Accessible National Gallery London
Accessibility :
Step-Free Access via Sainsbury Wing entrance,
Wheelchair Accessible Throughout,
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts,
Wheelchair Accessible Toilets,
Changing Places Toilet,
Official Guided Tours are Accessible,
Wheelchair Accessible Café,
Wheelchair Accessible Gift Shop
More....
For details of other wheelchair accessible attractions, accessible events, and wheelchair-friendly eating and drinking options throughout the UK, see The Access Map 2023
Accessible National Gallery in London
There are numerous wheelchair accessible lifts and ramps throughout the National Gallery building, which allow wheelchair access to 100% of the Gallery.
A free 1-hour and step-free tour of the collection meets every day at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm every day (starting from the Sainsbury Wing Information Desk).
The audioguide features almost all major works of art (the audioguide languages are English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Russian, Chinese [Mandarin], Korean and Japanese).
Accessible Parking at the National Gallery in London
The National Gallery in central London has one designated accessible parking space available to Blue Badge holders (on Orange Street). This accessible parking space is for the use of National Gallery visitors only.
To reserve the accessible car parking space though, 48 hours advance booking is required (call the National Gallery on +44[0]20 7747 2885).
There are also three designated accessible parking bays on nearby St Martin’s Street. For more information on these parking spaces, you should call Westminster Parking Information Service (+44[0]20 7823 4567).
Getting to the National Gallery in London using Public Transport
Tube (Underground):
The nearest Tube station which is completely step-free is Westminster (District, Circle & Jubilee Lines). This will also involve an 800m trundle along Whitehall too though – and it is slightly uphill. But you can also take buses 12, 24, 88 or 453 from here (or even a taxi – all London taxis are equipped with a retractable wheelchair ramp) along Whitehall instead if the distance is too far for you.
Bus:
A number of different buses run past, or near, the National Gallery. And all buses in central London are wheelchair accessible – and are equipped with a retractable ramp (automatically controlled by the bus driver).
Bus travel is also free for wheelchair users (your companion still has to pay the correct fare though). I recommend that you use the official TfL Journey Planner to find the best route for yourself.
Taxi:
By far the easiest way to arrive at the National Gallery in a wheelchair, and by using public transport, is in one of London’s famous black cabs (taxis). It’s also the most expensive way to reach the National Gallery (but is so worth it in my opinion).
All London taxis are equipped with a retractable ramp.
My recommendation though:
Travel to the National Gallery on foot/by wheelchair!
The National Gallery is just one of the stops on the circular London West End DIY Walking Tour (it runs in a circuit between Buckingham Palace > Green Park > Piccadilly Circus > Leicester Square > Trafalgar Square (and the National Gallery) > Whitehall > Downing Street > Houses of Parliament (and Big Ben) > Westminster Abbey > St.James’s Park, and finally returning to Buckingham Palace again.
And, because it’s a circular route, you can start/finish at any point along the route – and still see everything.
You could dash around the whole circuit in under 2 hours, but I’d leave a whole day to cover this DIY walking route – as there are just so many places to visit/stop and look at.
Access - Entrance to the National Gallery in London
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 to the National Gallery 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 though(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).
Accessible Toilets at the National Gallery in London
Wheelchair accessible toilets are located near all entrances to the National Gallery.
There is now also a “Changing Places” toilet facility in the National Gallery. Located in the Pigott Education Centre (which can be accessed from the Rembrandt room on Level 2 – Gallery 18). A RADAR key is required to access this facility – if you don’t have one with you though, RADAR keys are available to borrow from the Information desks, and the School’s Desk in the Pigott Education Centre.
Accessible Cafe/Restaurant at the National Gallery in London
Food and drink is available from the National Gallery’s Ochre restaurant, plus Muriel’s Kitchen and the Espresso Bar by Muriel’s cafés.
More....
For details of other accessible visitor attractions, accessible events, and accessible eating and drinking options, see The Access Map 2023
If this information has assisted you in any way, please consider making a donation here –>>
Thank you – and happy travels!
National Gallery, London News
Get the latest accessibility news from the National Gallery, London, on their Facebook, Twitter and YouTube social media channels.