A two-day accessible break in London
Need ideas for wheelchair-friendly breaks in London? We’ve got you covered. Britain’s capital is rich in history and legend, and is one of the country’s most accessible destinations: everywhere from Tower Bridge to Kensington Palace is geared up for disabled holidays. Whether you’re taking a speedboat ride on the River Thames or meeting the meerkats at London Zoo, there’s so much to experience. Discover engineering marvels, centuries-old markets and luxurious accessible hotels in the capital.
Day 1
Explore London Zoo with an accessible scooter
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 3 hours
A fun way to start your accessible break, discover your wild side on a self-guided tour of London Zoo. Pre-book one of its two mobility scooters to catch a glimpse of lions, elephants, penguins and more. If you’re bringing your own mobility aid, you’ll find that most of the viewing areas and animal enclosures are step-free.
Enjoy afternoon tea on a bus
- Guided Tour
- Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
Catch the Northern Line to Charing Cross and make your way to Northumberland Avenue, to board Brigit's Wheelchair-Friendly Sightseeing Bus Tour. This traditional Routemaster bus has been kitted out especially for wheelchair users. Sip tea and munch on delicious sandwiches and cakes made by Brigit’s Bakery, while spotting iconic landmarks like the Royal Albert Hall and Palace of Westminster on this 90-minute tour.
Check into The Londoner hotel
- Accommodation
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour
Tonight’s recommended hotel is The Londoner on Leicester Square. It has 18 wheelchair accessible rooms (two with ceiling hoists), featuring level-access wet room showers, handrails and shower seats. Up for a cheeky tipple? Check out Joshua’s Tavern on the ground floor and its prodigious gin selection. One of London’s top accessible hotels.
Reach new heights at Tower Bridge
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
No accessible break in London would be complete without a visit to Tower Bridge. Using the lifts in each tower, you can cross the upper glass walkways, spotting red buses beneath your feet and learn fascinating facts about its construction. Afterwards, take the lift back down to street level to visit the impressive Engine Rooms, and see how the massive bascules rise to allow large boats to pass through.
Dinner beside the Thames
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
Wind your day down with dinner at Sea Containers London, a riverside restaurant that serves seasonal British produce with an American twist. Part of the Sea Containers hotel on the South Bank, its design harks back to 1920s transatlantic cruise travel. The restaurant is situated on the ground floor with step-free access in and out, so you can relax while enjoying night-time views of London.
Travel between London Zoo's accessible scooter to Wheelchair-Friendly Sightseeing Bus Tour
Travel between Wheelchair-Friendly Sightseeing Bus Tour to Londoner hotel
Travel between Londoner hotel to Tower Bridge
Travel between Tower Bridge to Sea Containers house
Day 2
Peak inside Kensington Palace
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
Follow in royal footsteps at Kensington Palace, an iconic London attraction where you can learn all about former residents such as Queen Victoria and Princess Diana. From its entrance in Kensington Gardens you can reach all of the floors by lift, and wheelchairs are available to hire for your accessible break.
Relax like the Romans
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
Unwind with a multi-sensory spa experience at AIRE Ancient Baths in Covent Garden. Inspired by ancient Roman bathing traditions, you’ll embark on a journey through different pools of various temperatures: from the hot Caldarium and the cold Frigidarium, to the Vaporium and the Floatarium salt bath. All of the rooms can be accessed by lift, and there’s a wheelchair lift in the baths to help guests get in and out of the water.
Lunch at Borough Market
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour
Head south of the river to Borough Market, where a foodie feast awaits on your accessible break. Tuck into hot bites from its many vendors (like Applebee’s seafood wraps and artisan coffee at Change Please), and pick up tasty produce to enjoy back at home. Set on ground level, there are four wheelchair accessible toilets available without a need for radar keys, and most of the walkways are easy to navigate.
See sharks and stingrays on the South Bank
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
For those with a passion for wildlife, SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a high point of a London accessible break. You’ll discover more than 500 species across 14 themed zones, which are all wheelchair accessible via lifts. Highlights include handling a starfish at the Rockpool and seeing sharks up-close in the Shark Walk tunnel.
Watch the sunset from a speedboat
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour
End your accessible break on a high with a sunset zoom down the river on a Thames Rocket boat trip. This adult-only river cruise meanders from the London Eye to the Tower of London, before the skipper opens the throttle and jets down towards Greenwich, twisting and turning at high speed. While not fully wheelchair accessible, the trip is suitable for those who can access the boat (down a short flight of steps) with minimal assistance and sit unaided on-board.
Top Tip - Globe theatre
- Guided Tour
Be transported back to the Elizabethan era on a behind-the-scenes tour of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. It has permanent exhibitions and tours to join – all of which are fully accessible by wheelchair.
Travel between Kensington Palace to AIRE Ancient Baths
Travel between AIRE Ancient Baths to Borough Market
Travel between Borough Market to SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Travel between SEA LIFE London Aquarium to Thames Rocket
Travel between Thames Rocket to Globe theatre tour
FAQs
The Tower of London offers some accessible features for wheelchair users, but as with many historic buildings overall access remains limited. There is step-free access to certain key parts of the site, including a lift to the viewing platform of the Jewel House where the Crown Jewels are displayed, and a lift in the White Tower to the ground floor and basement. The site offers accessible toilets, and a limited number of wheelchairs are also available to borrow on a first-come first-serve basis. However, many sections of the site include features like cobbled surfaces, narrow passageways, and steep stairs, which limit access.
Find out more about how to plan your visit and download the Tower Access Guide on the Tower of London Accessibility page.
Yes, many Thames boat tours are accessible, with several operators offering facilities for wheelchair users. Most riverboat services have adapted their fleets to ensure tours are accessible for all visitors. Boats often include designated spaces on board for wheelchair users, and step-free boarding is available at many piers. Piers operated by Transport for London River Services are generally step-free with the London Eye Pier being a popular option. Note that boarding conditions can vary depending on the tide and location, and some vessels may have limitations for larger electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters, so it’s important to research services in advance.
Find out more about the different providers and access points on the Transport for London About River Tours page.
Yes, ZSL London Zoo is designed to ensure that all visitors can access and fully enjoy the site, including wheelchair friendly features such as wide, step-free pathways, ramps into most buildings, Changing Places and accessible toilets, a designated disabled parking bay at the entrance and nearby Blue Badge parking. Due to the historic nature of the site and its location in Regent’s Park, some paths may include gentle slopes or uneven surfaces, and some of the listed buildings have limited access. Assistance dogs are welcome in the zoo, though there are specific rules to be followed. There are also a number of accessible activities available for visitors.
Find out more about how to plan your visit on the London Zoo Accessibility page.
Changing Places toilets are available across London, and can often be found at major attractions, transport hubs, and shopping centres. The easiest way to find Changing Places toilets is by visiting the Changing Places site and using its search feature to locate nearby options (there is a Changing Places mobile app available for download).
Transport For London also has detailed information on public toilets, accessible toilets, and Changing Places on their site, with an ‘enhanced toilets facilities’ guide available for download. Many venues across the city include accessibility information on their own websites, helping you to better plan your visit in advance.
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