Accessible Greenwich Old Royal Naval College
Accessibility :
Step-Free Access to all Public Areas,
Wheelchair Accessible Toilets,
Wheelchair Accessible Cafe & Restaurant
More....
For details of other wheelchair accessible attractions, step-free DIY Walking Tours, plus the best accessible hotels in London, see the Accessible London Guide
There are four parts of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich which are open to the public. And to different degrees, all four parts are wheelchair accessible:
The Visitor Centre; the Painted Hall; the Chapel of St Peter & St Paul; and The Old Brewery.
The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College is often referred to as “Britain’s Sistine Chapel” – thanks to the amazing painted ceiling.
Quite a bit cooler, and a lot less crowded, than its counterpart in Rome though.
But it’s the accessibility of the entire Old Royal Naval College which is the real star.
You see, the Old Royal Naval College was built between 1696 and 1712. It’s also a Grade 1 listed building. And old buildings and accessibility can be problematic when they come together.
Happily, this is NOT the case at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich though.
Just like St.Paul’s Cathedral in central London (also designed by Sir Christopher Wren), the Old Royal Naval College’s age and listed status have not been used as excuses for not making the building accessible to all visitors.
Visiting the accessible Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich
There are two things that are really important to know before you plan a visit to the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich:
1. The London Docklands DIY Walking Tour route actually passes right by the Old Royal Naval College.
2. With over 1.2 million visitors each year, and with only so many visitors being permitted at any one time, tickets to visit the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich are rather popular. If there is space on the day, then buying your ticket when you get there will be possible.
However, should there be no spaces available, then you will be out of luck. So if you do want to ensure that your entry is assured, then I would definitely recommend that you buy your timed ticket in advance >here<.
Accessible Parking at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich
Two accessible car parking bays are available in the Park Row car park, opposite the East Gate entrance to the Old Royal Naval College.
Parking here is free for Blue Badge holders.
Getting to the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich using Public Transport
Tube (Underground).
From central London, it is quickest and easiest to get to the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich by Tube/DLR.
And although all options arrive at Cutty Sark station, you have the choice of three different starting points in central London. One option is direct, the other two require changing trains once though, so the best route will really just depend on the location of your central London hotel:
Option 1 (direct): Take any DLR train from Bank DLR Station directly to Cutty Sark DLR Station (the direct journey takes just 20 minutes);
Option 2 (all DLR – but with one change): Take any DLR train from Tower Gateway DLR Station to Westferry DLR Station, and change there for a separate DLR train to Cutty Sark DLR Station;
Option 3 (Jubilee Line, then DLR): Take any eastbound Jubilee Line tube train from any Jubilee Line station east of Green Park Tube Station to Canary Wharf Tube Station, and then change onto the DLR, and take a DLR train from there to Cutty Sark DLR Station.
All Jubilee Line stations east of Green Park Tube Station are wheelchair accessible, as are all DLR trains & stations.
Bus.
There is no direct bus between central London and Greenwich. And as you would have to change numerous times, and as the journey time is so long, I definitely don’t recommend taking the bus there.
My recommendation though?
Walk (or roll)!
The extended route of the London Docklands DIY Walking Tour passes immediately in front of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. And if you’re following the route in a clockwise direction [recommended], then you will arrive at the quieter East Gate entrance to the Old Royal Naval College on Park Row. So, combining a visit to the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich while you’re passing makes your visit so easy.
Accessible Entrance to the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich
There are numerous entrances to the Old Royal Naval College, and all are accessible. All entrances are shown on the Old Royal Naval College’s Accessibility Map.
Accessible Toilets at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich
You have three different options for accessible toilets at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich:
1. There is a separate accessible toilet in the Visitor Centre. However, to use the toilets here, you will need to by a Discover Greenwich ticket (currently £3, but this ticket is included in your General Admission ticket anyway);
2. There is also an accessible toilet located beneath the Painted Hall (by King William Undercroft);
3. And finally, the toilets in The Old Brewery are accessible too.
Unfortunately, the toilets below the Chapel (by St. Mary Undercroft) are not step-free (they are reached via a spiral staircase). In emergencies, staff will lead you to another entrance, but even here there are two steps to negotiate.
Accessible Cafe/Restaurant at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich
You now have three accessible options to eat and drink at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich:
1. The newly-opened Cafe in the Visitor Centre. The ideal spot to have a hot or cold drink, and a snack, while you wait for the next tour to start.
2. The Cafe below the Painted Hall is located on the ground floor (it can be accessed from the upper/Painted Hall level using a platform lift). Drinks & snacks are available here;
3. For something more substantial to eat, you will have to head to The Old Brewery (by the Visitor Centre), either at the indoor Dining Room restaurant, or at the Garden Bar and Outside Terrace (paved) for some traditional English pub grub.
This accessibility information has been verified using various trusted information sources (disclaimer).
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For details of other accessible visitor attractions, accessible events, and accessible eating and drinking options, see The Access Map
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Thank you – and enjoy your accessible visit to Greenwich!