Welcome to the Sainsbury Centre, an international art museum home to world class art collections from contemporary to anthropological and archaeological themes, cafes, shop and 350-acre outdoor Sculpture Park. Please book in advance if you are able for our special exhibitions. If you have any queries, please contact scva@uea.ac.uk.
Find us
University of East Anglia,
Norfolk Road,
Norwich NR4 7TJ
Box office Monday – Friday 10am-5pm
T: 01603 593199
Opening times:
Tuesday – Friday 9am-6pm (exhibitions open 9.30am)
Saturday – Sunday 10am-5pm
Closed Mondays, including bank holidays
Christmas opening times:
Monday 23 to Thursday 26 December – Closed
Friday 27 to Monday 30 December – Open
Tuesday 31 December – Open (early closure)
Wednesday 1 January – Closed
Thursday 2 January – Open
Friday 3 January – Open
Entry
Our new Universal Ticket grants access to the permanent collection, lower and mezzanine galleries, and Sculpture Park. Tickets operate on a ‘Pay If and What You Can’ basis, so you can choose the price from free through to full membership. Upon arrival, please go to gallery reception where our universal ticket is available.
Your visit
Arrival
- Please park in the Sainsbury Centre car park opposite to the entrance of the museum and register your vehicle at Gallery Reception. what3words: ///tanks.wiring.prices
- Overflow parking is available, please speak to the team at Gallery Reception on arrival. what3words: ///bank.wiping.lasted
- Enter using the Gallery entrance, you may need to queue during busy times. what3words: ///zeal.jaws.sculpture
- Our new Universal Ticket grants access to the permanent collection, lower and mezzanine galleries, and Sculpture Park. Tickets operate on a ‘Pay If and What You Can’ basis, so you can choose the price from free through to full membership. Upon arrival, please go to gallery reception where our universal ticket is available.
- Our cloakroom or lockers are now available for coats or bags. These are situated just to the right hand side of the main entry doors.
Permanent Collection
- Photographs can be taken in the Sainsbury Centre Collection without flash. Please ask at reception for guidance around our special exhibitions.
Exhibitions
- Our one Universal Ticket grants access to the Permanent collection, lower and mezzanine galleries, and Sculpture Park. Tickets operate on a ‘Pay If and What You Can’ basis, so you can choose the price from free through to full membership. Upon arrival, please go to gallery reception where our universal ticket is available.
Gallery Shop
- The Gallery shop is fully stocked and open for purchases.
- Payment is by card and mobile only.
Sculpture Park
- Our Sculpture Park is open for all to enjoy during daylight hours.
- A free trail map is available to download here.
Toilets
- Toilets are available throughout the Centre, and are cleaned before opening and throughout the day.
- Baby changing facilities are located in the toilets near the Modern Life Cafe.
- Exhibitions have recommended toilets to use near to the galleries. All other visitors will have access to the toilets inside the building to the left of the entrance doors.
- There is a Changing Places toilet on campus in the UEA Science Building, less than 5 minutes from the Centre. More information here.
WiFi
Visitors can make use of ‘The Cloud‘ Wi-Fi by signing up for an account. This is the same type of service that you see in hotels, restaurants and shopping centres and you do not need a UEA username and account to access it.
• Check that your Wi-Fi Setting on your device is on.
• Connect to ‘The Cloud‘ in your Wi-Fi settings available network list.
• Open your browser – instructions will appear to help you set up an account or login if you are already registered. Sometimes the instructions will pop up automatically.
• Follow the on-screen instructions and register your details in the system
• You are now connected and will auto connect in the future
Note that The Cloud is a service managed by Sky. Users of the service are subject to Sky’s own terms and conditions and not the University Conditions of Computer Use. We recommend that potential users review The Cloud’s Privacy Notice, which explains how Sky will use your personal information while you use the service. Acceptance of these policies is a condition of registration and users should note their right to opt out of marketing communications from Sky and/or its affiliates.
What are the accommodation options close to the Sainsbury Centre?
- The Assembly House – The Assembly House is a gorgeous Georgian gem perfectly located in the heart of Norwich.
- Travelodge Norwich Cringleford – This local Travelodge is budget friendly and only a 9 minute drive away from the Centre.
Contact: scva@uea.ac.uk
01603 593199
Read our Zero Tolerance Policy
Getting here
What are the travel options for getting to the Sainsbury Centre?
Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ
Good Journey – We have partnered up with Good Journey to encourage greener travel and to help make culture accessible to car-free visitors. Travel the greener way and enjoy a 10% discount in the Terrace Cafe if you visit us car-free.
Bus – Bus routes 25 and 26 run from Norwich Train Station and reach the Sainsbury Centre via Norwich City. More information and timetables on the First Bus website here.
Park & Ride – Park and Ride Konect Bus Service 511 is our free to use alternative to bringing a car to campus for UEA staff & students and £1 for members of the public. The service operates Monday to Friday, throughout the year. Campus card holders will need to display their campus cards to use the service for free. Visitors will be charged £1 for a return journey. More information is available here
Cycle – The Sainsbury Centre and UEA provide secure bike racks within walking distance of our building. what3words: ///oldest.bill.exile
Train – Trains from London to Norwich are served by Greater Anglia. It is a 25 minute taxi ride from the station to the Centre. You can find out more about tickets and routes from their dedicated page here.
Taxi – There are many different taxi firms around the city, advance booking is advised at peak times. These will drop you right outside the front doors.
Coaches – We cannot accommodate coaches, or similar vehicles without pre-arrangement. Please read below section regarding group bookings. Contact scva@uea.ac.uk for further parking information.
Drive – The Sainsbury Centre has a limited number of free first come, first served parking spaces outside the building, and spaces cannot be reserved or booked. We are very well served by bus services and recommend using alternative forms of transport where possible, which are listed below.
Parking- Please park in the Sainsbury Centre carpark opposite to the entrance of the museum and register your vehicle at Gallery Reception. Overflow parking is available, please speak to the team at Gallery Reception on arrival.
Please be aware that UEA staff and UEA students are not permitted to use the Sainsbury Centre P7 car park at any time, even when visiting the Sainsbury Centre. Please refer to the UEA Parking Policy. The UEA offers alternative pay and display parking. Find our parking map by clicking the ‘read more’ button below.
READ MOREREAD LESS
Contact: scva@uea.ac.uk
01603 593199
Covid safety
Will I need to wear a face covering in the Sainsbury Centre?
- All visitors (except those who are medically exempt) will be required to wear a face covering when inside the building. A list of exemptions is included on the government’s website here.
- All staff will be wearing appropriate PPE, including face coverings and visors, and there will be a Perspex screen around the Visitor Services desk.
What do I need to do for Test and Trace?
- We are using the NHS Covid-19 app. You can scan in independently using your mobile via a QR code.
- Non-smartphone users can provide their details to the Visitor Services team.
- All visitors will need to check in at gallery reception to confirm that they have scanned in using the app or to provide alternative information for test and trace.
What cleaning and safety procedures are in place?
- We have increased the frequency and depth of our cleaning.
- A full clean of the Sainsbury Centre will be completed before opening each day.
- All high-contact ‘touchpoint’ areas will be regularly cleaned throughout the day.
- Customer facing staff will have their own cleaning kit to ensure ‘touch point’ areas are kept clean.
Contact: scva@uea.ac.uk
01603 593199
Tickets
At the Sainsbury Centre we believe that Art Is For All.
That’s why we are the first museum in the UK to introduce a Pay If and What You Can ticketing system for the entire museum.
On arrival, every visitor gets a Universal Ticket, which gives them entry to our entire Arts Landscape; the Permanent Collection and all special exhibitions in the Lower Galleries and Mezzanine.
The price of that ticket is up to you. When obtaining your ticket, you will be given a selection of prices, from Free Entry up to £20 per ticket. We encourage you to contribute whichever amount you feel able to, knowing that it supports our mission to provide access to the arts for everyone.
No pre-booking is necessary, please just make your way to the front desk on arrival to get your Universal Ticket. No matter how much you pay, you will have access to the same experience, and will be able to explore everything the Sainsbury Centre has to offer.
As a not-for-profit organisation, all of our ticket proceeds go towards funding the exhibitions and activities we host at the Centre.
Contact: 01603 593199
Box office open Monday – Friday 10am-5pm
Eating & Drinking
The Terrace
- The Terrace serves a range of hot drinks, quality coffee and cakes/snacks.
- Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
- Opening hours are 9.30am – 4.30pm Tuesday – Friday and 10am – 4.30pm Saturday – Sunday. Last orders 30 minutes before closing.
- Payment via card or mobile device only please, no cash will be accepted.
Modern Life Cafe
Due to a private event, the Modern Life Café will be closed tomorrow at 2.30pm, the last order from the counter will be at 2pm.
- Our restaurant is open 9am-5pm Tuesday – Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday – Sunday. Last orders 15 minutes before closing.
- Our menu includes morning pastries, daily-changing soup, toasted sourdough, salad bowls, hot main course lunches and outstanding patisserie, all made in-house. Children can pick up a Picnic Box filled with a sandwich of their choice alongside a snack, fruit and a carton of juice.
- Payment via card or mobile device only please, no cash will be accepted.
View menus and find out more information here
The Terrace
Contact: L.Szucsko@uea.ac.uk
Modern Life Cafe
Contact: 01603 592474
Event enquiries:
L.Szucsko@uea.ac.uk
01603 593202
Groups & schools
Groups
We welcome group visits. If you are hoping to bring a group of more than 10 people, please submit a Group Booking Enquiry form. If you have any questions about visiting as a group, please contact scva@uea.ac.uk.
Schools
Find information about booking for student groups in Learning.
Groups
Contact: scva@uea.ac.uk
Schools
Contact: scvagroupvisits@uea.ac.uk
Families
We provide a wide range of everyday activities for families at the Sainsbury Centre, as well as a busy programme of fun family events.
There are also baby-changing facilities at the Centre as well as cloakrooms where buggies can be left for the duration of your visit. If visiting an exhibition, please note that wheeled toys are not permitted inside the galleries.
Buggies and pushchairs
Buggies are welcome and usable throughout the building – with lifts to access the lower galleries 1, 2 and 3 and west mezzanine.
Baby changing areas
Baby changing facilities are located in the toilets near the Modern Life Cafe.
Breastfeeding
You can breastfeed wherever you feel comfortable. If you’d like privacy head to the baby changing facilities which are located in the toilets near the Modern Life Cafe. Alternatively speak to a member of our Security team who will be able to find a private spot for you.
Drinking water
Drinking water is freely available from either of the two cafes.
Children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times, both in the Centre and its environs.
Contact: scva@uea.ac.uk
01603 593199
Access
We believe that all people have a right to engage with, use and enjoy the Sainsbury Centre. We are committed to ensuring that all our staff, along with the building, its collections, exhibitions, marketing and learning programmes, are welcoming and as accessible as possible. You can read our full Access Policy here.
Mezzanine Gallery
The Mezzanine Gallery is fully accessible. Please note that visitors in wheelchairs or with accessibility needs can use the emergency lift in the event of a fire, with the help of our friendly Gallery Assistants or Invigilators.
For more information on Access, please click the ‘Read More’ button below.
Accessible car parking
Four disabled parking spaces are located within a short walk of the building. what3words: ///cape.spends.cowboy and ///watch.motor.shot
Click the map to see a bigger version
Parking map Sainsbury Centre
Accessible facilities
There is a Changing Places toilet less than 5 minutes away from the Centre in the UEA Science Building, one of our Visitor Services team will be happy to direct you. This is specifically designed for those with complex physical and learning disabilities, providing the right equipment, more space and a safe and clean environment.
This is open Monday to Friday, 8am – 8pm. Visitors wanting to use the facility at the weekend will need to collect and return the access card from our gallery reception. Find out more about the facility here or about the Changing Places campaign here.
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters
Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed from museum information desks on the day of your visit. Class 2 powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters are welcome in the building, however due to space restrictions we cannot accommodate Class 3 vehicles.
Can I bring my dog?
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are permitted in all galleries. For more information, ask a member of staff – water bowls are available outside our main entrance. Non-assistance dogs are not allowed inside the building.
Carers/Companions
Free complimentary tickets are available to carers/companions. Select the appropriate option when booking online or by call us on our booking line Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Blind and visually impaired visitors
We usually offer the below services but have had to temporarily place some limits on this to ensure the safety of our customers, staff and volunteers. These are under constant review so please contact us if these would be of use to you and we will let you know what options are currently available.
- Large print guides
The Sainsbury Centre produces large print guides for all special exhibitions – please ask at our information desk for a copy. These are also available in a digital format on the dedicated exhibitions pages on our website.
- A selection of our volunteers are trained to deliver VocalEyes audio described tours of our collections – please contact us if you wish to arrange an audio described visit.
Sensory backpacks
Sensory backpacks are available on request from the Main Reception Desk. Each backpack includes a range of tools to help those who require a little extra sensory support to access our gallery spaces. Contents include:
- Toy Hippo, Llama or Sea Otter
- Ear defenders
- Dark glasses
- Massage and sensory tools
- Sand timers
- Fidgets
- Communication cards
Do you have an induction loop?
No, but we are reviewing all areas of accessibility within the Centre.
Lifts
There are two lifts:
- A platform lift at Gallery Reception to access the lower galleries, 1, 2 and 3
- A service lift to access the west Mezzanine Gallery
The platform lift capacity allows up to 2 wheelchairs with occupants and two accompanying people/carers. The lift opening is 110cm wide.
The Service lift allows one small manual wheelchair only.
Wheelchair access to the Mezzanine Gallery
Contact: scva@uea.ac.uk
01603 593199
Filming & photography
Can I take photos inside the building?
We permit photography and filming of yourself, friends, family during your visit, as well as displayed objects in most parts of the museum, using hand-held cameras and phones. Please do not touch objects, plinths or cases while taking photographs or film.
Social media We encourage you to share your personal experience of your visit to the Sainsbury Centre. This may include publishing images on social media platforms. Please remember that you are responsible for making sure that any use you and others make of your images or film on those platforms is consistent with the terms and conditions of use set out here. If you do share images and film online please mention the Sainsbury Centre as the source. For academic purposes, University of East Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts’ students – please contact SCVA@uea.ac.uk.
READ MOREREAD LESSWe ask that you:
Contact: scva@uea.ac.uk
01603 593199