Tate Britain visual story

Tate Britain is open every day, apart from 24–26 December when we are closed.

You can visit us from 10.00–18.00.

It is quietest at the start and end of the day.

You can call us on +44 (0)20 7887 8888 to find out how busy the gallery will be when you plan to visit.

The gallery is on Millbank. It is between the Vauxhall Bridge and the Lambeth Bridge. The front of Tate Britain faces the river.

Public transport

The nearest tube station is Pimlico. It is on the Victoria line and is an 8 minute walk from the gallery. You can also get here by bus.

Accessible parking

We have a small number of accessible parking spots for disabled visitors. These are accessed via John Islip Street. Please book these spaces at least 24 hours in advance. Email ticketing@tate.org.uk or call +44 (0)20 7887 8888 (daily 10.00–17.00) to book.

Entrances to the gallery

There are two entrances to Tate Britain.

Millbank Entrance

The Millbank Entrance is found on Millbank and faces the River Thames.

It has 20 steps you need to climb.

The road outside can be noisy during the weekdays.

This entrance has a revolving door or push/pull doors to enter.

Manton Entrance

The Manton Entrance is on Atterbury Street.

It is step-free.

It has a sloped entrance ramp and is more quiet outside.

At the end of the ramp it has automated opening doors.

Security and bag search

This is a Security Officer.

They wear a high vis jacket and are there to keep us safe.

They may ask to search your bag.

Ticket desk

This is the ticket desk.

It is found on the Lower Floor near the Manton Entrance.

This is a Membership and Ticketing Assistant.

They are at the Ticket Desk and can help you buy a ticket for a special exhibition.

They can also help you sign up to become a Member.

Cloakroom

This is the Cloakroom. It is found on the Lower Floor.

This is a Cloakroom Assistant.

They are at the Cloakroom and can store your bags or coats for you if you do not want to carry them around the gallery.

This service is free.

Toilets, an accessible toilet, and baby change facilities are on the Lower Floor. This is next to the Cloakroom. The toilets have hand dryers which you may find noisy.

There are more toilets in the Djanogly Café also on the Lower Floor.

Changing Places toilet

We have a Changing Places toilet located on the Lower Floor of the Clore Auditorium. You need a RADAR key to use this toilet.

Please speak to a member of staff if you need to use this facility and do not have a RADAR key.

Hand sanitisers

We have hand sanitisers all around the gallery. You can find them in these locations:

• Manton Entrance
• Millbank Entrance
• Lower Floor toilets
• Lower Floor Manton Lift
• Upper Exhibition Gallery

We have a Quiet Room, found on the Main Floor by the Duveens Gallery. It is next to the Play Studio.

This space is to help you take a break. There are sofas, chairs and coffee tables.

We have signs in the gallery to help show you where to go. You can also download a copy of the map onto your phone.

Stairs and lifts

The gallery is over two floors. We have lifts and stairs that can take you between the Lower Floor and the Main Floor.

You can use the lift.

A lift near the Lower Rotunda goes to the galleries on the main floor and the Members Room on the upper floor.

There is another lift to the galleries on the Main Floor near the Millbank exit.

Seating and portable stools

This is a Visitor Assistant.

They wear a black uniform and an orange lanyard with Tate written on it and are very friendly.

They can take you to a quieter space, and they can answer any questions you might have.

Visitor Assistants can also give you ear defenders, magnifiers, ramble tags or communication cards upon request.

This is a Volunteer.

They are members of the public who work for free at Tate as a host or to take people on an art tour.

They are very friendly and will help answer any questions or show you the way around.

They always wear a colourful ‘Ask Me’ bag.

Using communication cards

You can use our communication cards to ask for directions to facilities in the gallery. These include toilet, café, seating, shop, quiet room, and exit.

Show one of the cards to a member of Tate staff if you need to be shown to one of these places.

There are two colour versions and are available to download onto your device or print at home. Use whichever version you find easiest to read.

People in the gallery

There can be a lot of people in the gallery, and sometimes it can get crowded or noisy.

Art in the gallery

You will see different types of art. There are sculptures, paintings, films and installations. Some spaces can be dark, some spaces can be light.

There might be text on the walls to help explain the art. If the text is too small for you, ask staff for a magnifier. Large print guides for exhibitions can be collected at the exhibition entrances.

Every day there are guided tours and talks in the gallery where staff share stories about artists and artworks. These are free to join.

Tours meet in the Upper Rotunda.

There is a drawing bar called Tate Draw on the Lower Floor. You can sketch on a digital pad. Finished drawings get projected on the wall.

You can also save your drawing to a phone, or order a T-shirt to wear your creation.

Sometimes there are events you can join, like a talk or a workshop.

The Djanogly Café is on the Lower Floor.

You can look at the menu before you visit.

You can only eat food that is bought in the café here.

This is Café Assistant.

The café is self-service, and the Café Assistant will take payment for any food or drink you wish to buy. They will also take your order for hot drinks at the counter.

If you order a hot drink, the Café Assistant will ask you to wait whilst they prepare it for you.

The Djanogly Café be crowded and noisy some of the time, especially at lunchtime.

In the summer you can choose to sit inside or outside.

Water fountains

There are water fountains located next to the Lower Floor toilets and in the Djanogly Café.

Bringing your own food and drink

We have tables and chairs in the Lower Rotunda near the Djanogly Café. You can eat and drink your own food here.

We have outdoor picnic tables and benches on the corner of Millbank and Atterbury Street. You can also eat your own food here.

There is also grass to sit on outside in the gardens, on the corner of Millbank and Atterbury Street.

There is a Main Shop on the Upper Floor. There is also a smaller shop by the Manton Entrance on the Lower Floor.

The Main Shop has a big selection of books and prints. It also sells postcards, jewellery and some homeware.

This is a Shop Assistant.

They will take payment for anything you wish to purchase at the shop or help with any questions about things you may want to buy.

We have two family spaces.

If there is an evacuation, a loud alarm will sound. Staff will ask you to exit the gallery via the nearest door and wait outside.

They will let you know when it is safe to go back inside the building.

You can exit the building the same way you entered.

We hope you enjoy your visit.