Relaxed Hours: When Forms Come Alive
Our Relaxed Hours offer a more relaxed environment with additional support for visiting our exhibition When Forms Come Alive.
We welcome everyone to the gallery throughout our opening hours but we also recognise that some visitors may require a more relaxed approach to noise and movement in the space, or additional support to experience exhibitions fully.
Our Relaxed programme provides a relaxed environment for those with sensory processing differences, neurodivergent visitors or those living with neurological conditions, as well as early-year visitors, parents and carers.
We don’t expect visitors to be quiet. It is a time and space for you to be yourself. Take up space with reduced exhibition capacity. A chill-out space and noise-cancelling headphones are available.
Come along for a guided tour of the exhibition, and spend some time in our Relaxed Hours studio spaces inside the gallery for you to play, create and reflect with artists and the Southbank Centre’s Arts & Wellbeing Team. We’re setting out to engage all of our senses and explore a variety of activities together.
Open to all and we encourage bookings from SEND schools and community groups.
Support Workers Information Session
We also offer an information session for group leaders looking to find out more about Relaxed Hours in preparation for bringing along a group.
The Creative Engagement team is on hand to share more about our Relaxed offers and how we can best support the needs and access requirements of your groups.
This event has limited places and is open to support workers, carers and activity coordinators in care settings, teachers and support workers working within SEND settings, parents, and those who may be coordinating larger groups to attend Relaxed Hours.
For more information and to book a free place, email us directly via [email protected] or call on 07989 083109.
Need to know
Advance booking is essential and you’re asked to choose a time slot when you book. However, for this event your ticket allows you to arrive, leave and re-enter at any time between 10am and 3pm.
This event is part of our Arts & Wellbeing programme.
Find out more about Arts & Wellbeing
For bursary places and travel support, email [email protected] or call us on 079 8908 3109.
Access
When there are sensory elements included in the show, such as bright lights and sound features, these are modified for this event.
Our Preparatory Story, which includes full details about the exhibition and navigating your way to the Hayward Gallery, is accessible here, and will also be sent to all Relaxed Hours ticket holders ahead of visiting.
View Preparatory Story
Our Social Story, which is shorter and uses Accessible Symbols, and includes further information about creative activities taking place as part of our Relaxed Hours event is accessible here, and will also be sent to all Relaxed Hours ticket holders ahead of visiting.
View Social Story
If you have a particular requirement or any questions ahead of your visit, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
All our Access & facilities information
For your visit
This event is held at the Hayward Gallery Southbank Centre
The Hayward Gallery is currently closed.
It reopens for Anish Kapoor on Tuesday 16 June 2026.
Plan your visit
The Hayward Gallery is also where you’ll find the HENI Project Space.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
Cloakroom
We have a cloakroom for coats, umbrellas and small bags; it costs £2 per item.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Exhibition tours
Guided tours of our Hayward Gallery exhibitions are available to ticket holders; the dates and times of these can be found when you click through to book your exhibition tickets.
If you’d like to arrange a private/group tour of an exhibition, please contact us. The Hayward Gallery does not accept external tour guides or tour groups – all exhibition tours must be arranged through the Southbank Centre.
Food & drink
Offering sandwiches, salads, cakes and coffee, Hayward Gallery Cafe is the perfect spot for a pre-exhibition energy boost or a post-visit drink.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.