The staff of the British Optical Association Museum want you to enjoy your visit and to make things as easy as possible for you during the time you spend with us.
How to get here - We occupy the northernmost terraced house in Craven Street, just south of the Strand, accessed down a pedestrian ramp passing between 'Boots' and 'Next'. The side of Charing Cross Railway Station is literally adjacent to our building. The nearest tube stations are Charing Cross (Northern/Bakerloo lines) or Embankment (District/Circle, Northern and Bakerloo lines). The building is identified by a brass plaque naming the College of Optometrists.
On arrival - Please ring the bell. You will be asked to sign in at Reception where you should ask for the Museum Curator. You may use our toilet and coat stand. We may ask you to leave bulky luggage at Reception.
Where to go next - Since we are small, why not combine your visit to us with another heritage attraction? Our nearest neighbours are the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery to be found off Trafalgar Square. (Try looking for paintings of people wearing spectacles!). We are just south of Covent Garden where you will find the London Transport Museum within easy walking distance. Craven Street leads down to the new Hungerford Foot Bridge by which you may cross to County Hall attractions and the London Eye. Our nearest partner in the London Museums of Health and Medicine group is the Florence Nightingale Museum on the St Thomas's Hospital site to the south of Westminster Bridge (an interesting fifteen minute riverside walk).
Where to eat - There are no refreshment facilities at the museum but Craven Street is parallel to Villiers Street (on the other side of Charing Cross station) where you can find a wide range of establishments including traditional pubs, English and Italian restaurants, sandwich shops, bagel bakery, sushi and salad bars. Nearby, on the Strand, are two well known pizza chains and a burger chain.
Disabled access - There are two steps up to the front door. The Museum floor can be accessed by either stairs or lift and is all on one level. The text of temporary exhibitions is available in large print format on request. We can offer touch tours to the visually impaired. Please contact us in advance if you have any special needs and we will try our best to help.
Souvenirs - We sell a range of postcards, posters, books and pamphlets concerning ophthalmic heritage and the optometric profession. These may be purchased at the museum or ordered by post from the MusEYEum Shop.
The Museum welcomes all potential users. Please refer to our Standards of Service.