Places of Interest
We include a small selection from the write-ups on the major sights in the guidebook, principally to illustrate the kind of information included in the 2003 guide.
British Museum
Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG
Tel: 020 7323-8000 info: 020 7323-8299 Textphone: 020 7323-8920.
website: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
e-mail: information@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
One of the largest museums in the world, approximately 200m square on three main floors. It houses the national collection of archaelogical remains which covers two million years of world history. A central feature is the Great Court, now covered over with a glass roof and incorporating the old Reading Room of the British Library. There are nearly 100 galleries, and some 4km of walking to see all the exhibits. Almost all the museum now has step free access via the various lifts, and where there seems to be a problem, ask one of the staff, who are generally helpful.
Parking for up to four BB holders can be arranged in advance (Tel: 020 7323-8288). The spaces are in museum forecourt off Great Russell Street near the open lift mentioned below. There are plans of the different floors in the museum in the back of the Visit Guide (for which there is a small charge). You can also print the plans from the website. There is a leaflet for disabled visitors available at the information desk. To make the best use of a visit, you'd do well to get hold of these before coming, and choose which parts of the museum to have a look at. Alternatively, join one of the excellent guided tours that take place regularly, three times a day or take an audio tour.
The main museum entrance from Great Russell Street has +12 steps, bypassed by a well hidden open lift (W115 L200) to the left. If that lift is not operational, staff can take you to an another entrance about 40m away to the left, giving access to an inside lift from the basement level. The alternative entrance in Montague Place, has flat access, but you are dependent on a single lift for getting through to the main part of the museum.
Coming in from Great Russell Street, the first hall is quite gloomy, and then you reach the dazzlingly white Great Court with its four classical porticos. In the centre is the Reading Room, which is very atmospheric, and has step free access. There are also shops, and cafés. To the left, as you come in, is the information desk, and to the right is the box office for special exhibitions and for the audio guides. Also to the left is access to the largest galleries.
There are five main lifts, and four others of importance. All have (D75+ W95+ and L120+), but note that you sometimes come in through one door and go out from another. The main lifts are the two South lifts, off the Great Court, as you come in from the main entrance. The east and west lifts around on either side of the oval shaped central construction, and the North lift which links to Montague Place. They are quite well 'hidden'. In addition the numbering of floor levels is inconsistent. On the four new lifts, the Great Court Main Floor is Level 2, and the Upper Floors are level 6, however, on the old North lift, Great Court level is 0 (with the street entrance at -1) and the Upper Floors are Level 3.
The whole of the GF has step free access, except for gallery 16 (where there are ±17), and there are +3 at either end of gallery 18, although you can see pretty well from the lower level. The upper and lower floors are nearly all step free as well.
There are cafés on the GF of the Great Court, and the Gallery Café by Room 12 (in the south-west corner). This as reached via +12. There is a staff operated lift D90 L130 W130) to bypass these, but no sign at all saying that it is possible. Only about 25% of the Gallery Café is step free, and much of it is on a raised gallery +4. The Court Restaurant on level six at roof level of the Reading Room, and reached by the east or west lifts (or from level 3 of the North lift)..
The various wheelchair toilets (all D70+ ST70+) are not particularly well signed or marked. There are:
two on the GF of Great Court on either side of the oval structure, just before you get to the shops (coming from the main entrance);
two, one on on either side of the oval structure by the east and west lifts at levels 3 and 5;
one by room 5 in the 'special exhibitions' area (not seen);
one by room 12; and,
one on the Clore Education Centre on the lower floor (not seen).
The museum is huge, has limited seating, but is a fascinating place to visit. Wheelchairs are available for use. With the redevelopment, access has improved enormously, but a second platform lift is needed in the forecourt (on the right hand side) - and we found that not all the lifts inside the building were working when we visited.
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ
Tel: 020 7416-5320 Recorded information: 0900-1600140
website: www.iwm.org.uk
A fascinating collection of historical military equipment, with numerous changing exhibitions. It is housed in a building that, more than 150 years ago, was a lunatic asylum. Parking for visitors with disabilities can be arranged. The main entrance is 50m from the road on a tarmac path through Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, and has +9+1+3 steps leading to the GF. These are bypassed by using the West entrance reached by going on the right of the big guns, and then nearly 150m down the right side of the building. This leads to the lower GF/basement. The diagram of the building on your ticket which you get on entering has an isometric diagram showing the main central lifts and the location of the disabled persons toilets. The pair of lifts (D90 W160 L150) by the main staircase in the centre of the building serve all the floors. The is also a lift (D80 W90 L250) by the West entrance which gives access to the picnic room (where there are two wheelchair toilets (D70+ ST70+). There is flat, ramped or lift access to virtually all exhibits on all six floors.
The self-service café and the shop are both step free from the GF. There are wheelchair toilets (all D70+ ST70+), reasonably well marked on the plan, and signed. The museum has gone to considerable lengths to make the building step free via the new lifts, and there are plans to provide an open lift to bypass the steps at the main entrance.
Kew Bridge Steam Museum
Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middx TW8
Tel: 020 8568-4757
website: www.kbsm.org
Housed in a 19thC water pumping station, it has five Cornish beam engines, some of which are 'in steam' at weekends. It's a fascinating place including an exhibition of the importance of water in our lives. CP outside. Flat entrance, and then there is ramped/lift access to a large part of the museum. They have gone to considerable lengths to make it accessible. From the entrance area there is are ramps down into the basement exhibition area. An open lift (D80 W90 L130) bypasses +16 steps to the main floor around some of the engines. The Babcock café is up a steepish ramp, D72cm and then -2 steps with a portable ramp readily available. While there are +5 to see the Bull engine, it is possible to go around the outside of the building and then there are only +2 with a portable ramp. From the main floor there are +17 spiralled steps to an upper gallery. Wheelchair toilet (D70+ ST70+) in the workshops across the CP some 40m from the entrance. It is to the left of the Deisel House Studios, and down a little corridor, just outside the ladies on the left.
The London Eye
British Airways London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road SE1
Tel: 0870 990-8883 Fax: 0870 990-8884 (customer services) Tel: 0870 5000-600 (individual bookings).
website: www.londoneye.com
The huge ferris wheel dominates London's skyline, almost opposite the Houses of Parliament. It has 32 capsules and takes you 450 feet above the river. On a clear day, you get a magnificent view. A 'flight' takes 30 minutes. There's BB parking in Belvedere Road, and spaces in and around the South Bank venues, but you may have to walk/wheel up to about 500m from where you find a space. The site is fully accessible (by ramp), including the ticket office in the corner of County Hall. A ramp leads up to where you get in a capsule, and they're quite ready to stop the wheel while you get on if you'd like them to. It moves very slowly. Each capsule can take about 30 people, and there's a central bench seat, but most people move around a little to get different perspectives as the capsule goes through its complete cycle. It is very smooth. If you want them to stop it for you to get off, the staff will be very happy to do that. Nearby is the interesting (and accessible) London Aquarium, with its entrance from the riverside of County Hall. There are two wheelchair toilets (D80 ST90) inside the ticket office, to the left as you come in from the ramped entrance, opposite Costa Coffee.
Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition
21 New Globe Walk SE1
Tel: 020 7902-1400 (admin) 020 7401-9919 (BO)
website: www.shakespeares-globe.org
The theatre is a reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked. The exhibition entrance is on the riverside past the theatre and towards Tate Modern. It is in a huge 'Undercroft' beneath the theatre. Ramps bypass -7-3 steps in the ticket office area. A lift (D75 W110 L150) takes you down to the bottom level with an extensive and well presented exhibition covering the theatre of Shakespeare's time and the London in which he worked. Theatre tours start from here, and use a second lift (D100 W200 L200) to reach the theatre above. There are wheelchair toilets (D70+ ST70+) near the first lift at the upper level, another on the bottom level, and on the GF level near the shop and theatre foyer where the tour finishes. All the toilet doors are quite heavy to open.
Somerset House
Strand WC2R 1LA
Tel: 020 7845-4600.
website: www.somerset-house.org.uk
e-mail: info@somerset-house.org.uk
Somerset House is one of the most important buildings of the 18thC. This grand building alongside Waterloo Bridge now houses three interesting collections and has a lovely terrace overlooking the river. The central courtyard has a magnificent fountain in the centre which becomes an attractive multicoloured display at night. In the winter it's an ice rink. There is one BB parking space which can be booked in advance. There is a good diagram of the layout in the Your Site Plan & Brief History leaflet. The site is huge and measures about 130m by 160m. There are several accessible refreshment facilities including the upmarket Admiralty Bar and Restaurant at courtyard level. What is open depends partly on the time of year.
There are three entrances from different levels. From the Strand, you come immediately to the Courthauld Galleries in and over the archway. Going about 100m directly across the courtyard, which is cobbled in places, the ramped entrance into the Hermitage Rooms is towards the left-hand corner under the sign saying Stamp Office. Inside, a lift (D80 W100 L130) takes you down to the Gilbert collection at the Embankment level. From Waterloo Bridge there's a ramp down on to the Riverside Terrace To get into the building from here you have to go about 400m (turning left under the second arch, and then left and left again) to bypass the +8 steps up to the Seamen's Hall in the centre of the building. The third entrance is off the Embankment, under the big arch. There are -2 steps, bypassed by a ramp to the left. To get into the building (at the level of the Gilbert Collection) there are +2, bypassed by an open lift (D90 L130). Just what that mini-lift is doing there is difficult to imagine as a ramp would have been simpler, cheaper and better.
The Courtauld Gallery
Tel: 020 7848-2526 Fax: 020 7848-2589
e-mail: galleryinfo@courtauld.ac.uk
is housed in the rooms over the main entrance archway off the Strand. The paintings include those by famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionists. Access from the Strand is via +2 steps on the right side of the arch, or you can use the cobbled roadway, moving the temporary ropes. There is a rather poor ramped kerb on to the pavement. At the main entrance (on your right) there are +2 to the ticket office, then +5 to the lift. There's an alternative entrance for chair users further round giving step free access to the lift (D150 W250 L150) which goes to all three floors. The lift has quite an awkward ridge by the door when getting out, and the chairs available to be borrowed have small wheels. We saw an inexperienced user having quite a lot of trouble getting over it as the front wheels got stuck and the occupants ankles were jabbed by the footplates. Using the lift bypasses +59+34 spiralled steps to the upper galleries, or -24+2 to the basement. On the top floor, room 12 has +1, but a temporary ramp is available. The café and the wheelchair toilet (D80 ST80+, but with a high pedestal) are in the basement. The shop is on the other side of the arch with +2 at the entrance, but again, a portable ramp is available.
Going across the courtyard past the fountains, the Hermitage Rooms are step free from the ticket office in the Stamp Office at courtyard level. There are ramps leading into this building from both corners of the courtyard, but the ticket office is on the left side. If you ignore the ramps there are +4 into the building. Inside the Hermitage Rooms exhibition there's an adapted toilet (D80 ST60). Wheelchairs with large wheels can be borrowed.
A lift (D80 W100 L130) links the courtyard level G with the Embankment level L2. At the Embankment (lower) level, there is the alternative entrance about 80m from Waterloo Bridge. There is a shop (just outside) and a café. There is also a wheelchair toilet (D80 ST80), and although the door opens in, the cubicle is deep enough for most chair users. Admission to the Gilbert Collection is from this level (L2). It is step free throughout, using a second lift (D80 W100 L130). Using the Gilbert Collection lift, you can go down to L1 which is the King's Barge House under the shop.
The Riverside Terrace has seats overlooking the river and a ramp at one end of the wooden plinth with café tables and chairs. Near the ramps and under the first arch, there's a wheelchair toilet (D80 ST80). The outer door is split, and if one half is bolted (as it was when we visited) it'd be a slight job to open. With only one door open the gap is D60.
Southwark Cathedral
Montague Close SE1
Tel: 020 7367-6700 Fax: 020 7637-6725
website: www.dswark.org
e-mail: cathedral@dswark.org.uk
Though much restored, the building retains its traditional Gothic style. Shakespeare's brother Edmond is buried here. It is situated beneath and to the west of London Bridge off Borough High Street. The entrance can be reached step free from Cathedral Street (from the south-west corner) There's a ramp to the right to bypass -6 steps. The entrance itself is step free. Inside some 70% is step free. The Ambulatory is reached via 1 + 3 on the right side. The 1 is permanently ramped, and there are portable ramps available to get up the others. The shop, refectory and exhibition 'The Long View of London' are accessed via + 7 but with an open lift (D120 L200) to bypass them. All are step free, and the ±4 in the shop can be bypassed by using a ramped passage outside. Wheelchair toilet (D70+ ST70+) near the top of the open lift. Induction loop in the church. A great deal of thought has gone into making the facilities accessible.
St Paul's Cathedral
Ludgate Hill EC4
Tel: 020 7236-4128.
website: www.stpauls.co.uk
Admission charge, except for services. Christopher Wren's masterpiece still dominates London's skyline. The dome is thought to be the second largest in the world and contains the famous Whispering Gallery. The floor area is approximately 80m by 200m.
The main entrance has +10+14 steps, with either revolving or swing doors to go through at the top. A step free way in is 60m away, to the right of the main stairs. Go down the side of the cathedral, and find the door tucked away by the corner where the South Transept starts, before you reach the South Porch. The entrance is locked, but ringing the bell will bring assistance. A platform stairlift (W65 L85) or service lift (D80 W105 L135) bypasses +22 (spiral). These give access to the main floor which has flat access throughout, except for the American Memorial Chapel which is +4.
The crypt is also reached by the service lift (bypassing -38 from the main floor or -20 from outside). It contains Nelson's tomb, a large chapel, the cathedral Treasure, a shop and a café. There are wheelchair toilets (D80 ST75) just inside the door of both ladies and gents. The -3 steps down to Nelson's tomb have been ramped. To get through to the chapel beyond, ask one of the staff to open the barrier just past the Treasure exhibition.
There are hundreds of steps from the first floor to the other galleries: +259 to the Whispering Gallery, +116 to the Stone Gallery, and +155 to the Golden Gallery. All are narrow. The service lift goes to within about 30 steps of the Whispering Gallery, but we were told that it is strictly for 'private' use.
Just outside the cathedral past the coach park on the south side, and near the junction with New Change there is a 'Tardis' wheelchair toilet (NKS), available 24 hours a day. The churchyard area at the east end can be reached step free, and is a good shady area with a large number of seats. Note that City Thameslink station (which is accessible) is nearby, and that you can now get there from across the river using the Millennium Bridge.
Tate Modern
Bankside, SE1 9TG
Tel: 020 7887-8888 Textphone: 020 7887-8687 Fax: 020 7887-8898
website: www.tate.org.uk
e-mail: information@tate.org.uk.
The gallery is housed in a huge building that used to be a power station, and exhibits art which is post 1900. Parking is very restricted, but there are OB spaces on Holland Street, and these can be reserved in advance. You can reach it either from the south bank Thames Walk, or across the Millennium Bridge. If you come from the riverside, there is a flat entrance by the corner café on the GF (level 2). If you come to the West Entrance, there is a long slope down to the bottom level with steps and a handrail down the right hand side. At this lower level, just inside the doors to the left there is an information point though it's not very obvious. You can get a gallery plan, and an access leaflet. The plan takes a little getting used to. Four lifts (D120 W150 L250) go to all floors, but these can get quite busy. There are escalators as an alternative. Although step free, the galleries are around 180m long and some 40m wide, so if you go to more than one level, there can be long distances involved as there is only one block of lifts. A wheelchair can be borrowed if you need one, and there are benches scattered throughout the galleries. There are many interesting and provoking exhibits. The descriptions of various exhibits are sometimes not designed for someone who is even slightly visually impaired, and some are not at a very friendly height for a chair user. There are wheelchair toilets (D80 ST80) on most levels, adjacent to the main toilet blocks. The ST space blocked by a large bin in all of them. There are three cafés, on level 2, level 4 and level 7. In the one on level 4 the counters are quite high. Special tours and facilities are available if you ask, for visually impaired visitors, those with learning disabilities and those wanting to access reference materials.