Disabled Access Guide for The Tower of London

Services/facilities within the building include many historic buildings and exhibitions, including the Crown Jewels, the New Armouries Cafe.

The Tower is an historic site, located on a hill. Access for wheelchair users is difficult due to small passageways, stairs and cobbled walkways.

Last admission is at 17.00.

Last admission is at 16.00.

The venue is situated within the centre of the city.

This venue is situated in London.

The venue is on a road with a steep gradient.

The nearest mainline Railway Station is Fenchurch Street.

There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

The nearest underground station is Tower Hill.

This venue does not have its own car park.

There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).

The name of the car park is Tower Hill Coach and Car Park.

The car park is located behind the Welcome Centre, across Tower Hill.

On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.

Clearly signed and/or standard on street marked bays are not available.

There is not a designated drop off point.

Tower Hill Coach and Car Park contains several designated bays, lift access and adapted and standard toilets.

There is not level access to reception from the entrance.

The reception desk is medium height.

The desk does not have a lowered section.

There is a hearing assistance system.

The hearing system is a fixed loop.

Staff are trained to use the hearing system.

The Ticket Desks are located outside the main site, further up Tower Hill from the main entrance.

There is a separate ticket desk for groups located between these and the Welcome Centre.

There is not level access to the service.

The bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.

The main doors open away from you (push).

The doors are double width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 164cm (5ft 4in) wide.

The Welcome Centre is located outside the main site, further down Tower Hill from the Ticket Desks.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.

The ramp or slope is moderate.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.

The reception desk is 2m (6ft 6in) from the Welcome Centre entrance.

There is level access to reception from the entrance.

The reception desk is high.

The desk does not have a lowered section.

Lighting levels are medium.

There is not a hearing assistance system.

The Welcome Centre provides visitor information on the Tower of London, particularly access information, and allows visitors to buy tickets using credit cards.

There is also a short video giving an overview of the Tower and it's history shown here.

This information is for the entrance located on Tower Hill.

There is not level access to the service.

The main doors open (no doors).

The door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in) wide.

There is a similar entrance on the south of the site, by the Thames, for groups (shown in photograph 2).

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located leading down from Tower Hill to the entrance.

The ramp or slope is steep.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.

The reception desk is 55m (60yd) from the main entrance.

There is not level access to reception from the entrance.

The reception desk is high.

The desk does not have a lowered section.

Lighting levels are medium.

There is not a hearing assistance system.

There are steps to access this area/service.

The steps are located leading up to the reception desk.

There are 1 steps to the area/service.

The steps are not clearly marked.

The steps are medium.

The steps do not have handrails.

There is not level access to the service.

There is a hearing assistance system.

The system is a fixed loop.

Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.

This venue does not play background music.

Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is steep.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

There are steps to access this area/service.

The steps are located throughout the venue.

There are ramps of varying degrees throughout the grounds. Many of these have a cobbled surface.

There are many sets of steps, mainly deep and with handrails on at last 1 side, throughout the grounds.

For more details of access around the site, including the number of stairs to the main areas, please see the Tower of London's own access guide.

Exhibits can be audio described.

Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.

Braille signage for exhibits is available.

The availability of Braille signage depends on the exhibition.

Touch tours are available.

The availability of touch tours depends on the exhibition.

Video tours are available.

There is a hearing assistance system.

The hearing system is a fixed loop.

Staff are trained to use the hearing system.

A deposit is not required for the hearing system.

Concessions are available.

There is a wheelchair to borrow.

To borrow the wheelchair ask at the Welcome Centre.

Large print versions of the orientation leaflet and daily programe are available in the Welcome Centre.

Magnifying sheets to aid reading the Information Boards are available from the Welcome Centre and White Tower.

There are audio guides available for visitors with visual impairments. This is free and comes with a tactile map of the Tower. It can be collected from the Audio Guides Desk.

Room describers are also available in the Jewel House and White Tower. Information is also available in Braille and tactile formats in these buildings.

There is a video in the basement of the White Tower showing artifacts displayed on other floors of the tower. There is also an area to handle objects in the basement.

The audio guides can be used with hearing aids in the T position.

Visitors with hearing impairments are also able to borrow guidebooks, free of charge.

Yeoman Warder guided tours are available with BSL interpreters. Please contact the venue for more details.

This information is for the entrance located on the north side of the site.

There is not level access to the service.

The main doors open towards you (pull).

The doors are double width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 136cm (4ft 5in) wide.

Visitors leave through a similar door at the side of Jewel House.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.

The ramp or slope is moderate.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.

There is not level access to the service.

There is a hearing assistance system.

The system is a fixed loop.

Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.

This venue does not play background music.

The lighting levels are low.

Customers cannot charge scooters or wheelchairs at the venue.

There is a moving walkway on which you travel to view the Crown Jewels.

The speed varies depending on how busy the Jewel House is.

Jewel House Wardens will stop the walkway for wheelchair users on request.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located throughout the areas showing the Coronation films.

The ramp or slope is moderate.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

There are steps to access this area/service.

The steps are located in the Crown Jewels Room.

There are 3 steps to the area/service.

The lighting levels at the steps are low.

The steps are not clearly marked.

The steps are medium.

The steps do have handrails.

The handrails are on both sides.

The steps lead up to a platform to view the Crown Jewels above the moving walkway.

This information is for the entrance located in the north west corner of the site.

There is not level access to the service.

The main doors open away from you (push).

The doors are double width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 145cm (4ft 9in) wide.

The chapel can only be accessed as part of a Yeoman Warder guided tour.

There are steps to access this area/service.

The steps are located leading down to the entrance.

There are 4 steps to the area/service.

The steps are not clearly marked.

The steps are medium.

The steps do have handrails.

The handrails are on both sides.

A stair climber is available to overcome these steps, shown in photograph 2.

There is also a shallow step in front of the entrance.

This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the Tower, opposite Jewell House.

There is not level access to the service.

The main doors open towards you (pull).

The doors are double width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 152cm (4ft 11in) wide.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.

The ramp or slope is easy.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.

The width of the ramp or slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).

The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-G.

There are 15+ steps between floors.

The lighting level is medium.

The steps are not clearly marked.

The steps are medium height.

The steps do have handrails.

The steps have a handrail on both sides.

There is a landing.

To access the other floors of the White Tower there is a combination of steps similar to these and deep, spiral stairs.

There is a lift for public use.

The lift is located just inside the White Tower accessible entrance.

The lift is a standard lift.

The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G.

The lift is 5m (16ft 4in) from the White Tower accessible entrance.

Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.

The dimensions of the lift are 0.75m x 1.4m (2ft 5in x 4ft 7in).

The clear door width is 80cm.

There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.

The lift does have a visual floor indicator.

The lift does not have an audible announcer.

The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.

The lighting level in the lift is medium.

The lift does have Braille markings.

The lift does have tactile markings.

Visitors are accompanied in this lift by a member of staff.

This information is for the entrance located on the south side of the site.

There is not level access to the service.

The main doors open towards you (pull).

The doors are single width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in) wide.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.

The ramp or slope is moderate.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

The width of the ramp or slope is 80cm (2ft 7in).

There are steps to access this area/service.

The steps are located in front of the entrance.

There are 3 steps to the area/service.

The steps are not clearly marked.

The steps are medium.

The steps do not have handrails.

The following information is for the cafe.

Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.

Food or drinks can be brought to the table.

There is a lowered section at the service counter.

No tables are permanently fixed.

No chairs are permanently fixed.

No chairs have armrests.

The nearest table is 7m (22ft 11in) from the New Armouries Cafe entrance.

The distance between the floor and the lowest dining table is 64cm (2ft 1in).

There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.

Menus are available hand held.

Menus are not available in Braille.

Menus are not available in large print.

Picture menus are not available.

Menus are clearly written.

Menus are presented in contrasting colours.

The type of food served here is main meals and snacks.

There is also a cafe kiosk outside by the South Wall and the gift shop.

The cafe closes at 16.00 during the winter.

There are adapted toilets within this venue designated for public use.

Location of and access to adapted toilets

Features and dimensions of adapted toilets

Position of fixtures in adapted toilets

Colour contrast and lighting in adapted toilets

Baby Change Facilities

Baby change facilities are located within the venue.

The baby change facilities are located in the adapted toilet.

There are 2 adapted toilets here. The other has the transfer space on the left, and no baby charge facilities.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located leading up to the adapted toilets.

The ramp or slope is moderate.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.

The width of the ramp or slope is 138cm (4ft 6in).

Availability and Location of Standard Toilets

Standard toilets are available.

Access to Standard Female and Male Toilets

The female and male toilets are located in the south east corner of the site.

The female and male toilets are 130m (142yd) from the main entrance.

Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilet.

Lighting levels are medium.

These toilets are accessed via easy and moderate ramps from the main entrance.

There are also Standard toilets available in the toilet area behind Jewell House. The male toilets here are accessed by steps.

Staff do receive disability awareness training.

Documents are available in Braille.

Documents are available in large print.

Registered assistance dogs are welcomed.

A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.

This service can be requested.

Staff are Text Relay aware.

Plastic cups are available.

Plastic cutlery is available.

Drinking straws are available on request.