A two-day accessible break in London

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.