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.

Arrival By Car

There is NO parking at Westminster Abbey (never mind just Blue Badge/accessible parking). There is also no on-street parking in the surrounding streets.

There are 5 Blue Badge spaces in the APCOA London Victoria Station car park though (normal tariffs apply). But this then also involves a 1km walk along level city streets between London Victoria train station and Westminster Abbey.

Car/taxi passengers can be dropped off immediately in front of Westminster Abbey though (in “The Sanctuary”).

Arrival By Public Transport

Train:

The nearest major train stations are London Victoria, and London Waterloo. Both are around 1km from Westminster Abbey though (but on level city streets – and, in the case of London Waterloo, via the level Westminster Bridge – which has great views of the London Eye, and also of the Houses of Parliament & Big Ben).

Tube (Underground):

The nearest tube stations to Westminster Abbey are also “Westminster” (500m) and “Waterloo” (1km) – but only if arriving on the Jubilee Line. The tube station at “Victoria” (1km) is also an option – but only if arriving on the Victoria Line though.

Bus:

A number of different buses run near Westminster Abbey. 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 Westminster Abbey in your wheelchair though, and by using public transport, is in one of London’s famous black cabs (taxis). It’s also the most expensive way to reach Westminster Abbey (but is so worth it in my opinion – as taxis can drop off passengers directly outside Westminster Abbey on “The Sanctuary”). All London taxis are equipped with a retractable ramp.

My recommendation though:

Get there on foot/by wheelchair!

Westminster Abbey 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.

And because it’s a circular route, you can start/finish at any point along the route – and still see everything. Which means that you have way more accessiblr transport options.

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.

Entrance – Access

Wheelchair users visiting Westminster Abbey should enter through the North Door where there is a small ramped step.

Entry is free to Westminster Abbey for wheelchair users AND their companions.

Building Accessibility

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).

Wheelchair Accessible Toilets

Wheelchair accessible toilets at Westminster Abbey are located in the Cloisters.

Wheelchair Accessible Cafe/Restaurant

A lift will take wheelchair users down to the Cellarium Cafe – and up to the first floor dining area, where there is also level access to a small outside terrace.

Photo credit: Facade of Westminster Abbey, near the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, in central London, by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

See the Wheelchair Accessible London Guide for details of other wheelchair accessible attractions, restaurants and hotels in central London.