessions

Kew Gardens run quiet sessions in the Children’s Garden aimed at children aged 2 to 12 years with special educational needs and disabilities.

During these sessions, the Children’s Garden is closed to the public to allow children with special educational needs and disabilities, like Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or sensory processing needs, and their parents or carers to have a more comfortable visit.

During the quiet sessions, fewer people than usual will be permitted. These sessions are free of charge and include entry to the Gardens, but tickets must be booked in advance.

Madame Tussauds London Quiet Sessions

Once a month Madame Tussauds run Quiet Sessions where they adjust their opening hours to provide a quieter Madame Tussauds London experience that aims to provide a more comfortable visit for those with autism and other sensory requirements.

During the Quiet Sessions, Madame Tussauds make adjustments such as reducing the music volume throughout the attraction, with lighting reduced to a static mode and other sound effects to a minimum where possible.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Standard charges apply.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium Quiet at the Aquarium

Once a month on the first Sunday of the month, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium runs Quiet at the Aquarium. They open their doors an hour early, with limited tickets available, to provide a quieter SEA LIFE experience that aims to provide a more comfortable visit for those with autism and other sensory requirements.

Music will remain switched off until 10.00am, lighting is reduced to a static mode and televisions are turned to a minimal volume.