Queer Britain
At a glance -
Access: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Booking: n/a
Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Transport/nearby facilities: n/a
More in depth -
Access:
Step free, entry to the building with a small ramp leading to the entrance
Staff were available to open the door.
All exhibition rooms are on one level with stable flooring suitable for mobility aids.
Display heights were generally accessible for scooter users.
Seating was available in most, if not all, rooms.
Videos included subtitles. No braille or audio-description signage noted.
Standard toilets available. Accessibility for scooter or wheelchair users is unclear, and no information on Changing Places facilities was visible.
Maneuverable but with tighter spaces.
Booking:
No booking required, although check opening times, the exhibition was free
Experience:
Extremely quiet venue, with many focussing on the exhibition, this isn’t an issue personally
Staff friendly and welcoming, but I had little interaction as I was mainly focussed on the exhibition itself
Transport and nearby facilities:
Kings Cross Station is close by, I visited as I had some spare time so no intentional transport arranged
A few days before my annual solo trip to London, an exhibition at Queer Britain popped up on my social media feed. After reading a handful of comments and reviews, it became clear that it was a relatively quick museum to explore, perfect to fit into my final day before catching the train home.
Located in Granary Square near King’s Cross, Queer Britain is straightforward to access. From the outside, a small ramp leads directly to the entrance, and a staff member was on hand to open the door for me when I arrived. Even better: entry is completely free.
Once inside, everything is step-free and on level ground, with a smooth, stable surface ideal for walking aids and mobility scooters. Although toilets are available, I didn’t use them, so I can’t confirm how accessible they are for scooter users or whether a Changing Places facility is provided.
The museum consists of several interconnecting rooms with no internal doors, making navigation simple. During my visit, I explored exhibitions on Queer history, Gentleman Jack, and Queer Travellers. According to their website, Queer Britain rotates its focal themes throughout the year and frequently collaborates with different creators, so it’s worth checking their site for current displays.
I found the layout comfortable to move through, with enough floorspace to manoeuvre my scooter easily. Exhibit text and information panels were positioned at accessible heights. While I didn’t see any braille or audio-described options, all videos included subtitles, which was great to see. I also appreciated that nearly every room offered somewhere to sit, allowing visitors to pause and rest as needed.
The entire visit took me about 40 minutes, and it was both informative and eye-opening, a concise but meaningful overview of queer history in Britain. The gift shop towards the end was a little tighter for space, but still manageable without bumping into anything. Staff throughout the building were friendly and helpful.
I highly recommend stopping by Queer Britain, whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, or simply curious to learn more. It’s absolutely worth carving out an hour of your day.