Accessible Southbank Centre London
Accessibility :
Step-Free Access,
Wheelchair Accessible Throughout,
Wheelchair Accessible Lifts,
Wheelchair Accessible Toilets,
Changing Places Toilet,
Wheelchair Accessible Cafes,
Wheelchair Accessible Restaurant
More....
For details of other wheelchair accessible attractions, accessible events, and wheelchair-friendly eating and drinking options throughout the UK, see The Access Map 2024
Accessible Southbank Centre in London
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.
In fact, all buildings in the Southbank Centre are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible lifts will take you between floors where required.
Accessible Parking at the Southbank Centre in London
There are four Blue Badge parking spaces on the Queen Elizabeth Hall slip road off Belvedere Road (the road between the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward Gallery). Spaces are allocated on a “first-come, first-served” basis, and use of them is free. You are required to display your Blue Badge as you enter the site.
Alternative parking for Blue Badge holders is available in the nearby National Theatre car park (just 330 metres away). Please note: there is no step-free access from this car park on Sundays (the lift between the National Theatre car park and the main foyer is open from 10am, Monday to Saturday only).
Further alternative parking for Blue Badge holders, which is step-free every day of the week, is available in the APCOA Cornwall Road Car Park. Take your badge and car park ticket to the parking attendant office at the car park entrance for validation before you leave.
Drop-off Point:
Blue Badge holders/and others with access requirements can be dropped off on the Queen Elizabeth Hall slip road off Belvedere Road (the road between the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward Gallery).
Getting to the Southbank Centre in London using Public Transport
Tube (Underground):
The nearest completely step-free Tube station is “Waterloo” (but only if arriving on the Jubilee Line).
Bus:
A number of different buses run near the Southbank Centre. 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 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 Southbank Centre, 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 Southbank Centre.
All London taxis are equipped with a retractable ramp.
My recommendation though?
Get there on foot/by wheelchair!
The riverside footpath (Queen’s Walk – part of the Thames Path as it passes through central London) is, without question, THE best walking route in central London. And because it is level (although there are a couple of detours which make it completely step-free), it is very wheelchair accessible.
This walk (the London Thames DIY Walking Tour) includes completely wheelchair accessible visits to: Westminster Abbey > the Houses of Parliament (and Big Ben) > the London Eye > the Southbank Centre > Tate Modern > a wee sidetrip across the Millennium Bridge to St.Paul’s Cathedral and back > Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre > The View From The Shard > HMS Belfast > Tower Bridge > and finally the Tower of London.
Access - Entrance to the Southbank Centre in London
For step-free access to the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer and the Purcell Room, take the Royal Festival Hall JCB glass lift to Level 2 and enter via Riverside Terrace.<br><br>
For step-free access to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating row A, and all wheelchair spaces, enter via the Artist Entrance (in the Queen Elizabeth Hall slip road – Level 1).<br><br>
For lift access to the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden, use the Roof Garden Lift on the Queen Elizabeth Hall slip road (Level 1).<br><br>
For level access to the Hayward Gallery from the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road, use the car park lift to the Hayward Gallery Foyer. All floors are then accessible from the main foyer.
Accessible Toilets at the Southbank Centre in London
Wheelchair accessible toilets are available on every floor of the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and in the Hayward Gallery foyer.
A Changing Places toilet can be found on Level 1 of the Royal Festival Hall (next to the JCB glass lift).
Accessible Cafe/Restaurant at the Southbank Centre in London
There are a myriad of eating & drinking options in the Southbank Centre (and many “pop-up” options throughout the year too). And all are wheelchair accessible.
You’ll never go hungry, or thirsty, when visiting the Southbank Centre in your wheelchair.
More....
For details of other accessible visitor attractions, accessible events, and accessible eating and drinking options, see The Access Map 2024
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Thank you – and happy travels!
London Southbank Centre News
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