The Ultimate Guide To Accessible London

Accessible Public Transport

Getting around London in your wheelchair using accessible Underground, bus or taxi

Accessible Attractions

The accessible facilities available at the most popular attractions in London

DIY Walking Tours For All

Accessible DIY Walking Tours in London

The Most-Popular Accessible Attractions in London

#1. Accessible British Museum London

Step-Free Access
Accessible Lifts
Accessible Food & Drink
Accessible Toilets

There are two entrances to the British Museum – and both of these entrances are wheelchair accessible (both entrances have lifts which bypass the stairs at each). The main entrance to the British Museum, at Great Russell Street has two lifts (one on either side of the main steps to the entrance). The other (much quieter) entrance is at Montague Place (at the rear of the British Museum building). There is only one lift here, but as this is a much quieter entrance, I would recommend accessing the British Museum from here.

>> Full details of the accessible British Museum in London <<

#2. Accessible London Eye

Carers Ticket is Free
Step-Free Access
Assisted Boarding Available
Accessible Toilets

A step-free route from Westminster Bridge to the London Eye is possible – but involves a bit of a detour. The direct route from Westminster Bridge onto the riverside walkway involves descending a flight of steps. However, wheelchair users should continue south along Westminster Bridge Road, and turn left into Belvedere Road, turning left again at the end of the County Hall building. The London Eye will then be directly in front of you (and the London Eye Ticket Office, where the accessible toilets are located, and where you also sign-in for your pre-booked “flight” on the London Eye, will be on your left).

>> Full details of the accessible London Eye <<

#3. Accessible National Gallery London

Accessible Throughout
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts
Accessible Toilets
Accessible Café

Although entrance to the general collection of National Gallery is free, it is currently ticketed (to help the National Gallery manage the number of people in the Gallery at any one time, and to limit any queuing). Therefore, all visits must be booked in advance online for the time being. Wheelchair using visitors should call +44 (0)20 7747 2885.

Disabled visitors are eligible for a discount for special exhibition tickets at the National Gallery (and may bring a companion free of charge).

Four National Gallery entrances now have level access: the entrances at the Getty, the Sainsbury Wing, National Café and the Pigott Education Centre. The main Portico entrance is not accessible (steps lead up to the entrance here).

A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available to borrow – on a “first come, first served” basis. These are available at the Sainsbury Wing cloakroom on Level 0 (and also at the Getty Entrance on Level 0).

>> Full details of the accessible National Gallery in London <<

#4. Accessible Natural History Museum London

Accessible Throughout
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts
Accessible Toilets
Accessible Café

There are two entrances to the Natural History Museum: the main entrance on Cromwell Road, and another on Exhibition Road. And both entrances have step-free access.

All disabled users, AND their accompanying family members and personal carers can skip the queues to enter the Natural History Museum. On arrival, simply approach a member of staff at an entrance for assistance.

Admission is free – but a donation is requested (the Natural History Museum is a charity which relies on your support).

To regulate visitor numbers, you MUST book a free ticket online before your visit though (specifying a specific timed slot for your arrival).

Wheelchairs are available to borrow from the cloakrooms at both of the Natural History Museum’s entrances.

>> Full details of the accessible Natural History Museum in London <<

#5. Accessible Tower Bridge London

Step-Free Access
Accessible Lifts in both Towers
Accessible Glass Floor Walkway
Accessible Toilets

Enjoy a birdseye views of Central London from the wheelchair accessible West Walkway of Tower Bridge, and marvel at the experience of seeing the River Thames, and any boats passing below the bridge, through the Glass Floor.

Tower Bridge has two parts to the visit – Tower Bridge itself and the Victorian Engine Rooms. Your visit can commence at either entrance – and both are step-free.

The main ticket office at Tower Bridge is located at the NORTH Tower. The Engine Rooms are located on the southern bank of the River Thames where it meets Tower Bridge.

>> Full details of the accessible Tower Bridge in London <<

#6. Accessible Westminster Abbey London

Step-Free Access
Limited Wheelchair Accessibility
Accessible Toilet

Although the main building of Westminster Abbey in central London is wheelchair accessible, many of the side-rooms have stepped access. There is a step-free route into the Cloisters (using the Dean’s Yard entrance – which is NOT the route of the official guided tour, so wheelchair-users are advised to complete their visit of the interior of Westminster Abbey before visiting the Westminster Abbey Cloisters).

To compensate for this limited access perhaps, entry is free to Westminster Abbey for wheelchair users AND their companions. A visit to Westminster Abbey is most-definitely recommended for wheelchair users when visiting central London.

NEWS: Thanks to the beautiful new step-free West Door access at Westminster Abbey, which now makes Westminster Abbey so much more accessible to the thousands of worshipers and visitors who visit every year, and the first significant change to Westminster Abbey in 25 years, the Abbey is now much more inclusive.

>> Full details of the accessible Westminster Abbey in London <<

#7. Accessible Buckingham Palace London

Public Access (Only Part of Summer)
Step-Free Access
Accessible Toilet

Buckingham Palace in London is only open to the public for 10 weeks during the Summer, when the Royal Family are not in residence (and also on selected dates during Winter and Spring too).

Tickets sell fast though, so I would advise booking as soon as possible.

A discounted rate is available for wheelchair users (and one accompanying companion will be admitted free of charge too). But you must book these special tickets directly with the Specialist Sales team at Buckingham Palace (phone: +44 (0)303 123 7324 7324 or email specialistsales@rct.uk).

A motorised buggy & trailer carries wheelchairs (and the wheelchair users too of course) across the gravel to the start of the Access Route Tour of Buckingham Palace, and again at the end of the tour to take wheelchair users to the foot of the steps leading into the Buckingham Palace garden.

And although the interior of Buckingham Palace is 100% accessible, some of the carpets within the Palace are quite deep.

Allow 2-3 hours for a tour of Buckingham Palace. Plus an additional 30 mins to get there, if you are arriving by tube at Green Park station.

>> Full details of accessible Buckingham Palace in London <<

#8. Accessible St.Paul's Cathedral London

Step-Free Access
Limited Wheelchair Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts
Accessible Toilet

Public visits Monday-Saturday Only.

Entry to St.Paul’s Cathedral in central London is free for wheelchair users and one assistant (although a small donation will be greatly received – the upkeep of St.Paul’s Cathedral is reliant on visitors’ donations – and as there have been no visitors for the last few years, donations are needed now more than ever).

There is a newly-built (2022) permanent accessible entrance on the north side of the Cathedral, providing inclusive access for visitors, staff and volunteers. The construction, the most significant external change to St.Paul’s Cathedral in its 300 year history, consisted of building two symmetrical ramps either side of a central staircase to the north transept door (in keeping with the style of this magnificent building).

In the interior of St.Paul’s Cathedral, both the quire and sacrarium on the Cathedral floor have a small user-operated chairlift.

Access to the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery is by stairs though. However, a “flythrough” video shows you the view from the Galleries.

But worry not. There is a wee alternative way of seeing St.Paul’s Cathedral from on high.

>> Full details of the accessible St.Paul's Cathedral in London <<

#9. Accessible Houses of Parliament London

Step-Free Access
Accessible Guided Tours
Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
Accessible Jubilee Café

Entry to the Houses of Parliament is a two-step affair (unless you have bought your ticket online and printed it at home or bought it by telephone: +44(0)20 7219 4114).

First, you have to buy your ticket from the Ticket Office at Portcullis House (on the side facing the river Thames). Access to the Ticket Office is via a very gentle slope, and the floor is level inside. One companion is given a free ticket.

After obtaining your tickets, you then have to enter the Houses of Parliament via the Cromwell Green entrance on St. Margaret Street. A downward sloping ramp here, leads you to the entrance (where you will undergo an “airport-style” security check).

>> Full details of the accessible Houses of Parliament in London <<

#10. Accessible The View From The Shard London

Carers Ticket is Free
Step-Free Access
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts
Accessible Toilets

The entire The View From The Shard journey from street-level to the very top (over 800ft above central London) is fully wheelchair accessible.

And is done in a series of lifts: The first lift will take you from street-level up to the booking office on Level 1 of The Shard. This bypasses the flight of 15 steps used to reach the main booking hall. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet at the booking office on Level 1 of The Shard on Level 1 (as well as one at the top – well, on Level 68).

A second lift, which is also fully wheelchair accessible, travels up to Floor 33 (in just 30 seconds), where you transfer to yet another fully wheelchair accessible lift which continues to Floor 68.

The View From The Shard‘s famous “loo with a view” is found here too (there is also a wheelchair accessible toilet here).

Yet another lift, but one for use by wheelchair users only (and their companions too of course), takes you up to the main indoor viewing platform on Floor 69.

The same small lift also takes wheelchair users (and companions) only, up to the outdoor Skydeck viewing area on Floor 72.

One common gripe is that there is insufficient seating on the viewing platforms. This is not an issue for those of us who take our chairs with us everywhere anyway. But it might be an issue for wheelchair pushers (although foldable chairs are available on request should you require a seat during your visit – just ask one of the staff “Guest Ambassadors”).

Entrace to The View From The Shard is free for carers (documentary proof of your disability is required though). The free carers ticket can be obtained in the Booking Hall (and does not have to be booked in advance).

The wheelchair user’s ticket has to be booked in advance though (so that your timed slot is guaranteed).

>> Full details of the accessible The View From The Shard in London <<

#11. Accessible Madame Tussauds London

Only ONE wheelchair admitted each hour
Advance Booking HIGHLY Recommended
Accessible Lifts
Accessible Toilets

The queues at Madame Tussauds London can be long. Especially during school holidays, and on weekends. So wheelchair users should head for the priority Fast Track queue.

The Madame Tussauds London building was built in 1884. Long before wheelchair accessibility was even a thing.

It’s a well-packed and very busy place too (although from 3pm onwards is slightly quieter for wheelchair users at Madame Tussauds London).

As a result, and although the Madame Tussauds London building is totally wheelchair accessible thanks to various lifts between all floors, only three wheelchairs are permitted in the building at any one time (so that Madame Tussauds London staff can provide evacuation assistance to wheelchair using guests). To help them achieve this limit, only ONE wheelchair using guest can enter the Madame Tussauds London building every hour, on the hour.

This is why you should definitely definitely definitely book your wheelchair slot at Madame Tussauds London online in advance (IMPORTANT: this only reserves a time-slot – you will still also have to purchase ONE ticket for yourself).

One carer over the age of 14 is admitted free of charge (documentary proof of your disability is required).

>> Full details of the accessible Madame Tussauds in London <<

#12. Accessible HMS Belfast London

Limited Wheelchair Accessibility
Accessible Lift
Accessible Toilet
Accessible Food/Drink

HMS Belfast was a working warship.

Therefore, the numerous ladders, steps and narrow passages mean that most of the attraction is NOT accessible to wheelchairs. However, the Main Deck and Boat Deck are – and a wheelchair-accessible lift makes the Quarterdeck accessible too.

However, unless you are REALLY interested in visiting HMS Belfast, I would just view it for free from the dockside (from the Queen’s Walk – what the Thames Path is called as it passes through central London on the south bank of the River Thames). This part of the Thames Path between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge is one of THE best step-free walks in central London (and includes the London Eye, the Golden Jubilee Bridges, the Southbank Centre – including the Royal Festival Hall, Tate Modern, a side-trip to St.Paul’s Cathedral via the Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, the Golden Hinde, The View From The Shard, HMS Belfast, City Hall, Tower Bridge & the Tower of London).

>> Full details of the accessible HMS Belfast in London <<

#13. Accessible Shakespeare's Globe Theatre London

Step-Free Access
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts
Accessible Toilets
Accessible Food/Drink

All public areas in Shakespeares’s Globe are wheelchair accessible.

Both the main Globe Theatre, and the smaller Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, are wheelchair accessible too.

A wheelchair accessible lift will take you down to the exhibition space on the lower level.

The official Guided Tours of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre are also fully wheelchair accessible (but remember: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is an open-air theatre – so dress for the weather).

There are also dedicated wheelchair spaces if you will be watching a performance.

>> Full details of the accessible Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London <<

#14. Accessible Southbank Centre London

Step-Free Access
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts
Accessible Toilets
Accessible Cafes & Restaurant

The Southbank Centre in central London is comprised of the Queen Elizabeth Hall & the Purcell Room, the Royal Festival Hall, and the Hayward Gallery – all of which are accessible.

All buildings in the Southbank Centre are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible lifts will take you between floors where required.

>> Full details of the accessible Southbank Centre in London <<

#15. Accessible Tate Modern London

Step-Free Access
Accessible Toilet
Changing Places Toilet
RADAR Key Operated Lifts

Entry to the Tate Modern is via the Turbine Hall ramp. Visitors to the Tate Modern who have access needs may also use the South entrance of the Blavatnik Building (via Park Street).

Entry to the general collection of the Tate Modern art gallery in London is free for everyone, but ticketed. And although advance booking is recommended to book these tickets, some tickets are often available on the door.

Entry to special Exhibitions is paid though, and requires a timed ticket (which you can buy online from the Tate Modern’s website), but visitors with a disability pay a reduced rate, and entrance for their companions is free

>> Full details of the accessible Tate Modern in London <<

#16. Accessible ZSL London Zoo

Step-Free Access
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts
Accessible Toilets
Accessible Café

ZSL London Zoo is over 170 years old – so contains many older buildings (12 of which are listed). Even so, most of the Zoo is accessible to wheelchair users (and to visitors with walking difficulties).

The paths throughout ZSL London Zoo are generally tarmac (or hard-packed gravel, and a few wooden boardwalks). The paths are generally quite wide. And there is level or ramped access to most buildings.

Land of the Lions is wheelchair friendly and has a wheelchair accessible lift which allows visitors to access the higher viewing platform.

Tiger Territory is also wheelchair friendly. And there is also a wheelchair accessible lift here which also allows visitors to access the higher viewing platform.

The historic Lubetkin penguin pool (Grade 1 listed) has limited viewing for wheelchair users and very small children though.

The sloped ramps leading to the two tunnels in the Zoo are quite steep (and you might need a companion to help you push up the ramps on either side of the tunnels).

>> Full details of the accessible ZSL London Zoo <<

#17. Accessible Greenwich Cable Car London

Step-Free Access
Accessible Ticket Office
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts
Accessible Gondolas

The Greenwich Cable Car in London (known informally as The Dangleway) is fully wheelchair accessible.

Tickets can be bought beforehand, or from the ticket offices before you board – ticket machines are available, but to obtain a free ticket for your carer, I definitely recommend buying your ticket directly from the Ticket Office/Ticket Counter.

As the Greenwich Cable Car is actually an integrated part of the London public transport system, ticket prices are very reasonable.

The actual journey across the River Thames here takes around 10 minutes.

>> Full details of the accessible Greenwich Cable Car in London <<

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Thank you so very much – and have a great time in London!