Access

If you require any assistance ahead of or during your visit, don’t hesitate to ask. Our team will be always be happy to help. Please use the contact details listed or ask a member of staff when you arrive at the centre.

Ear defenders and coloured reading overlays are also available to use during your visit and can be requested at the front desk.

Access Enhanced Events

While we aim for all events to be as accessible as possible and all events and performances are ‘relaxed’ so that all families can enjoy them (we don’t expect our young audiences to be completely still or quiet!), we also have a programme of Access Enhanced events:

BSL-Interpreted events

Usually last Saturday of every month – take a look at our Things to See and Do page to see details and book.

Signed performances for d/Deaf families and any visitors who use British Sign Language.

Sensory Adapted events

Usually last Sunday of every month – take a look at our Things to See and Do page to see details and book.

Our ‘Sensory Adapted’ sessions are modified in various ways, to make them more suitable for certain families with SEN.  Some of the differences are:  

• We will explicitly indicate that our audience is welcome to move around, make noise and leave or re-enter the session throughout. 
• We’ve kept capacity lower, and are holding these sessions at times when Discover is generally quieter throughout the building. 
• Lights and sound levels will be adapted to make these sessions less overwhelming – we’ll also have a specific chillout area outside for those who need a break. 
• Ear defenders will be offered to those who need them (NB these are always available on request at our reception). 

All upcoming events are listed on our Things To See and Do page with an Access Enhanced label.

Social Stories

If you or your child like to see a new space before visiting it, take a look at our social stories videos below or on our Social Stories YouTube playlist.

You can also download PDF social stories for our Story Worlds.

Storytelling Space: we ask that you remove your shoes and put them in the provided storage area before entering the storytelling space.

Concessions and companion/carer tickets

Disabled visitors are entitled to one concessionary ticket and one free companion/carer ticket. When booking online, choose Disabled Adult or Child and Carer – or call 020 8536 5555.

Parking

There are blue badge holder bays in the immediate vicinity of Discover on Bridge Terrace, off Bridge Road, which are clearly marked. All blue badge holders can park in the shared use/permit parking bays in the surrounding streets (Bridge Road, Dawn Crescent, Bryant Street, Widdin Street, Pitchford Street) without time limit providing the blue badge is displayed. 

Find out more about parking with a Blue Badge in Newham. 

Visiting during quieter times

We are quietest midweek during term time. On these days you get to play all day, although one floor of our Story Worlds will sometimes be closed for an hour or so, for school visits. If you want a day without schools, Fridays are just for families. If you want extra-quiet days, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are best.  

If you can only come on a weekend or during the holidays, we are generally a bit less busy in the afternoon and on very hot and sunny days. And rainy days are always the most busy! 

Chill out space

If you need a quiet space to take a break at any point during your visit, our team are trained to assist and will be happy to guide you to an available space.

Wheelchair users and customers with reduced mobility

Discover is wheelchair accessible, with step-free access to all entrances and a lift serving all floors. An accessible toilet is available on each floor. On the Ground Floor the accessible toilet is fitted with a height adjustable changing bench and ceiling track hoist system. 

Visitors who are D/deaf, deafened or hard of hearing

An induction loop is available at the Reception Desk and in the Café. To use the loop, you will need to switch your hearing aid to the “T” position.

BSL interpreted performances are available for some of our events.

Please check individual event information for further details. 

Multi-sensory play, noise and lighting levels

The majority of play equipment and events at Discover incorporate multi-sensory elements, mixing visual, tactile and auditory stimuli so they can be enjoyed by the widest audience possible.

Most play areas incorporate a number of sound effects. Show announcements are also made regularly via overhead speakers. Some spaces within Discover have dim lighting.

If this may be a concern, please use the contact details listed on this page or ask a member of staff when you arrive at the centre. Ear defenders are also available for those who request them.

Animals

Assistance dogs are welcome at Discover. 

Visitors with SEN or additional learning needs

All our sessions are led by dynamic and skilled Story Builders who are trained to support core language and literacy key skills. Our sessions are accessible to disabled children and children with SEN and EAL.