Top Accessible Tourist Attractions in London

Accessible Tourist Attractions in London

Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Accessible Attractions in London

The Tower of London

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower of London is a must-see for history buffs, offering a deep dive into Britain’s storied past.

  • Step-Free Access: While some areas, like the Medieval Palace, are challenging due to cobblestones, alternative step-free routes and ramps are available. The Jewel House, housing the Crown Jewels, and the White Tower are fully accessible.
  • Wheelchair Availability: Manual wheelchairs are available for hire.
  • Mobility Scooter Use: Permitted, but visitors should be aware of uneven surfaces in some parts of the castle grounds.

The British Museum

One of the world’s greatest museums, the British Museum houses millions of works from all continents and cultures.

  • Step-Free Access: The museum has step-free access through the Montague Place entrance. Inside, elevators provide access to all floors, making the entire collection accessible.
  • The museum provides wheelchair-accessible entrances, ramps, and lifts, allowing visitors to admire its vast collection of artifacts from around the world.
  • Accessible Toilets: Available throughout the museum, including adult changing facilities in the Great Court.

The London Eye

The London Eye offers one of the most spectacular views of the city, all from the comfort of a spacious pod.

  • Step-Free Access: Fully accessible, with ramps leading to the boarding area.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: Each pod can accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with space for a companion.
  • Priority Boarding: Available for those requiring assistance, reducing wait times and ensuring a smooth experience.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British monarch, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.

  • Step-Free Access: The State Rooms, open to the public during the summer, offer step-free access through a special entrance on the south side of the palace. Inside, wide corridors and ramps allow for smooth navigation, ensuring that visitors can explore the grandeur of the palace with ease.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: Buckingham Palace is equipped with several accessibility features to accommodate wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum, a marvel of architecture, showcases everything from dinosaur skeletons to precious gemstones.

  • Step-Free Access: Accessible through the Exhibition Road entrance, with ramps and elevators throughout the building.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: The museum is fully navigable by wheelchair or mobility scooter, with spacious galleries and smooth surfaces.
  • Accessible Toilets: Available on all floors, with changing facilities for adults.

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)

The Victoria and Albert Museum is a stunning museum of art and design, with collections ranging from fashion to ceramics.

  • Step-Free Access: Accessible entrances at both Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road, with elevators to all levels.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: The museum is fully accessible, with wide corridors and open spaces that make navigation easy.

Kew Gardens

For a breath of fresh air, Kew Gardens offers a tranquil retreat with beautiful landscapes and diverse plant life.

  • Step-Free Access: The gardens have wide, smooth paths, and step-free entry is available at all gates.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: Accessible transport is provided within the gardens, with an all-terrain mobility scooter available for hire. Many of the garden’s attractions, including the glasshouses, have ramps and elevators.
  • Shuttle Service: An accessible shuttle service runs throughout the gardens, offering an easy way to explore.

The Science Museum

The Science Museum is perfect for those curious about the world, with interactive exhibits covering everything from space exploration to medical history.

  • Step-Free Access: Available at all entrances, with elevators connecting all floors.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: Fully accessible, with exhibits designed to be experienced at different heights and angles.
  • Wheelchair Availability: Manual wheelchairs are available for loan.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Shakespeare’s Globe offers a unique glimpse into Elizabethan theatre with modern performances of the Bard’s greatest works.

  • Step-Free Access: Level access to the ground floor, with elevators available to upper levels.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: Designated spaces for wheelchair users in the theatre. The exhibition space is also fully accessible.
  • Accessible Performances: Regular performances with audio descriptions, captioning, and BSL interpretation.

The Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is London’s leading contemporary art gallery, housed in a former power station with stunning views over the Thames.

  • Step-Free Access: Step-free access is provided via the Turbine Hall entrance, with elevators to all floors.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: Wide galleries and smooth surfaces ensure easy navigation. Special seating is available in many areas.

The Houses of Parliament

A visit to the Houses of Parliament offers a chance to see British democracy in action, set within a historic building.

  • Step-Free Access: Step-free routes throughout, including to the iconic Westminster Hall.
  • Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access: The main areas of the building, including the chambers and committee rooms, are accessible.
  • Accessible Tours: Available with BSL interpretation, audio descriptions, and tactile maps for visually impaired visitors.

Tips to Explore Accessible Tourist Attractions in London

  • Plan Ahead: Research attractions and their accessibility features before your trip.
  • Mobility Equipment: Determine which mobility equipment, such as a wheelchair or mobility scooter, best suits your travel needs. Identify a reliable company that provides and delivers the equipment to you.
  • Use Public Transportation: London’s public transportation system is generally accessible, with wheelchair-accessible buses and trains.
  • Consider Guided Tours: Many tour companies offer accessible guided tours of London’s attractions.
  • Ask for Assistance: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from staff at attractions and transportation hubs.

Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Rentals in London

Accessible Tourist Attractions in London Mobility

Adapt A Home, a leading mobility equipment provider, offers wheelchair, mobility scooter and power wheelchair rental services in and around London.

  • Easy-foldable wheelchairs.
  • Compact mobility scooters with an easy-to-transport design.
  • Delivery anywhere in and around London, including your home and hotels.
  • Delivery to Heathrow, Luton, and Gatwick Airports.
  • Rental options for both short and long durations.
  • Affordable wheelchair and mobility scooter rentals.

CLICK HERE to know more about range of rental equipment.

NEED A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY SCOOTER RIGHT NOW?

Don’t worry. Just fill out the form below and one of our advisors will guide you in selecting the most suitable mobility equipment. You can also call us on 020 3976 8808


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VAT Relief for the Disabled

What is VAT relief?

We have compiled this small guide to help you understand who is and who isn’t eligible to claim VAT relief on disability aids available to buy on this website. VAT relief allows chronically ill or disabled people to buy eligible items at 0% tax rather than the current standard rate of  VAT – saving them a significant amount of money.

Who is eligible for VAT relief?

To be eligible for VAT relief the government says that you have to fit the following criteria:

  • Charities – simply provide us with your charity number.
  • A person is ‘chronically sick or disabled’ if they are a person:
    • With a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect upon their ability to carry out everyday activities; with a condition that the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness, such as diabetes; or who is terminally ill.
  • Important to note: It does NOT include a frail elderly person who is otherwise able-bodied or any person who is only temporarily disabled or incapacitated, such as with a broken limb.

What proof do we need to provide?

The government requires a simple declaration to be made as to the nature of your disability at the time of order in order to waive VAT on an eligible purchase. No proof of your disability need be shown to any party at any time. It is easy to claim VAT relief, all we need to know is the full name, full address and what their chronic sickness or disability is. We do not need a doctor’s letter or any reference numbers as long as we have the requested details.

The above information can be provided to us during the checkout. If you order online, by phone or by post we will send you a form and a free return envelope asking you for the above information and a signature.

Displayed prices

If you see a small purple banner or text link with the words, “VAT relief available” or a price shown with “with VAT relief” after it, then VAT relief can be claimed on that particular item.

Things to remember

  • We do NOT decide if an item is or isn’t exempt and we don’t make any more or less money if we charge you VAT or we don’t charge you VAT
  • The details you provide are private and strictly confidential. They can only be viewed on our secure private company network and will be made securely available to the UK Government HMRC should they request any clarification on your purchase.
  • If you do not complete the VAT relief form, or you are not eligible for VAT relief, we are obliged to charge you the full prevailing VAT on the whole of your order
  • Not all products are eligible for VAT relief, so we are obliged to charge VAT at the prevailing rate for those products that are not VAT exempt, even after you complete this form
  • Visit gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vat-relief for more information. That also has links to other financial help if you are disabled