From ancient thermal baths and contemporary art galleries to niche museums and architectural landmarks, London is full to the brim with experiences and activities, and everyone should have the opportunity to experience them. Many places around the city work to ensure they are accessible to as many people as possible, including those using a wheelchair. Here’s our guide to fun things to do in London that are wheelchair accessible.
Before you set off, if you’re keen to learn more about London Accessibility hacks, check out our video below:
Image Courtesy of Museum of the Home
Explore the evolution of British homes at the Museum of the Home
First on our list of fun things to do in London that is wheelchair accessible is visiting the Museum of the Home, a free museum located in a beautiful 18th-century Grade I-listed almshouse on lively Kingsland Road. It showcases how homes have evolved through the years, dating back to 1600 to the present day. You’ll pass through different rooms in time, modelled on real London homes and their owners, which in turn will take you through different eras of decoration and furniture, exploring how they’ve developed over the past 400 years. From a 1970s front room to a drawing room in 1830, it’s an exploration of interior design and time. There’s also a beautiful, peaceful garden with seasonal displays, which highlights how gardens have developed over the years.
Accessibility Info:
The main entrance to the museum is opposite Hoxton Station and is accessible via ramps and steps. The Kingsland Road entrance and north and south gates from the pavement to the gardens are also fully accessible via ramps. Once inside, there are lifts at both ends of the building.
Read more about Museum of the Home’s accessibility.
Image Courtesy of Wimbledon
Head to the iconic Wimbledon tennis championships
The Wimbledon Championships is the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament and is well worth a visit for any sporting fanatic looking for wheelchair-friendly activities in London. There’s also a Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, which celebrates the history and traditions of The Championships. Here, you can learn about how the tournament has evolved since the 1800s, get up close to famous tennis trophies, and see the clothes once worn by tennis players in the Victorian era and those donated by your favourite contemporary players. Tours are available to book, or you can purchase a ticket to explore the museum in your own time.
Accessibility Info:
There are accessible tickets available to purchase for the Wimbledon Championships, which provide a space for a wheelchair or an electric scooter with an accompanying seat, offering an excellent view of tennis legends battling it out right in front of your eyes.
Read more about Wimbledon Championship’s accessibility
In terms of accessibility for wheelchair users wanting to visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, there’s a step-free entrance and exit and automatic doors granting access to the museum and shop. Though the original 90-minute tour includes many steps, an alternative step-free route is available upon request.
Read more about Wimbledon Lawn Tennis’ accessibility.
Image Courtesy of Rebel Tours
Hear out about the Misfits of Covent Garden
Covent Garden has a reputation for being a fancy shopping district chock with independent boutiques, swanky restaurants and sleek bars, but there’s so much more to this historical London district than glitz and glam. This wheelchair-friendly Misfits of Covent Garden tour will explain all, taking you through time to discover how the area has evolved over the years. Hear the stories of the first Black Shakespearean actors and see where some of the first-ever drag performances in London took place. It shines a spotlight on the crazy and colourful misfits that frequented the area, taking you through the fascinating timeline of how it ended up being one of the most popular market locations in the city.
Accessibility info:
The tour is step-free and follows a route suitable for those using a wheelchair. If you have any questions, contact the Rebel Tours team and they’ll be happy to help.
Explore contemporary art at Tate Modern
There’s a reason Tate Modern is one of the most famous art galleries in the world and is on our list of fun things to do in London that are wheelchair accessible. The former oil-fired power station is now filled floor-to-ceiling with beautiful paintings and sculptures by some of the greatest artists ever, including Picasso, Warhol and Dali. The permanent collections are separated into themes, whilst the temporary exhibitions explore modern and contemporary art worldwide via changing artists.
Accessibility info:
The gallery has wheelchairs and walkers, which you can book in advance or hire upon arrival, subject to availability. There are also mobility scooters that need to be booked at least a day before your visit, but you must’ve ridden one before to be able to rent one of these. The entrance has a wheelchair ramp and motion-activated doors, and each gallery room can be reached by lift.
Read more about Tate Modern’s accessibility.
Image Courtesy of The Postal Museum, London
Learn about the history of the UK postal system at The Postal Museum
If you consider yourself a philatelist (a collector of stamps), or you’re just interested in the UK’s postal system, you’ll want to check out The Postal Museum in Clerkenwell. Here you’ll learn about the fascinating history of Britain’s postal heritage via interactive galleries and exhibitions. There’s also a subterranean Mail Rail Ride, but unfortunately, at this moment in time, it’s not currently accessible for those using a wheelchair.
Accessibility info:
All of the galleries and exhibitions are entirely accessible to wheelchair users. There are also wheelchairs available to borrow during visiting hours, which are on a first-come-first-serve basis and are bookable in advance by calling ahead of your visit.
Read more about The Postal Museum’s accessibility.
Image Courtesy of Royal Museums Greenwich
Embark on a voyage of Britain’s naval history at the National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich tells the captivating story of Britain’s historic role as a naval powerhouse. The museum is home to 14 galleries, each demonstrating the history and inspirational stories of Britain’s exploration and endeavour at sea, including the world’s most extensive collection of marine paintings and the uniform Nelson wore at the Battle of Trafalgar. It’s also part of the Royal Museums Greenwich, so you can glimpse the iconic Cutty Sark once you’ve finished exploring the museum.
Accessibility info:
You can book wheelchairs in advance to use at the museum, and there are lifts and ramps which enable wheelchair users to navigate the galleries and rooms throughout the museum.
Read more about the National Maritime Museum’s accessibility.
Enjoy step-free fun at St.Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is a beautiful Grade I listed cathedral and a centrepiece of London’s famous skyline. It was built by acclaimed British architect Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666 and is the second-largest church in the country. It’s the setting of various services and events, including concerts and general sightseeing visits.
Accessibility info:
They offer all disabled visitors – and an accompanying assistant – a free ticket to explore the cathedral. The new North Transept entrance has ramped access, which is recommended for wheelchair users and those requiring step-free access. This entrance leads directly onto the Cathedral floor. The quire and sacrarium on the Cathedral floor have a user-operated chairlift, and there are lifts that can take you to the Cathedral floor and crypt, where you’ll find tombs that are the final resting places of historical figures such as Admiral Horatio Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.
Read more about St.Paul’s Cathedral’s accessibility
Image Courtesy of AIRE Ancient Baths
Relax and rejuvenate at AIRE Ancient Baths
Last on our list of fun things to do in London that is wheelchair accessible is relaxing at AIRE Ancient Baths, where you can indulge in some well-deserved rest away from the busy city streets. This unique spa is located in the heart of the city inside a beautiful 18th-century townhouse and is inspired by traditional ancient civilisations. The iconic thermal baths here allow you to switch off and relax your body and mind via the beauty of ancient spa rituals and practises.
Accessibility info:
Inside, you’ll find lifts that service all the building floors, from the entrance and baths to the changing rooms and massage rooms. There’s also a pool hoist that the AIRE team can use to assist entry and exit into the baths.
To book an accessible visit, email the team at london@beaire.com.
These are some of the top things to do in London that are wheelchair accessible, be sure to tag us on IG (@LoveandLondon) if you get up to any of them.
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