If traveling to London, plan your top sites to see as there are endless attractions and things to do.

Parks + Gardens

London is filled with accessible royal parks and gardens. The Regents Park is one royal park and a visit to it would be a lovely day trip. The London Zoo is located in the park as well as the Wildlife and Allotment Gardens. There is also an Open Air Theatre that is wheelchair accessible with 20 spaces for wheelchairs on the gangway/platform. 

Hyde Park is another and one of the largest parks in central London. A part of Hyde Park runs right along the Kensington Gardens creating a space equaling 625 acres (253 hectares). The gardens close at dusk but the park is open from dawn until midnight throughout the year. Kew Gardens is a popular royal garden that features 300 acres (121 hectares) of gardens as well as glass greenhouses.

Near all of these parks and gardens are more places of interest.  For instance, Buckingham Palace is right around the corner from Hyde Park and the Kensington Gardens. Wheelchair users must arrange for a step-free tour by emailing specialistsales@royalcollection.org.uk or calling the Specialist Sales team at (+44) (0)20 7766 7324.

Museums + London Eye

The Natural History Museum is also near the Kensington Gardens and is one of many great museums in London that are wheelchair accessible. This museum along with the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the National Portrait Gallery are all free, with no admission. Other noted museums are the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Imperial War Museum London. The National Gallery is a must-see for art lovers.  The Photographer’s Gallery is the largest museum in London dedicated to this art form. Starting in 2012 after the building completes construction revisions it will reopen with an accessible lift for wheelchairs.

Buckingham Palace is perhaps the most well-known royal property but anyone traveling to London should also stop by the Palace of Westminster, or the UK’s Parliament, where Big Ben can also be seen. Overseas visitors can watch Parliament at work all year round but can also set up a Saturday tour through TicketMaster. The London Eye was once the world’s largest Ferris wheel and is considered today “the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel.” It is one of London’s most popular attractions and offers spectacular views of the city. There are discounts for disabled guests on London Eye and London Eye River Cruise. Both cruises are fully accessible. For reservations email accessiblebooking@londoneye.com.  

Neighborhoods like Kings Cross

Cruising around a neighborhood, like Knightsbridge, Oxford Street, or King’s Cross can be quite entertaining and reveals more faces of this international city. Knightsbridge is an ultra-expensive residential area with high-end stores in West-Central London. Oxford is London’s busiest shopping area with many stores concentrated within 1.5 miles (2.4km). Many political demonstrations take place on this street and Hare Krishnas are often seen in bright orange robes, quietly dancing about as they celebrate the pure love of God.

The Kings Cross is an inner-city area of London that was a red-light district for many years, run-down and forgotten. Starting in the 1990s redevelopment began to transform Kings Cross into a cultural center and continues today. The train station Kings Cross is the one used in the blockbuster Harry Potter that would take the students to Hogwarts. This region is located in the London Borough of Camden and is less than one and three-quarter miles away from Central London. Here is a map of the area known as Kings Cross.

Markets

The Portobello Road Market is the largest antique market in the world with several sections to the market. Yes, there are lots of antiques but also new items, produce, and prepared food. On Sundays from 8 am to about 3 pm Columbia Road is transformed into an oasis of flowers and fresh produce known as the Columbia Road Market. Along the street are sixty independent shops selling boutique, vintage, and antique items. There are also art galleries, cafes, pubs, and more. The street is flat with handicapped parking is available if open and accessible restrooms can be found in larger stores like Cake Hole, Brawn, and The Royal Oak.

Borough Market is made up of 3 separate areas – The Middle Road Market, The Jubilee Market, and The Green Market, all Markets are on one level and accessible to all.  At the Jubilee Market which is a section of Borough Market, one can find accessible toilets. The Demonstration Kitchen in the Jubilee Market is a live cooking show which takes place every Thursday between 12-2 pm. The nearest disabled parking is on Park Street. This market is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  

0 0 votes
Post Power