(Gallery) Cafě

Welcome to the museum. Before we go inside, I’d like to remind you of one or two things. Firstly, you’ll be pleased to know that admission is free to all visitors so explore at your leisure and, if you can’t take it all in today, you can come back again and again without any charge at all. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. most days but the museum closes a little later on Thursday and Friday evenings. There are new multimedia guides available in 10 languages—they can be picked up from the desk in the covered courtyard for four pounds fifty and you can have it with you all day—from opening time in the morning until half an hour before closing—but you will need to produce ID—a passport, driver’s license or national identity card are all acceptable. These multimedia guides have audio commentary as well as images and an interactive map for easy navigation. They’re simple to operate and you will get a more detailed insight into many of the objects in the various galleries.
    As a security measure, apart from your camera and a purse, wallet or small handbag, your other belongings such as large bags, coats and umbrellas will have to be left at the cloakroom. Please note that the museum has recently revised the regulations for the size of bags and parcels that it will accept in its cloakrooms. I think the maximum size is 40 by 40 by 50 centimeters with a maximum weight of 8 kilograms. The only exception to this is prams and pushchairs. There is a charge of one pound per item. The main cloakroom is to the left of the main entrance and there is another one at the north entrance.
    It may seem obvious but may I remind you also that you should set your mobile phone to silent or turn it off altogether while you are in the museum and not carry or consume any food or drink in the exhibition halls. If you are hungry, there is an excellent restaurant where you can purchase a light lunch or a full meal. If it’s just a hot beverage you want, then I can recommend taking a break at the Gallery Café.