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The best accessible things to do in London
Developing Long Covid meant a litany of disability issues now running throughout my body. My new reality meant waiting for assessments and treatments, all seemingly with no answers from befuddled professionals uninterested in my pain. I was an anxious patient – and in need of my own relief.
Travel has been that relief – allowing me the privilege of forgetting my body for snatches of hours at a time. It is a temporary pause on the myriad of internal issues. I’ve been Disabled since birth, but needing a cane to walk has made travelling even more difficult than before, and I’ve had to learn how to navigate new spaces from scratch.
London, however, has felt like a safe space for me. Often, I’ve been impressed and surprised at its adaptations and provisions, and it has quickly become one of my favourite cities to visit. I have spent the last two years exploring London’s green spaces, uncovering step-free restaurants and visiting galleries and museums that cater to my needs. The relief was intoxicating, particularly when the cross-section of my disability requirements was taken into account – I need seating, quiet spaces, step-free entrances, and a good price point. Below, I’ve rounded up the very best accessible things to do in London.
Henson’s Bar, Soho
Best for: a quiet environment and table service
Henson’s Bar is my favourite place in all of Soho. There is outdoor seating with heaters, a wide door (you may need assistance holding it open if you’re a wheelchair user), and plenty of space and seating for transferring out of your chair. There are quiet spaces, an excellent drinks menu, and the staff have been absolutely brilliant and helpful on every visit. This bar showcases how to accommodate people with disabilities.
Address: 56 – 57 Frith Street, W1D 3JG
Website: mimishotelsoho.com
The Barbican, Clerkenwell
Best for: an open-access green space and a variety of activities
Part cinema, part green space, part library, part concert hall; The Barbican in Clerkenwell is one of London’s best-loved multi-function spaces. It also has one of the most accessible outdoor spaces in the city – accessible from across the tube station, the rooftop is free to enter, step-free, and seating is available throughout the gardens.
Address: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
Website: barbican.org.uk
Science Gallery, London Bridge
Best for: a quiet, calm environment
