AIBU to think I shouldn't have visited the Science Museum in a wheelchair?

Of course you shouldn’t curtail where you go and when. Yes, children get excited but the problem is parents seem to not want to control their children nor teach them to be more aware of people especially wheelchair users etc.

YABU for thinking you shouldn't have visited! Some people are so selfish and entitled these days, don't let it put you off.

As an autistic adult, this is why I deliberately avoid going basically anywhere on bank holidays, school holidays or weekends. I cannot cope with the crowds, level of noise, selfishness, inconsiderate behaviour, poor parenting and general shitty behaviour that our society has become. People with disabilities or just anyone that’s different really, shouldn’t have to curtail their lives because of other people’s poor behaviour but….such is life. Nobody really cares about other people outside their little bubble.

Yes, that's a fair point. I'm not saying everyone queuing had an invisible disability, but neither OP nor anyone in this thread is qualified to assess how many did and who they were.

I started to think a few years ago that the Free Museums werent actually a good idea. Yes, they improved (financial) assessibility but have ked to the museums becoming tired, understaffed and over busy (plus underappreciated). Even a £5 fee (with family discounts, snd maybe a UC discount) would massively improve them.

With regard to the lifts, not all disabilities are visible. If I attempted 4 flights of stairs, I too would be face down in your lap if I reached the top floor.

It does sound horrendous for you.

I am not a wheelchair user. I do avoid going to places on a bank holiday and out of school time that is popular with families and children for similar reasons you encountered, I,e, thoughtless parents, crowds, people too close to me, not enjoying myself etc.

However it doesn't sound like the Science museum is thoughtful laid out for wheel chair users from what posters are saying. I haven't been so cant comment on that but between that and it being crowded with children its sounds awful.

Who are these able bodied people using the lifts? Why? The stairs aren't that long between floors? How lazy are some people?

Going anywhere like that on a bank holiday is always a mistake if you're a wheelchair user. You have to be really outspoken with a people in a busy environment and ignore the catty/snide looks.

This is what happens when parents don't think they need to teach their kids to watch where they go, tell them off if they are running in a public place, tell them to apologise if they hit someone.

It is one of the main reasons why I avoid public places that attract kids. I get frustrated at how unaware kids are. Worse are their parents who actually believe the adult is systematically in the wrong if their kid gets hurt, or have a go at you if you dare say something to the child.

I'm really sorry this was your experience, sadly, that's the reality of public life in 2026.

Absolutely people on foot should give way if physically able, but dragging a child in a pushchair up and down several flights of stairs when there is a lift is just martyrdom (and dangerous)

I’m also a wheelchair user. Walk in front and cut me up, you will get clipped. That’s just the way it is. I’m a decent chair driver too but people don’t seem to see us at all too buys wrapped up in their own little world. Children need controlling too, it’s a museum not a play park - let them run around at the park then do the museum people. I have 3 kids and one cooking I’m a not a child hating monster but the free for all of feral children brothers me.

Your wheelchair is not the problem. People not being observant and considerate is.

Those lifts are to prioritise people in wheelchairs or people with mobility problems!!

I think the parent who made the comment about it being an unsuitable place for a wheelchair is incredibly rude and ignorant. A perfect example of ableism in our society. Wheelchair users have as much right to be there as anyone else.

The rest of us need to do a better job of being mindful of who is in the the vicinity of our energetic toddlers and younger children. People treat the Science Museum like it's a playground and it's not. It's an attraction which can be heaving so letting small kids run riot is asking for trouble.

I was there recently!!!!
And I actually spoke up for a young adult girl in a wheelchair she must have been 17 with her friends people pushing for lift able bodied people !!
I told them to move aside and let her in wheelchair users are what the lifts are for !!
People looked embarrassed she looked happy ! And I would do the same again people should be embarrassed lazy c😡😡nts !
If you have no struggles using the stairs use them !
I do have arthritis and struggle but I still use the stairs until I can't !
Op I am so sorry about your day we are living in a world where alot of people are selfish and entitled and only out for themselves and parents are becoming lazy letting their kids run riot !

There is no consideration these days for anybody who is regarded as old or slow. It is not just kids, but many 30 to 40 year olds as well. Hope they regret their behaviour when they get older. It is frustrating when you can't go faster or even get somewhere at all. It is symptomatic of the selfish attitude in Britain that has become much more noticeable since covid, is it because of their parent's or just the general malaise that has become the norm in this country?

I'd tell anyone who asked about going to popular, free, world famous London museums on a not particularly sunny BH that it was going to be like something out of Hades.I'm not in a wheelchair, but do have an ND child so obviously that's a different complexity to navigate, and wouldn't go anywhere near it under those circumstances. We did go to the Science Museum fairly recently during school holidays and found the 3-6pm slot pleasantly doable though.

Telling you that you shouldn't have been there cos of your wheelchair is absolutely 100% fucking unacceptable.

I went there a few weeks ago and as a fully able bodied person, found it unbearable and difficult to move around so I can easily Imagine the scenarios you mentioned, particularly with the lifts (we had a pushchair). We didn’t stay long at all.

However being told you shouldn’t come because you are in a wheelchair is a disgrace. I find it incredible people continue to have that attitude and actually say it out loud, as though it’s acceptable.

I’m in a wheelchaur

a man once literally fell into my lap at Liverpool Street station because he “hadn’t seen me” and was cutting across the station.

there was an assistance bloke leading three people in wheelchairs and I was directly behind the assistance bloke.

he literally ran into the side of my wheelchair and fell into me.

it fucking hurt actually and I cried.

he didn’t say sorry either.

in busy places people move in all directions and a surprising number of people seem to operate on a “nobody visible at head height equals nobody there” policy.

he’s not the first person who has literally run into me and fallen on me.

oh and re the tube: it’s a fucking nightmare for accessibility. Buses are better. I generally hang the expense and use a cab.

And security will just let this happen without calling the police? How does this advice actually help?

Yes you should be able to go anywhere you want but all you can do it is speak to them and ask for more staff to monitor the crowds but with busy places things happen and in an ideal world it would all work in the appropriate way bit real life is not like that

Yes but what should happen is...doesn't mean it will

Perhaps the museums could do more by only having pre-booked, timed entry only at peak times and so not letting so many people in at once.

Fuck it. Turn the speed up and mow 'em down. And enjoy it. Maybe fit a loud klaxon too.

I find the Science Museum pretty awful on Bank Holidays and I'm a relatively nimble footed adult. I'm not surprised you had a hard time there, OP, though I'm very sorry you did. The museum needs to expand to meet increased demand and limit density inside the building much more than it does. Some parents also need to up their game, but there are always going to be situations you can't predict and they are made so much more common by the over crowding the museum allows.

Wheelchair or not, there's no way I'd go on a bank holiday. Especially one when expected good weather fails to deliver!

ALL of the issues you had were because it was a busy bank holiday,

you don't need to pick your venue more carefully, but you need to be more careful when you visit. It has nothing to do with being in a wheelchair, just the rough & tumble if crowds.

You also need to allow even more space between your wheelchair & other people. In a museum (or anywhere) people are going to stop to look at things & the onus is on you to allow enough stopping distance the same as when you are driving a car or pushing a buggy.