On your trip, discovering London’s cultural landscape is a must, and many of the top attractions are open to all, regardless of mobility. Here, we highlight some of our favourite London spots designed to welcome wheelchair users with open arms. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, we delve into the accessibility features that make these spots inclusive. Here’s our lowdown on the top London attractions that are wheelchair accessible.
While you’re here, if you want more London Accessibility hacks, check out our video below:
(WA=Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of The National Gallery
The National Gallery
First on our list of the top London attractions that are wheelchair accessible is The National Gallery, one for keen art enthusiasts with its huge collection of remarkable paintings from the mid-13th century to the 1900s. You can expect to see masterpieces by some of history’s greatest artists, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Titian, and Turner. The gallery has taken many steps to ensure access to its incredible selection of artwork is easy, enjoyable, and welcoming for all. There is level access entry at the Getty Entrance and a designated badge holder parking space, which can be booked in advance. Lift access is available to the galleries, and disabled and ambulant toilets are near the entrance. You can also book transport, rollators and standard manual wheelchairs before you arrive, and plenty of seating is scattered around the entire gallery.
The National Gallery | Trafalgar Square | WA
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum, is more than just a Romanesque Revival masterpiece; it also houses over 80 million specimens spanning billions of years of natural history. You could easily spend a year perusing all of the weird and wonderful artefacts and centuries-old specimens on show here, from ancient dinosaur bones to taxidermied animals, including a huge polar bear. There’s also the beloved Hope, a giant blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling in Hintze Hall, a stunning gallery and the largest public space in the museum. You can also see rare precious gems, skulls believed to belong to royal lions throughout the Plantagenet rule, and even the Nakhla meteorite, which fell in Egypt in 1911, said to be around 1.3 billion years old.
Alongside this, it’s renowned for its commitment to accessibility, ensuring that visitors of all abilities can fully immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural world. With its spacious galleries, wide corridors, and strategically placed ramps and elevators, the museum provides smooth pathways for wheelchair users to explore its incredible collections easily. The museum offers wheelchair-accessible entrances, ramps and several lifts, allowing easy exploration for visitors using a wheelchair or scooter. Accessible restrooms are available throughout the museum, and there are even designated seating areas and viewing platforms reserved for wheelchair users. If you need it, you can request the assistance of trained staff members who will guide you through your history-filled visit.
The Natural History Museum | South Kensington | WA
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is more than just an impressive piece of British architecture; it has also held a significant place within Britain’s monarchy since the 1600s, establishing itself as one of London’s most famous royal landmarks. Over the years, it has served as the residence for various members of the British Royal Family, including Queen Victoria. It’s where she first laid her eyes on Prince Albert, resulting in one of the greatest love stories in royalty, which eventually led to nine children. Visitors with limited mobility can take advantage of this incredible London landmark as the Palace has ground-level access from Kensington Gardens, and all three floors are accessible via lift. If you need a manual wheelchair, they’re available to use free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, but it’s worth noting they’re only for indoor use. Folding stools are also available for free and are located after the scanner desk. If you need more details about the route you should take around The Palace, they’ve added their recommendations on their accessibility page. Kensington Palace also offers a free carer ticket to those who require one.
Kensington Palace | Kensington | WA
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is another long-standing symbol of British royalty, steeped in centuries of regal history and grandeur – it’s got a whopping 760 windows and 1,514 doors. Since the early 18th century, it has evolved into the iconic residence of monarchs, including Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and more. Today, Buckingham Palace serves as both a royal home and a hub for state affairs, hosting ceremonial events, diplomatic receptions, and royal gatherings. Its imposing facade and lush, sprawling grounds make it a must-visit London landmark if you’re interested in the monarchy or architecture.
If you have accessibility needs, you don’t have to miss out; The Palace is accessible, but step-free access must be pre-booked in advance, which will gain you access to their specially-designed Access Route. Upon arrival, The Palace offers a golf cart equipped with a trailer and ramp to whisk you off the gravel entrance. They also have folding stools, rollators and wheelchairs available to borrow, free of charge but subject to availability, however, you can also pre-book them. There’s also a fully equipped accessible bathroom. Lastly, it’s also worth noting that access to certain rooms differs throughout the year, so check ahead of your visit if there’s something you really want to see.
Buckingham Palace | Westminster | WA
The V&A
The Victoria and Albert Museum, otherwise known as the V&A, is one of the city’s most interesting and much-loved museums, dedicated to art, design, and culture. Founded in the mid-19th century, it has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions, showcasing all kinds of treasures spanning centuries and continents. Along with all the cool fashion and design stuff, you’ll also find heaps of weird artwork and curios, like cursed cups, a 17th-century sculpture depicting the head of an ox and Tipu’s Tiger, a mechanical automaton of a tiger mauling a European soldier, created for Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore in India.
Its magnificent halls and galleries are decked out with masterpieces, from ceramics to cutting-edge clothing, and everyone is invited to come and experience them, including wheelchair users, since the museum has been kitted out to cater for those with accessibility needs. Both the Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road entrances are accessible with ramps and stairs, and there are 18 levels, some of which are ramped with 100% wheelchair access throughout, as well as lifts that provide access to all levels across the building. There are also several accessible toilets, wheelchairs, and walking sticks available to borrow, which are best booked at least 24 hours in advance.
The V&A | South Kensington | WA
Tate Modern
If you’re an art lover, Tate Modern has got to be on your London itinerary. It’s one of the city’s most popular art galleries, located along the banks of the Thames, and is a hub of contemporary art. Inside, the galleries showcase a broad range of modern art covering all kinds of mediums, from paintings and sculptures to immersive multimedia. The gallery is suitable for those in a wheelchair, with ramps for specific entrances and wheelchairs and electric scooters available to rent upon request. There are twelve parking spaces for disabled visitors, which are best booked 24 hours in advance, and lifts connecting the different floors. There are even guided tours that don’t require you to use steps. If you have a carer or guardian accompanying you, they can visit for free.
Tate Modern | Bankside | WA
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens, a lush sanctuary in southwest London, is a botanical haven renowned for its rich diversity of flora and fauna. Established in the 18th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site spans over 300 acres of drop-dead landscapes, verdant gardens, plants from every corner of the globe, towering arboretums, and enchanting glasshouses.
At Kew, they want everyone to enjoy the beauty of the gardens, so they’ve implemented many steps to ensure it’s as seamless as possible for those with accessibility needs. Small wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available for rent for free, and they are designed to manoeuvre smaller spaces, including the 18-metre high treetop walkway. The gardens are mostly flat, with tarmac pathways in most areas and accessible toilets for those who need them. Although mobility scooters are not permitted in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, you can enjoy it with the wheelchair they loan you at the entrance. Inside the conservatory, there are ten computer-controlled climate zones leading you through a maze of different ecosystems and plants, from spiky cacti to blubbery succulents.
Kew Gardens | Richmond | WA
Tower Bridge
Last on our list of the top London attractions that are wheelchair accessible is Tower Bridge, which is not just an iconic symbol of London’s skyline but also one of the most unique and innovative bridges in the world. It was built in the Victorian era and designed with a bascule mechanism, allowing it to open and close for passing ships. It also pairs this incredible architecture with practical accessibility, making it a must-visit inclusive spot on your trip to the city. Its cutting-edge design features wide walkways and smooth surfaces, ensuring easy movement for individuals with mobility challenges. The bridge has accessible ramps and elevators, providing seamless navigation across the entire landmark. There are also designated viewing areas for wheelchair users, providing unobstructed Thames vistas and beyond.
Tower Bridge | Tower Bridge | WA
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