Miller’s Ark, My Way @ The MERL, Reading
2025-08-01 10:00 - 11:30 (Europe/London) | Museum of English Rural Life, Reading, RG1 5EX
Miller’s Ark, My Way at The MERL

FOR NEURODIVERGENT VISITORS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Booking Details
Booking essential

Book tickets
Details

Date:
August 1
Time:

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Cost:
£2
Event Category:
Events and workshops

Venue

The Museum of English Rural Life

The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road
Reading, Berkshire RG1 5EX United Kingdom + Google Map

Bring a picnic, meet the Miller’s Ark farm animals and enjoy other activities in the MERL garden.
This event will be a relaxed session with additional sensory provision, geared towards neurodivergent visitors and their families. Please only book this session if you feel it is appropriate to do so.
Limited spaces: Booking required
£2 per person (including adults). Under 2s free
The garden will be closed to public with a limited number of tickets available plus:

social story and visual timetable
breakout space
sensory backpacks and sensory gadgets‌

Attendees are welcome to remain in the garden at the end of the Miller’s Ark, My Way session but it is likely to get very busy from 12pm onwards as visitors arrive for the next session (Miller’s Ark at The MERL).

Rise and Roar - Quiet Session in the Magic Garden @ Hampton Court, Surrey
2025-08-03 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-09-07 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-10-05 09:30 - 11:00 | Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU, United Kingdom
Quiet sessions in The Magic Garden

Skip the event ticket details and go to event summary.

When
Selected dates from April – October 2025 09:30 – 11:00

Where

Magic Garden

Ticketing information

Included in palace admission (Members go free)
Buy Rise and Roar tickets Member tickets

Events
Families

Start of the events summaryJoin us for quiet sessions in The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace, aimed at Neurodivergent and Learning-Disabled children, and their families and friends.
During this session, we have lower visitor capacity than usual and lower noise levels. We turn off bathroom hand dryers, implement adaptations to staff operations such as using earpieces for radios, and do not use the tannoy system.
The session begins at 09.30 and ends at 11.00.
Dates in 2025

Sunday 01 June
Sunday 06 July
Sunday 03 August
Sunday 07 September
Sunday 05 October

Visit information
Each group member, including our valued Members and those aged under three years, must have a palace entry ticket.
Up to three infant tickets per booking are permitted (up to two infants for joint and individual members).
No more than one companion/carer permitted per group and one booking per person/membership. For family 1A and Family 2A (or Group) the number of tickets issued will be for those named on the membership account only. Membership card must be shown upon arrival.
Adult child ratio of 1:5.

About The Magic Garden
The Magic Garden is a unique, interactive play garden, inspired by the history and stories of Hampton Court Palace.
Learn more

Quiet Hour @ Brooklands Museum, Surrey
2025-08-16 09:00 - 10:00 | Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, KT13 0QN, United Kingdom
Quiet Hour, Saturday 16 August from 9am.

Our Aircraft Factory the home of our Wellington Bomber, the Flight Shed where you have a go at deciphering Morse Code, step inside the Vickers Wellington walkthrough as well as being able to get up close and sit in the pilot’s seats of the Hawker Hunter and Harrier aircraft.*
Visitors who are neurodivergent can enjoy these areas of the Museum, free from the hustle and bustle of our normal opening hours.
​​​Our Café will be open for our ‘Brooklands Breakfast offer’.
The Museum will then be open as normal from 10am – 4pm when all our exhibit areas will be open. *some activities have step access only

SENDsational Mornings @ NHM, Tring
2025-08-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Natural History Museum Tring, Tring, HP23 6AP
SENDsational Mornings at Tring

An opportunity for children with neurodiverse conditions to enjoy the Museum at a quieter time.

Book your tickets

The Natural History Museum at Tring

Sunday 17 August and Sunday 9 November, 10.00–12.00

Free, booking required

Pre-visit information (PDF 185KB)Pre-visit visual guide (PDF 3.5MB)

We are excited to present SENDsational Mornings at Tring, Hertfordshire.
Our SENDsational mornings offer children with neurodiverse conditions, including autism and other sensory processing difficulties, the chance to take part in activities and enjoy our galleries with their families and siblings away from the hustle and bustle of the general public.
This event is best for children aged five to 15 and siblings are welcome.
What can you expect from the experience?

Visitors have access to a few activities including specimen handling, crafting and a gallery trail.
All activities are supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators.
A sensory space will be available for those children needing a quieter and calmer space.
All of the galleries, outdoor spaces and the shop will be accessible throughout the event.
Each event has a different theme. In May it’s rainforests, in August it’s Oceans and the theme for November is Autumn.

Walk-ups are not possible – you must have a ticket. Adult tickets are limited to three per group.
We will email more information about your visit a week in advance, to help you prepare for your visit. On the day you will be given a programme and map to let you know what you can do.
The Museum in South Kensington has been successfully running a similar event called Dawnosaurs for the past four years.
Before your visit take a look at our pre-visit information including a visual guide and logistics and facilities information.

Autism Friendly Opening @ Oxford Museum of Natural History
2025-08-19 09:00 - 10:00 | Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford, OX1 3PW
Home
Autism Friendly Opening

Autism Friendly Opening

Tuesday, 19 August 2025
09:00 – 10:00
This is a free event but booking is required. To book your place(s) please email: education@oum.ox.ac.uk.

About the event
A relaxed morning opening for families with members on the Autism Spectrum to explore the Museum collections in a quiet environment. More information, including a visual guide, will be emailed to attendees a week prior to the event to help you to prepare for your visit. Please note that although this is a relaxed opening there may still be noises in the Museum so please bring along ear protectors if required. This is a joint event with the Pitt Rivers Museum.

Accessibility information

Wheelchair accessible?
Yes

Hearing loops?
No

Seating?
Yes

Refreshments?
No

Flashing lights?
No

Loud noises?
No

Noises Off Morning @ Army Flying Museum, Hampshire
2025-08-25 09:00 - 12:30, 2025-09-29 09:00 - 12:30, 2025-10-27 09:00 - 12:30, 2025-11-24 09:00 - 12:30, 2025-12-29 09:00 - 12:30 | Army Flying Museum, Stockbridge, SO20 8FB, United Kingdom
Noises Off Morning

9am to 12.30pm on the last Monday of the month

Book Now

Our ‘Noises Off’ mornings run on the last Monday of the month between 9am and 12.30pm, however, please check the sessions by clicking on the button below because we occasionally have to cancel/move a session.
On these mornings sound effects in the Museum will be turned off, or down, so that visitors that may have sensory processing issues can explore in a quieter environment. Our booking system will also ensure that the Museum isn’t crowded on these mornings. We would advise visitors who wish to experience our normal sound effects and Helicopters in Action show to avoid visiting on these mornings, which will be marked on our booking system.
You can find information about what to expect when visiting the Museum and read our Accessibility statement HERE.

Quiet Hour @ Brooklands Museum, Surrey
2025-08-27 09:00 - 10:00 | Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, KT13 0QN, United Kingdom
Quiet Hour, Wednesday 27 August from 9am.

Our Aircraft Factory the home of our Wellington Bomber, the Flight Shed where you have a go at deciphering Morse Code, step inside the Vickers Wellington walkthrough as well as being able to get up close and sit in the pilot’s seats of the Hawker Hunter and Harrier aircraft.*
Visitors who are neurodivergent can enjoy these areas of the Museum, free from the hustle and bustle of our normal opening hours.
Concorde Sensory Tour, £3.50pp
Join us on this special guided tour of Concorde, the world’s most famous aircraft, back at its home in Brooklands. You will experience a feast for the senses as you handle genuine objects from staff and passengers of Concorde and enjoy an item from the menu! This experience is particularly suited to neurodivergent people and those with sensory needs. There will be reduced noise in this tour.
25-minute guided tour which includes:
· Complimentary Concorde Boarding pass
· Hear about the history and operation of the Concorde fleet
· Handle clothing, photographs, and memorabilia from Concorde’s flying days
· Sit in the comfort of Concorde Passenger seats
· Complimentary Concorde Flight Certificate
· Taste a sample from an actual in-flight Concorde menu
​​​Our Café will be open for our ‘Brooklands Breakfast offer’.
The Museum will then be open as normal from 10am – 5pm when all our exhibit areas will be open. *some activities have step access only

Autism-Friendly Opening @ History of Science Museum - University of Oxford
2025-08-30 10:45 - 11:45 | History of Science Museum – University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AZ, United Kingdom
Autism-Friendly Openings
Saturday 30 August | 10.45-11.45am

Email Helen to book for your family: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk

A relaxed morning opening to enjoy the Museum displays and collections in a quiet environment for families with members on the autism spectrum.

At the Welcome Desk you can pick up a backpack designed with autism-friendly activities to help the whole family explore the museum together.
Although this is a relaxed opening, there may still be some noises around the Museum, so please do bring along ear protectors if you need them.

Book a space by emailing Helen: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk

You can also join our mailing list to hear about future events.
And don’t miss Autism-Friendly openings at the Museum of Natural History.

Relaxed Opening @ The National Museum of Computing, Milton Keynes
2025-09-11 10:30 - 17:00, 2026-01-24 10:30 - 16:30 | The National Museum of Computing, MK3 6EB
Join us for a Relaxed Opening of The National Museum of Computing for families and individuals who require a quieter and calmer environment to experience our Museum.
This sensory-friendly event provides a way to explore and enjoy TNMOC outside of general opening hours. The event is suitable for individuals or families with members who have sensory processing differences, autistic spectrum conditions or other sensory needs.
The recommended time to see the exhibitions is approximately two hours, but this varies from visitor to visitor.
Special adjustments will include:

Fewer tickets are available, so the galleries will be less busy than usual
A small Quiet Room will be available in our Library, near the Museum exit
You can download a Sensory Map from our Accesibility webpage
A print copy of the Sensory Map will be available onsite during the Relaxed Opening. Please ask a member of staff at the ticketing desk for a copy

What visitors say about our Relaxed Openings:
“A huge thank you for organising the relaxed session. It makes a huge difference to families like mine to be able to get out.”
Our boys both loved it… Ordinarily, after a few hours one son is on edge, on the verge of overload. They say living with autism is like living life in a disco … I want to comment about your staff, … They were utterly brilliant. Patient, understanding, and tremendously knowledgeable, they explained things in such an accessible way, that there was always someone available.”
Activities on the day:
Self-Guided Museum Explorations:
Our ticketing desk give you all the important information about the self-guided explorations available at TNMOC. Some trails are digital (please bring your own device), and some are paper-based. Trails offered at the Museum are:

Robot Rescue! (6-10 years) – Explore the Museum and find all our mini-bots before their batteries run out and they’re lost forever! Grab a worksheet to record all of the mini-bot locations and fill in the missing words to identify a secret message which can only be deciphered using our Enigma machine!
Treasure Hunt (6+ years) – Become a geo-cacher using the Adventure Lab app and hunt for treasure boxes around the Museum. Decode our computer-related ding-bats to find the missing letters that form an anagram and win a small prize in our shop.
Codename: Cipher [Enigma & The Bombe] – The year is 1940 and you have been invited to Bletchley Park to assist in the war effort. Your first assignment is to catch the undercover spy operating out of the UK known only as Codename Cipher.
Internet Explorers – Are you ready to become an Internet explorer? Delve into the evolution of networked communication and connect with the history of how the Internet revolutionised communication and interaction.
Women in Computing – Discover the inspirational achievements of past and present women in computing and explore their impact on the industry.

Quiet Hour @ Brooklands Museum, Surrey
2025-09-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, KT13 0QN, United Kingdom
We will open our gates an hour early at 9am for a Quiet Hour for our annual fun filled Emergency Services Day – where you will see a wide variety of emergency vehicles and pieces of apparatus used in our emergency services. This will be an impressive line-up of current serving vehicles and older historic vehicles with no sirens or flashing lights operating for the Quiet Hour period.
We will also open our Motoring Village which includes the Jackson shed – British Grand Prix: Where it all began, Campbell ERA Shed – Fastest on earth: Racing Legends of Brooklands and the Barnes Wallis’ Stratosphere Chamber for visitors who are neurodivergent to enjoy these areas of the Museum, free from the hustle and bustle of our normal opening hours.
Our Sunbeam Café will be open for our ‘Brooklands Breakfast offer’ and our family activities will be running from 9am.
The Museum will then be open as normal from 10am – 5pm when all our exhibit areas will be open.

Relaxed Opening @ History of Science Museum, Oxford
2025-09-27 10:45 - 11:45 | History of Science Museum – University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AZ, United Kingdom
Relaxed Opening
Saturday 27 September | 10.45-11.45am
Autism Friendly Openings Backpack in use
Email Helen to book for your family: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
A relaxed morning for exploring the Museum in a quieter setting. Created for neurodivergent and SEND visitors, those with sensory processing differences, and anyone who would enjoy a calmer environment for their visit.
SEND RAL Autism Friendly backpack
At the Welcome Desk you can pick up a backpack* with activities to help the whole family explore the museum together.
Although this is a relaxed opening, there may still be some noises around the Museum, so please do bring along ear protectors if you need them.
All ages welcome.
Book a space by emailing Helen: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
*The Museum’s SEND-friendly backpacks for families were developed in collaboration with RAL Space and Iffley Academy specialist school.
You can join our mailing list to hear about future events.
And don’t miss Autism-Friendly openings at the Museum of Natural History.
Want to see more events?

Access Friendly Day @ Story Museum, Oxford
2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:30 | Story Museum, Oxford, United Kingdom
Access-friendly Day
Suitable for allSmiling child wearing ear defenders
Join us for our Access-friendly Museum Day and enjoy a chance to explore all the Museum Galleries (including Small Worlds) for a single entry ticket. Our Access-friendly days are suitable for everyone.
Enjoy a day of access to both the Galleries and Small Worlds with a single ticket and explore the Museum in whatever way best suits you and your family. Our access-friendly days are suitable for all families but particularly those who prefer a more relaxed experience as the museum spaces will run with adjusted lighting and sounds and the tickets are limited to keep numbers small.
Entry is by timed ticket to help avoid crowds and includes entry to both the Galleries (including our Here Be Dragons exhibition in the Treasure Chamber) and Small Worlds.
If you’d like to find out more about our Access-friendly Day or have any specific enquiries, please send us an email.

Autism Friendly Opening @ Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford
2025-10-18 09:00 - 10:00 | Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford, OX1 3PW
Saturday 18 October, 9.00 – 10.00
A relaxed morning opening to explore the Museum collections in a quiet environment for families with members on the Autism spectrum. More information, including a visual guide, will be emailed to attendees a week prior to the event to help you to prepare for your visit. Please note that although this is a relaxed opening there may still be noises in the Museum so please bring along ear protectors if required. This is a joint event with the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
Booking is essential. Please contact education@oum.ox.ac.uk to book your place.

Relaxed Opening @ History of Science Museum, Oxford
2025-10-25 10:45 - 11:45 | History of Science Museum – University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AZ, United Kingdom
Relaxed Opening
Saturday 25 October | 10.45-11.45am
Autism Friendly Openings Backpack in use
Email Helen to book for your family: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
A relaxed morning for exploring the Museum in a quieter setting. Created for neurodivergent and SEND visitors, those with sensory processing differences, and anyone who would enjoy a calmer environment for their visit.
SEND RAL Autism Friendly backpack
At the Welcome Desk you can pick up a backpack* with activities to help the whole family explore the museum together.
Although this is a relaxed opening, there may still be some noises around the Museum, so please do bring along ear protectors if you need them.
All ages welcome.
Book a space by emailing Helen: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
*The Museum’s SEND-friendly backpacks for families were developed in collaboration with RAL Space and Iffley Academy specialist school.
You can join our mailing list to hear about future events.
And don’t miss Autism-Friendly openings at the Museum of Natural History.
Want to see more events?

Quiet Hour @ Brooklands Museum, Surrey
2025-10-31 09:00 - 10:00 | Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, KT13 0QN, United Kingdom
Half Term Quiet Hour, Friday 31 October, 9am – 10am
We will be opening our Motoring Village which includes the Jackson shed – British Grand Prix: Where it all began, Campbell ERA Shed – Fastest on earth: Racing Legends of Brooklands and the Barnes Wallis’ Stratosphere Chamber, for visitors who are neurodivergent to enjoy these areas of the Museum, free from the hustle and bustle of our normal opening hours.
Our Sunbeam Café will be open for our ‘Brooklands Breakfast offer’ and our half term family activities will be running from 9am.
The Museum will then be open as normal from 10am – 5pm when all our exhibit areas will be open.

SENDsational mornings @ NHM, Tring
2025-11-09 10:00 - 12:00 | National History Museum, Tring, Tring, HP23 6AP

Relaxed Opening @ History of Science Museum, Oxford
2025-11-22 10:45 - 11:45 | History of Science Museum – University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AZ, United Kingdom
Relaxed Opening
Saturday 22 November | 10.45-11.45am
Autism Friendly Openings Backpack in use
Email Helen to book for your family: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
A relaxed morning for exploring the Museum in a quieter setting. Created for neurodivergent and SEND visitors, those with sensory processing differences, and anyone who would enjoy a calmer environment for their visit.
SEND RAL Autism Friendly backpack
At the Welcome Desk you can pick up a backpack* with activities to help the whole family explore the museum together.
Although this is a relaxed opening, there may still be some noises around the Museum, so please do bring along ear protectors if you need them.
All ages welcome.
Book a space by emailing Helen: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
*The Museum’s SEND-friendly backpacks for families were developed in collaboration with RAL Space and Iffley Academy specialist school.
You can join our mailing list to hear about future events.
And don’t miss Autism-Friendly openings at the Museum of Natural History.
Want to see more events?

Quiet Hour @ Brooklands Museum, Surrey
2025-12-29 09:00 - 10:00 | Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, KT13 0QN, United Kingdom
Quiet Hour, Christmas Holidays, Monday 29 December, 9-10am
Our Aircraft Factory the home of our Wellington Bomber, the Flight Shed where you have a go at deciphering Morse Code, step inside the Vickers Wellington walkthrough as well as being able to get up close and sit in the pilot’s seats of the Hawker Hunter and Harrier aircraft* and the London Bus Museum with a wide array of buses on display from vintage to modern. Visitors who are neurodivergent can enjoy these areas of the Museum, free from the hustle and bustle of our normal opening hours.
Our Sunbeam Café will be open for our ‘Brooklands Breakfast offer’ and our Christmas holiday family activities will be running from 9am.
The Museum will then be open as normal from 10am – 4pm when all our exhibit areas will be open.
*Some activities have step access only

Relaxed Opening @ History of Science Museum, Oxford
2026-01-24 10:45 - 11:45 | History of Science Museum – University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AZ, United Kingdom
Relaxed Opening
Saturday 24 January | 10.45-11.45am
Autism Friendly Openings Backpack in use
Email Helen to book for your family: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
A relaxed morning for exploring the Museum in a quieter setting. Created for neurodivergent and SEND visitors, those with sensory processing differences, and anyone who would enjoy a calmer environment for their visit.
SEND RAL Autism Friendly backpack
At the Welcome Desk you can pick up a backpack* with activities to help the whole family explore the museum together.
Although this is a relaxed opening, there may still be some noises around the Museum, so please do bring along ear protectors if you need them.
All ages welcome.
Book a space by emailing Helen: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
*The Museum’s SEND-friendly backpacks for families were developed in collaboration with RAL Space and Iffley Academy specialist school.
You can join our mailing list to hear about future events.
And don’t miss Autism-Friendly openings at the Museum of Natural History.
Want to see more events?

Relaxed Opening @ History of Science Museum, Oxford
2026-02-21 10:45 - 11:45 | History of Science Museum – University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AZ, United Kingdom
Relaxed Opening
Saturday 21 February | 10.45-11.45am
Autism Friendly Openings Backpack in use
Email Helen to book for your family: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
A relaxed morning for exploring the Museum in a quieter setting. Created for neurodivergent and SEND visitors, those with sensory processing differences, and anyone who would enjoy a calmer environment for their visit.
SEND RAL Autism Friendly backpack
At the Welcome Desk you can pick up a backpack* with activities to help the whole family explore the museum together.
Although this is a relaxed opening, there may still be some noises around the Museum, so please do bring along ear protectors if you need them.
All ages welcome.
Book a space by emailing Helen: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
*The Museum’s SEND-friendly backpacks for families were developed in collaboration with RAL Space and Iffley Academy specialist school.
You can join our mailing list to hear about future events.
And don’t miss Autism-Friendly openings at the Museum of Natural History.
Want to see more events?

Relaxed Opening @ History of Science Museum, Oxford
2026-03-28 10:45 - 11:45 | History of Science Museum – University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AZ, United Kingdom
Relaxed Opening
Saturday 28 March | 10.45-11.45am
Autism Friendly Openings Backpack in use
Email Helen to book for your family: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
A relaxed morning for exploring the Museum in a quieter setting. Created for neurodivergent and SEND visitors, those with sensory processing differences, and anyone who would enjoy a calmer environment for their visit.
SEND RAL Autism Friendly backpack
At the Welcome Desk you can pick up a backpack* with activities to help the whole family explore the museum together.
Although this is a relaxed opening, there may still be some noises around the Museum, so please do bring along ear protectors if you need them.
All ages welcome.
Book a space by emailing Helen: learning@hsm.ox.ac.uk
*The Museum’s SEND-friendly backpacks for families were developed in collaboration with RAL Space and Iffley Academy specialist school.
You can join our mailing list to hear about future events.
And don’t miss Autism-Friendly openings at the Museum of Natural History.
Want to see more events?
