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Wheelchair-friendly places in central London?

MonkeysAhoy!

Posted by MonkeysAhoy! over 3 years ago
Last active over 3 years ago 6 responses

I find myself possibly on the receiving end of playing general host and guide to a group of American visitors this summer (ugh, Americans). Students, to boot (ugh, students). One of them is in a motorized wheelchair, and their group leader has been asking me about how accomodating central London will be to the wheelchair.

I’ve been able to talk about the transport (buses/cabs good, tubes bad) but realize I don’t know much about places to visit or eat/drink in, when it comes to wheelchairs. Does anyone have any experience or tips about wheelchair-friendly or wheelchair-unfriendly places in central London? I believe the group will be goggle-eyed first time visitors here, so the obvious places of interest will probably rank high.

Thanks muchly.

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6 responses

Mockernee

Not all tubes are bad, the Jubilee Line has lifts and wheelchair access at every zones 1 and 2 station I think. The Tate Modern and the South Bank aren’t so bad, I’ve pushed a (non-motorised) chair around there happily enough.

Posted over 3 years ago by Mockernee

Floatykatja

I don’t know about motorised wheelchairs (which are generally quite bulky), but my cousin is a standard wheelchair-user and gets up to far more interesting things than I do. I’ve certainly been to the Albert Hall and various theatres with her. Actually, I know the Albert Hall is accessible for motorised wheelchairs as well, as she was with a friend who uses one when we went there. If you’re unsure, I’d recommend ringing the venue ahead of time to find out about the wheelchair access, but most public places have to be pretty wheelchair-friendly nowadays.

Oh, this site might be helpful.

Posted over 3 years ago by Floatykatja

cutta

This might be useful: na.visitlondon.com/city_guide/accessible_london/

Posted over 3 years ago by cutta

ZoZo

Here’s another site which might help. Not sure how useful it is, as I think it’s quite new. But the more links the merrier, I always think.

www.directenquiries.com

Good luck!

Posted over 3 years ago by ZoZo

Hillary

Well…as an American, I’m not sure about giving advice to an American-basher, but since they are going to be American Students, that’s another matter altogether. I think the British Museum is a great one, I’m pretty sure there are elevators in there and the main floors are pretty open for getting around in a chair. Also, the London Eye is accommodating to chairs, and that is an excellent thing for a first-time visitor. My brother is paraplegic so I’m always on the look-out for accessible places, but they do seem to be few and far between.

Posted over 3 years ago by Hillary

andy005

I had a very good pub crawl last year around the south Blackfriars bridge area looking for pubs and restaurants with disabled loos. If you be a bit more specific about your planned itinary then it would help.

Posted over 3 years ago by andy005