Tate Modern visual story

Tate Modern 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.

Relaxed hours

For temporary exhibitions, we have relaxed hours every third Tuesday of the month 10.00–11.00.

These sessions are open to:

• Anyone who is neurodivergent
• Anyone with sensory needs who prefer a more relaxed experience
• Plus families, friends, and carers

We recommend booking for these sessions.

Tate Modern is on Bankside in the London Borough of Southwark. You can reach Tate Modern from Southwark station or Blackfriars station.

Accessible parking

We have a small number of accessible parking spots for disabled visitors. 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.

Tate Modern is a large building in London next to the River Thames. The building was a power station, and it is now an art gallery.

Entrances to the gallery

There are two main entrances to Tate Modern.

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

The ticket desk is located on Level 0 at the bottom of the ramp in the Turbine Hall.

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 in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 0. It is at the bottom of the escalators.

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 are located on each level in the gallery.

Please look for the toilet signs to direct you.

In the Natalie Bell Building, toilets are located opposite the escalators.

In the Blavatnik Building, toilets are located around the corner from the lifts.

The toilets can be noisy due to hand driers.

Hand sanitisers

Hand sanitisers are located at the entrance to the toilets.

Changing Places toilet

The Changing Places toilet is in the Natalie Bell Building on the ground floor. It is past the cloakroom on the left.

A RADAR key is needed for access to this room. You can borrow a RADAR key from the cloakroom or the ticketing desk.

There are two quiet rooms.

• A quiet room on Level 4 of the Natalie Bell Building can be accessed from Room 7 of Materials and Objects
• A quiet room on Level 2 of the Natalie Bell Building can be accessed from Room 4 of Artist and Society

These rooms are to help you take a break. There are arm chairs and coffee tables.

We have signs in the gallery to help show you where to go.

You can download a copy of the map onto your phone.

The Tate Modern is a very large gallery and consists of two buildings.

The Natalie Bell Building and the Blavatnik Building have free art displays and paid exhibitions.

The displays and exhibitions change, so you might see something different every time you visit.

Natalie Bell Building

The Natalie Bell Building has 6 floors.

You can visit all 6 floors.

The displays and exhibitions are on Level 2, 3 and 4.

The Members Bar is on Level 5.

The Restaurant is on Level 6.

The Espresso Bar café is on Level 3 and the Corner café is on Level 1.

There are toilets on every floor.

Blavatnik Building

The Blavatnik Building has 10 floors.

You can visit Level 0–4 and Level 10.

The displays and exhibitions are on Level 0, 2, 3 and 4.

There is a shop and Members Bar on Level 1.

There is a café on Level 10.

There are toilets on every floor.

Getting to each building

From the Turbine Hall, you can enter the Natalie Bell Building and the Blavatnik Building.

There are bridges connecting the two buildings on Level 1 and Level 4.

Stairs and lifts

Natalie Bell Building

There are lifts and stairs in the Natalie Bell Building. There are also escalators.

The stairs are located by the lifts.

There are 5 lifts.

You may have to queue to use a lift.

Blavatnik Building

There are stairs and 8 lifts in the Blavatnik Building.

Seating and portable stools

There are lots of types of seating.

• There are sofas in Natalie Bell Building Level 2, and Blavatnik Building Level 2 and 3
• There are folding stools you can borrow at the entrances of displays and exhibitions
• There are benches in the displays and exhibitions

Visitor Assistants

This is a Visitor Engagement 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.

They can also give you ear defenders, magnifiers, colour overlays, ramble tags or communication cards.

Plan your visit

This is a 'Plan Your Visit' point.

They are located in the Turbine Hall at the bottom of the ramp entrance on Level 0, and on the Turbine Hall bridge on Level 1.

A Visitor Engagement Assistant can help answer your questions here.

They can give you access resources or a map.

Volunteers

This is a volunteer.

Volunteers give their time to work at Tate.

They always wear a colourful 'Ask Me' bag.

They are very friendly and can help with any questions you have.

Volunteers lead gallery tours that are free to join.

Access resources

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.

You might see people drawing.

You might see people taking photos.

You might see families or groups of school children visiting. They might be playing or doing activities.

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.

Turbine Hall

The Turbine Hall is a very big space where sounds can echo.

Natalie Bell Building

On Level 2 and 4 there are free art displays.

The displays have different names. The names relate to the themes the artworks explore in each display.

On Level 3 you will find paid exhibitions. These exhibitions can be busy.

Blavatnik Building

On Level 0, 3 and 4 there are free art displays.

The displays have different names. The names relate to the themes the artworks explore in each display.

On Level 2 and 4 you will find paid exhibitions. These exhibitions can be busy.

Look out for markings on the floor and wire barriers around the art. This is so you do not get too close to the art.

The wire barriers make a sound if they are crossed. This is to help you know to step back.

Tours and talks

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

You can find the times for tours and talks on digital screens. You can also ask a member of staff.

Tours and talks meet at the top of the escalator on Level 2 of the Natalie Bell Building. You will see a sign with the tours happening that day.

10 minute talks

There are 10 minute talks that happen in the gallery spaces. These are free to join.

Visitor Engagement Assistants and Volunteers share stories and information about their favourite artworks in the gallery, which lasts 10 minutes. These change daily.

Look out for signs by artworks and meet by the sign at the time the talk is happening. Information about 10 minute talks will also be on the digital screens.

Tate Draw

There are digital drawing bars at Tate Modern called Tate Draw.

One is on Level 1 of the Natalie Bell Building. Another is on Level 3 of the Blavatnik Building.

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.

Events

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

There are several cafés and restaurants at Tate Modern.

In the restaurants and cafés you can only eat food that you have bought there.

The restaurants and cafés can get busy and noisy, especially at lunch time.

This is a café assistant.

They will take your food and drink orders in our cafés. They will also take your payment.

Water fountains

Water fountains are in the Natalie Bell Building in the cafés on Level 1 and Level 3.

Bringing your own food and drink

You are welcome to bring food and drink from home.

You can eat your packed lunches anywhere aside from the restaurants, cafés, and gallery spaces at Tate Modern. You can eat your own food on the concourses where we have some seating available.

You can also eat your own food in the Turbine Hall or on the grass outside Tate Modern.

Tate Modern has three shops.

Shop Assistants will take payment for anything you purchase.

They can also help you with questions about things in the shop you would like 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.