M to S: London Attractions Accessibility Information

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds houses a famous collection of waxworks. Here you'll have a chance to interact with various exhibits featuring some of today's biggest celebrities. There is good access for wheelchair users. However the Spirit of London ride is not wheelchair-accessible.

Thanks to limited capacity, only three wheelchair users may visit the exhibit at a time. Therefore it is best to book Madame Tussauds tickets in advance to avoid waiting. There are facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments. Concessions for disabled people are available and entry for accompanying personal assistants or carers is free.

Museum of London*

The Museum of London brings London history to life, from prehistoric to modern times. The museum is wheelchair accessible and there are good facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments, including British Sign Language interpreted tours, audio guides and touch tours. Wheelchairs, scooters and folding chairs are available to borrow. Some tours require advance booking.
Museum of London access information

National Gallery*

The National Gallery houses the national collection of Western European painting from around 1250 onwards. The gallery is wheelchair-accessible exception the portico entrance and mezzanine level. There are good facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments, including British Sign Language interpreted events and touch tours.
National Gallery access information

National Maritime Museum*

The National Maritime Museum explains Britain's worldwide influence through its explorers, traders, migrants and naval power. The museum is wheelchair-accessible and there are good facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments, including British Sign Language interpreted events and touch tours. There is a free wheelchair-accessible transport service called the Road Train that runs between the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory.
National Maritime Museum access information

Natural History Museum*

The Natural History Museum offers hundreds of exciting, interactive exhibits about the natural world. The museum is wheelchair-accessible, except the Earth Lab. Flat entrance is from Museum Lane. Facilities are available for people with hearing and visual impairments. If you have any access requirements, it is essential to pre-book a tour. Call ahead regarding any restrictions on guide dogs.
Natural History Museum access information

National Portrait Gallery*

The National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of British subjects in all mediums, from oil and watercolour to sculpture and drawings. The gallery is wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the Royal Landing. There are two wheelchair-accessible entrances - a ramped entrance on Orange Street and the gift shop entrance on St Martin's Place. There are facilities available for people with hearing and visual impairments, including touch tours, sound guides, and British Sign Language interpreted talks.
National Portrait Gallery access information

Royal Academy of Arts

The collection of the Royal Academy of Arts includes some of the best examples of fine arts from the 18th century to the present. The Royal Academy is wheelchair-accessible. There are facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments, including audio guides, touch facilities, large print, and British Sign Language interpreted events. You can book a guide, if required, for a personal tour to describe the works in the exhibition or to provide assistance. Concessions for disabled people are available and entry for accompanying personal assistants or carers is free.
Royal Academy of Arts access information

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Kew Gardens are home to a remarkable collection of over 30,000 types of plants from all over the world and are a World Heritage Site. The footpaths and the majority of buildings are suitable for wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are available free of charge, but must be booked in advance.

There are good facilities for people with visual impairments, including an audio guide, braille signage, and materials in large print. One-to-one guides can also be pre-booked. Visitors can tour the gardens via the "Kew Explorer Bus", which is a wheelchair-accessible bus that circulates around the gardens. Wheelchair users should book the bus in advance as space is limited. Concessions for disabled people are available and entry for accompanying personal assistants or carers is free.
Royal Botanic Gardens access information

St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral is Sir Christopher Wren's famous masterpiece. The cathedral floor and crypt have good access for wheelchair users. Step-free entry is on the north side of the building. On the cathedral floor, the only inaccessible area is the American Chapel. The only access to the upper galleries is by hundreds of steps.

For people with visual impairments, there are recorded or guided tours with touch facilities. For services, a hearing loop is installed and large print or braille copies of orders of services are available. To arrange wheelchair access for services, please telephone +44 (0)20 7246 8320. Services are free to all. However charges are applicable to tour the cathedral. Concessions for disabled people are available and entry for accompanying personal assistants or carers is free.
St. Paul's Cathedral access information

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

The SEA LIFE London Aquarium is one of Europe's largest displays of aquatic life. Over 350 species of fish from all over the world are on display in massive tanks. Wheelchair users can access all areas and there are some facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments. There's a limit on the number of guide dogs allowed at any one time. Concessions for disabled people and accompanying personal assistants or carers are available.

Serpentine Gallery*

The Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens hosts a variety of exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. All areas have wheelchair access and there are limited facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments. Signed events and touch tours are sometimes available upon request.

Science Museum*

The Science Museum contains the world's finest collections in the history of science, technology and medicine, and an IMAX 3D Cinema. The museum has good wheelchair access, with the exception of the flight and ships gallery and the simulator rides. There are a number of exciting "hands-on" galleries throughout the museum. Most of these areas have "explainers" - professional science communicators - on hand. These galleries can sometimes become very crowded. It is advisable for vsitors with additional needs to telephone the enquiry line: +44 (0)20 7942 4446, educational group visits line: +44 (0)20 7942 4777 or minicom line: +44 (0)20 7942 4445.

There is an infrared hearing loop system in the IMAX cinema. For lift access to the cinema, ask a member of staff for assistance. There are four permanent wheelchair spaces in the cinema. Accommodating more wheelchairs is possible with advance notice. Admission to the museum is free, but charges apply for the IMAX cinema, the simulators and some special exhibitions. Concessions for disabled people are available and entry for accompanying personal assistants or carers is free.
Science Museum access information

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Shakespeare's Globe on the south bank is an authentic reconstruction of Shakespeare's Tudor theatre and includes an exhibition on the world of Shakespeare. Both the exhibition and the theatre are wheelchair-accessible and have good facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments. A dedicated service provides advice on specialised services for disabled people at the Globe. Concessions for disabled people and their personal assistants or carers are available.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre access information

Somerset House

Somerset House is a magnificent 18th century building and houses the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Embankment Galleries and the Hermitage Rooms. The building and galleries are wheelchair-accessible, including the open-air café and the River Terrace, which is accessible from the north side of Waterloo Bridge. Tours for people with hearing and visual impairments are available. Entry for accompanying personal assistants or carers is free. Visitors with disabilities can call the 24-hour access information line on +44 (0)20 7845 4671.

Southwark Cathedral

Southwark Cathedral, the mother church of the Anglican diocese of Southwark, is the oldest gothic church in London, with interesting memorials and archaeology. The majority of the complex is wheelchair-accessible. There are facilities for people with hearing and visual impairments, including an induction loop and large print materials. Entry is free but a voluntary £4 donation is appreciated.
Southwark Cathedral access information