Accommodation

Text based on the 2003 guide. All the hotels included have adapted rooms. Details are given of the excellent Rotherhithe youth hostel, and of some camp sites.

Accommodation in London tends to be expensive. However, with the arrival of hotels like Express by Holiday Inn, Ibis, Travel Inns and Travelodge, the provisions have got a great deal better for the disabled visitor wanting reasonably price accommodation. Provisions in the more expensive hotels have improved as well, but not much.

We include hotels in various price ranges, as well as campsites and a good youth hostel. We have concentrated on lower cost accommodation, and included a good number of places with step free access, adapted rooms and, in some cases, wheel-in showers. Some have parking for BB holders while others are quite close to accessible stations.

Choosing where you stay is likely to result from a combination of location, cost and accessibility. There is a 'trade-off' between spending more money in the centre of London, and maybe being able to walk or wheel to many places you want to visit, or staying further out and travelling in - by whatever means. Almost whatever you decide, it will be a compromise.

It is quite difficult getting useful and accurate information. The web, of course, is overloaded with information, but our experience is that a great deal of it is both inaccurate and incomplete.

One slightly bizarre and obtuse issue we discovered when visiting hotels this time is that nearly all of them which offer adapted rooms provide ONLY a double bed in those rooms. Some can offer an additional folding bed, but in some of the rooms there is insufficient space for this. As a double bed would not be the choice of all travellers, it is to be hoped that hotel chains will, in the future, modify this policy. Most offer their able-bodied guests the choice of double beds, single beds and family rooms, and this choice should be extended to their disabled guests as well. Additionally, the hotel chains have adopted different policies with regard to the adapted bathrooms provided. For example, Travel Inns provide a low bath with grab rails, whereas the new Express by Holiday Inn, and some Ibis hotels provide an excellent wheel-in shower facility. We hope that as understanding of peoples practical needs becomes more widespread, that the provisions will continue to improve.

Indicated price information is based on the cost of a double room (or two single rooms in halls of residence) and includes the cost of TWO people staying, including breakfast and VAT. A number of hotels have weekend reductions, which are not taken into account here, and it generally costs less to stay in London during the winter months, compared with the summer. To find out about special deals and reductions, contact the hotel directly. It's generally less easy for disabled visitors to be able to take advantage of 'cheap offers' of accommodation, through agencies, as the conditions attached don't usually allow a choice of room, and sometimes not even of the hotel itself. Several of the managers at Express by Holiday Inn hotels said that because of the provision of double beds, the interconnecting room would normally be made available for a carer without extra charge, although this might not be possible if the hotel is fully booked.

The indicators used should only be used as a rough guide for comparison purposes.

If a hotel is on the borderline, we have used a dual indicator. For example, the Travel Inns, which cost about £50 a night outside the centre, are listed as £/££ If a hotel is on the £80 borderline (±£10) it is rated it as ££/£££. We have listed the information within the various sections by price so that the cheapest places appear first, and the most expensive ones last.

Amongst the best facilities for value and low cost from an access viewpoint are the two ETAP hotels and the Rotherhithe Youth Hostel; for value and location, there are the Travel Inns at County Hall and Tower Bridge, the Premier Lodge and Express by Holiday Inn at Southwark, and the Regent Palace. Finally for five-star ambience and good accessible rooms there are the Copthorne Tara and Thistle Marble Arch, with the Tara offering excellent value if booked through Holiday Care.

'Automated' hotels

We have called the ETAP and Formule 1 hotels 'automated', because they are not run in the conventional way, and there are times of the day when they are not staffed. Around check out time in the morning, generally from 07.00-11.00, and when most people check in, between 17.00 and 20.00, there should be someone at reception. Breakfast is provided for a modest additional charge.

At other times, you can check in to the hotel using a credit card in the slot/screen outside which is rather like a bank cash machine. What you do is to insert your card, and say how long you want to stay. If you want one of the adapted rooms, you must book/reserve this in advance, at which stage you will give a credit card number. When you put the credit card in, it should recognise your booking and allocate you an adapted room. You cannot do this directly on the screen outside. When your booking has been recognised and accepted, you will be given two keypad codes, one to open the main door, and a different one to enable you to get into your room.

In Formule 1, the showers and toilets are situated off the corridors, while in the ETAP hotels, they are en-suite. Because the hotels can be run by a small number of staff, they offer extremely good value. For two or three people travelling together can provide clean and comfortable accommodation for only about £15 or £20 per night each, which for London is very reasonable. When the DLR extension is completed, the ETAP hotel at London City Airport should also be close to accessible transport. Hopefully more of these will be built.

Hotels

W1

Regent Palace Hotel
Piccadilly Circus W1B 5DN
Tel: 0870 400-8703 Fax: 020 7287-0238.
website: www.travelodge.co.uk
Situated at the junction of Glasshouse Street and Sherwood Street, with a nearby NCP on Brewer Street. The hotel is very central, and just off Piccadilly Circus. Flat entrance to dining room, pub (+1 step at the entrance, 15% step-free) and three lifts (D90 W105 L110) which go to all 8 floors. Two adapted rooms with twin beds, of which 3022 seen; D75 bathroom D75 ST95 with wheel-in shower. 3022 is about 40m from lift while 1113 is right by the lift.
£££

Thistle Marble Arch
Bryanston Street, Marble Arch W1H 8AE
Tel: 020 7629-8040 Fax: 0870 333-9216.
e-mail: marblearch@thistle.co.uk
By the junction with Portman Street. NCP 50m with concessionary rates for hotel guests. Main entrance +4 steps and then an escalator to 1st floor reception. A separate entrance to the right has a push button to open which takes you through to a lift (D110 W150 L120) and up to reception. Flat access to dining room, bar and a wheelchair toilet (D85 ST350). Main lifts (D85 W130 L130) to the left of reception give step free access to ten adapted rooms. Six connect with the twin room next door. Room 368 seen: D85 with a remote control to open the door, bathrmD90 to a wheel-in shower with a folding seat and ST85.
££££

Marriott Hotel Marble Arch
134 George Street W1H 6DN
Tel: 020 7723-1277 Fax: 020 7402-0666
By the junction with Forest Street. UGCP on two floors with step free lift access. Main entrance on Forest Street with revolving door which can be bypassed easily. Step free to reception and restaurant. Bar is +3 steps with an open lift (D90 W100) to bypass them Lifts (D100 W120 L200) go to one adapted room on the 1st floor. Not seen. Wheelchair toilet (D80 ST100) on the GF opposite the bar. On entering the hotel go to the right of reception, past the lifts, and it's a little further along, on your left.
££££

W2

Columbia Hotel
95-99 Lancaster Gate W2 3NS
Tel: 020 7402-0021 Fax: 7706-4691.
e-mail: columbiahotel@btconnect.com
Situated off the Bayswater Road about half way between Queensway and Lancaster Gate tube stations. Parking for up to 6 cars. There's an NCP at Queensway. Entrance +2 steps, ramped, and then step free to reception, loungs, bar and restaurant. Lift (D80 W120 L135 to all four floors. One adapted room, no 212, seen: D80 bathroomD80 ST70, with a low level bath with rails and a seat at the back. Wheelchair toilet (D80 ST100+) on the GF past the bar and restaurant on the left. Normally locked, but ask at reception for the key.
££/£££

W8

Copthorne Tara
Scarsdale Place, Kensington W8 5SR
Tel: 020 7937-7211 Fax: 020 7872-2509 Off Wrights Lane, about 250m from Kensington High Street. UGCP without lift access, but valet parking is available. Flat entrance. Five lifts (D115 W190 L135). Step free access to all facilities. Ten well adapted rooms, catering for people with a wide range of disabilities, and eight now have a wheel-in shower. Wheelchair toilets (D70+ ST70+) on the GF and the mezzanine. Big hotel with long distances inside. Book through Holiday Care (Tel: 01293-774535) for a significant discount. HC membership costs about £20/year.
££/£££ (with discount)

WC1

Langland Hotel
29 Gower Street, Bloomsbury WC1E 6HJ
Tel: 020 7636-5801 Fax: 020 7580-2227
e-mail: langlandhotel@lineone.net
50m north of the junction with Keppel Street. NCP in Bedford Square. Main entrance +2+1 steps to foyer, then -4 to reception. Four GFBs are step free from the foyer. Two have a bathroom and shower. Rooms 14 and 15 have a shower and toilet. The GF toilet is -4 from the foyer via a passage 68cm wide, D71cm and no ST. The dining room is downstairs, but they will serve breakfast in your room.
££

Travel Inn Euston Road
1 Duke's Road WC1H 9PJ
Tel: 0870 238-3301 Fax: 020 7554-3419
A large blue building on the junction with Euston Road. Three BB spaces in CP under the hotel accessed off Duke's road. The main entrance is step free. Accessible restaurant, bar and wheelchair toilet (D70+ ST70+) on GF. Three lifts (D85 W140 L140) give access to all other floors. Fifteen adapted rooms all with low level bath and double beds. A single bed can be added if requested. Room 103 seen, D80 bathroom D80 ST120. It had the extra single bed in, which made the room somewhat cramped. The hotel is located within 500m of Euston, St. Pancras and King's Cross stations.
££/£££

Royal National Hotel
Bedford Way WC1H 0DG
Tel: 020 7637-2488 Fax: 020 7837-4653.
e-mail: info@imperialhotels.co.uk
Vast hotel with over 1600 rooms spread over two wings, situated in courtyard between Bedford Way and Woburn Place, north of Russell Square Gardens. Contains a number of restaurants, bars, and shops. There is an UGCP run by NCP with lift access to hotel and a flat entrance to the foyer and lifts. All GF facilities are step-free except -1 in North Breakfast room. Eighteen numbered lifts (D90 W160 L100) give access to the seven floors. Ten adapted rooms, all twins, but of two different types.3057 has D90 to bathroom and no ST but has handrails and seat in bath; 1224 has D80 and D80 ST80 in bathroom and a pole but no handrails at end of bath. Wheelchair cubicles (not seen) in gents and ladies by Confectionary Shop near South Reception. Wheelchair toilet (D85 ST80) which is kept locked, 30m to right of North Reception. Because of the sheer size of the hotel, you may have to go up to 200m between facilities.
££/£££

Bonnington Hotel
92 Southampton Row WC1B 4BH
Tel: 020 7242-2828 Fax: 020 7831-9170
e-mail: sales@bonnington.com
Main entrance with both revolving and conventional doors. Flat to three lifts (one D70 W91 L193; two D65 W70+ L70+), bar, and dining room which has +2 steps to some parts. No GFBs. Four adapted rooms. Room 213 seen: D87, bathroom D88 with ST. Wheelchair toilet (D85 ST110) on the GF 30m past reception and the bar, by an emergency exit.
££££

Radisson Edwardian Marlborough Hotel
9-13 Bloomsbury Street WC1B 3QD
Tel: 020 7636-5601 Fax: 020 7636-0532
e-mail: resmar1@radisson.com
On the corner with Bloomsbury Street, 200m from British Museum. Valet parking available for nearby NCP. Ramped entrance and step-free access to two lifts (D75 W105 L135), dining room and bar. Four adapted rooms. Room 118 seen: D88, bathroom D75 ST70. Wheelchair cubicles (D90 ST100) in the ladies and gents toilets, to the left past reception, through the double doors labelled Glass Bar, then right.
££££

The Grange Holborn Hotel
50-60 Southampton Row WC1B 4AR
Tel: 020 7242-1800 Fax: 020 7404-1641
website: www grangehotels.com
e-mail: holborn@grangehotels.co.uk
Located on corner of Southampton Row and Vernon Place, opposite Cochrane Theatre. No parking on site but NCP nearby. Step-free entrance with lifts (D90 W130 L130) to all floors. Public restaurant on first floor is step-free, and wheelchair toilet (D85 ST85) before restaurant entrance on left. Pool in basement can be reached step-free by asking staff, though there are still -4 steps to the poolside. Four adapted rooms with double bed, D80 bathroomD85 ST75. The bath has grab rails, and staff can fit a chair/seat to the bath on request.
££££

WC2

Thistle Hotel Charing Cross
Strand, WC2N 5HX
Tel: 0870333-9105 Fax: 0870 333-9205.
website: www.thistlehotels.com
e-mail: Charing.X@Thistle.co.uk or reservations.charingX@thistle.co.uk Just on the right as you come out of Charing Cross station, there is one BB space by entrance for short term parking; two possible longer term spaces can be arranged with prior warning. There are unavoidable cobbles outside the entrance through large revolving door, or through a door to the right, opened from inside with a bell (height 130). GF has small public bar (D82) with 1cm lip, as well as two lifts (D85 W125 L160) to all floors. On first floor are step-free restaurant and step-free lounge bar to right and left of lifts respectively, with wheelchair toilet (D75 ST110) to left from lounge bar. Two adapted rooms, of which we saw 210: D85 with double bed and possible door to next-door room. Bathroom has D85 ST100 and wheel-in shower.
££££

NW1

Hotel Ibis Euston
3 Cardington Street, Euston NW1 2LW
Tel: 020 7388-7777 Fax: 020 7388-0001
e-mail: 80921@accor-hotels.com
Right by Euston Station on the corner of Drummond Street. Four BB spaces on ground level on the staff CP on request. Flat main entrance. Step free to reception, bar and restaurant. Two lifts (D100 W140 L140). Eight adapted rooms. Rooms 135 & 235 seen: D75cm, bathroom D74cm, ST100. They have four rooms with twin beds, and four with a double. Some have a connecting room. All have a low level bath with grab rails. Adapted toilet (D61 ST70) on the GF. Key from reception. Go straight on through the bar area, and it's on the far side on the right, and immediately right down to the end of the corridor. Then on the right.
££/£££

SE1

Travel Inn County Hall
County Hall, Belvedere Road SE1 7PB
Tel: 0870 238-3300 Fax: 020 7902 1619
Located in County Hall with the main entrance some 25m from the junction with Chicheley Street. Two BB spaces available, there are other BB spaces up to 500m away on Belvedere Road and also in nearby public CPs. Main entrance +15 steps (with HR). Alternative step free route involves going through the big black security gates by the junction with Chicheley Street. There are always security staff on duty by the gates and this route also leads to the BB spaces. This partially sloped route is about 60m long and gives access to the basement. Three lifts (D85 W160 L150) give access to all five floors. Step free restaurant/bar and wheelchair toilet (D70+ ST70+) are all on the GF. There are 13 adapted bedrooms all with low level bath and double beds, a single bed can be added if requested. Room 205 seen which was easily big enough to take an extra bed. D80 bathroom D75 (sliding) ST75. The hotel is very centrally located which compensates for the hassle getting in and out.
££/£££

Travel Inn Tower Bridge
159 Tower Bridge Road SE1 3LP
Tel: 0870 238-3303 Fax: 020 7940-3719
On the west side of TB Road at the junction with Tanner Street. Parking, accessed from Tanner Street with twelve BB spaces. Flat to reception. Restaurant and bar on the GF with about 50% step free, and some high bar tables as well. Three lifts (D75 W90 L125). Twelve adapted rooms, two on each floor, including the GF. All have double beds and low level bath with rails. Room 2 seen with D85, bathroomD80, ST80. Wheelchair toilet (D85 ST70) on the GF opened by using a guest card.
££/£££

Days Inn
54 Kennington Road SE1 7BJ
Tel: 020 7922-1331 Fax: 020 7922-1441
e-mail: waterloo@daysinn.com
Located very near the Imperial War Museum by the junction between Kennington Road and Cosser Street, near the Lambeth Road. It is nearly 1 km from Waterloo Station. CP with two BB spaces. Step free entrance. Inside the bar and restaurant are both on the GF. Two lifts (D80 W110 L140) go to all five floors. There are 2 adapted GFBs, and one adapted room on each floor (6 in total). Our survey team saw one of these with D85 and wheel-in shower D85 ST150. Adapted toilet (D85 ST65) to the left of reception. Go through the double doors to the left of the lifts and follow the corridor.
££/£££

Express by Holiday Inn Southwark
103 Southwark Street SE1 1EA
Tel: 020 7401-2525 Fax:020 7401-3322
e-mail: stay@expresssouthwark.co.uk
Located at the junction with Bear Lane. No on-site parking. Main entrance +3 steps, but there's a step free route about 30m away. Go round the hotel to the right and use the 'deliveries' entrance at the back. On the GF the reception, bar and restaurant are all step free. Five adapted rooms reached via the lift (D80 W120 L85). All have double beds, wheel-in showers, and interconnect with another room. Room 103 seen, D85 bathroomD75 ST100. Wheelchair toilet (D85 ST80) on the GF, to the left of reception and through a door. It is near the step free entrance.
£££

Premier Lodge, Bankside
Anchor Inn, Bankside SE1 9EF
Tel: 0870 700-1456 Fax: 0870 700-1457
e-mail: southwark@premierlodge.co.uk
The hotel is attached to the Anchor Inn, and its entrance is in Bank End, opposite Vinopolis. Go through the arch over slightly rough paving to find reception on your left. One BB space in the CP outside. There are three adapted rooms, all on the GF. Room 4 seen: D75, bathroomD75 ST70 with a bath with grab rails. All have double beds, and there's just enough room for a Z-bed. Breakfast is served in the Chart Room on an upper floor of the Anchor pub. This is reached from the hotel via a lift (D75 W95 L130) and an open lift (D80 L120). There is a wheelchair toilet (D85 ST70) in the hotel level with the Chart Room. Access to the main parts of the pub is from the riverside.
££/£££

E1

Thistle Tower Hotel
St Katherine's Way E1 9LD
Tel: 0870 333-9106/9206 Fax: 020 7481-3799.
e-mail: tower.businesscentre@thistle.co.uk
By the northern end of Tower Bridge by the river. Relatively expensive, but well-located. On-site CP with one BB space at ground level and one in UGCP with valet parking. Step-free access from the east. Ramp bypasses +2 at entrance. Lift (D100 W170 L140) to dining-room, bar and wheelchair cubicles (D70 ST90) in ladies and gents on upper foyer level. Two adapted rooms with double beds and no adjoining room on first floor reached by four lifts. Room 105 seen: D85 Bathroom D85 ST125 with wheel-in shower.
££££

SE10

Hotel Ibis Greenwich
30 Stockwell Street, Greenwich SE10 9JN
Tel: 020 8305-1177 Fax: 020 8858-7139.
website: www.ibishotel.com
On the corner of Greenwich High Street. Large pay and display CP at back. Entrance +4 bypassed by a ramp. Flat to dining room and lift (D80 W105 L135). Two adapted rooms: D80 bathroom D85 ST85 with wheel-in shower. Wheelchair toilet (D75 ST70) to left of reception. Located close to the new DLR station.
££/£££

Express by Holiday Inn London-Greenwich
Bugsbys Way, Greenwich, SE10 0GD
Tel:020 8269-5000 Fax: 020 8269-5069.
website: www.hiexpress.com
Located one mile from Greenwich Tube, by the junction with John Harrison Way. Eight BB spaces by front entrance, which is step-free. Two lifts at GF entrance (D90 W95 L125) provide step-free access to all seven floors. Reception, breakfast/tea & coffee area, and wheelchair toilet (D93 ST 150) are all on the first floor. Ten adapted bedrooms, two on each floor 2-6. Four are for smokers. Room 203 seen: D75, Bathroom D75 ST100 with a wheel-in shower.
£££

SW11

Travelodge, Battersea
200 York Road, Battersea, SW11 3SA
Tel: 0870 1911-688 (central reservations) 0870 0850-950.
website: www.travelodge.co.uk
Large blue and white building on corner with Gartons Way. There are four BB spaces in CP off Gartons Way, opposite Homebase, from which there is a ramped entrance with an intercom. From York Road, there is a step-free entrance but it is through a revolving door so the CP entrance may be better. No bar or restaurant. Two telephones (one lowered) and a freephone for taxi hire. Four adapted bedrooms all with double beds are on the GF. The one we saw has D75 and wheelchair bathroom (D85 ST 90) with handrails all around the bath. Two lifts (D75 W130 L110) go to all other floors.
££/£££

SW18

Express by Holiday Inn Wandsworth
Smugglers Way, Wandsworth SW18 1EG
Tel: 020 8877-5950 Fax: 020 8877-0631
e-mail: wandsworth@oriel-leisure.co.uk
Located in an industrial area behind a BP petrol station, and near the Thames about 700m west of Wandsworth Bridge. Smugglers Way is off Swandon Road. CP with 35 spaces including two for BB holders. Step free to reception, bar and breakfast room. Two lifts (D90 W100 L130). Eight adapted bedrooms, seven of them on the GF. All are double bedded, with an interconnecting room. All have a wheel-in shower. Room seen no 100: D75 bathroomD80 ST100+. Wheelchair toilet (D85 ST70) on the GF.
£££

E14

Ibis Hotel Docklands
1 Baffin Way E14 9PE,
Tel: 020 7517-1100 Fax: 020 7987-5916
Situated at the junction with Preston's Road south of the A2161 flyover and interchange. The area is rapidly developing and changing. The step free way in to get to the main door is an opening in the wall opposite Gaselee Street. CP outside with two BB spaces. Between the CP and the hotel is a gate which is locked at night with an intercom H140. Step free to reception, bar and restaurant. The hotel is about 400m from the Blackwall DLR station reached by going across Preston's Road towards the DLR sign Then go down the 50m slope and under the flyover. Turn right and up the slope to the station. There's a shorter way at road level but involving several kerbs.
££

E15

Ibis Stratford
1A Romford Road, Stratford E15 4LJ
Tel: 020 8536-3700 Fax: 020 8519-5161
Well located about 500m from Stratford which has accessible transport links to Liverpool Street, and via the Jubilee line and DLR. It is also near Stratford Circus with opportunities for theatre, shopping and eating out. Parking for disabled guests may be possible by prior arrangement. Step free everywhere using lift D80 W100 L140. Note that all the rooms have king-size double beds, and there are no twin bedded rooms. Six adapted rooms with wheel-in showers D80+ ST80+. Room 205 seen with one of the best adapted bathrooms we've seen anywhere. We were told that the others were the same, and that Ibis policy was to provide this design everywhere. It had a fold-down seat, an internal curtain so that you can keep your chair dry, and very adequate space and support bars etc. GF restaurant/bar with wheelchair toilet (D70+ ST70+).
££/£££

E16

ETAP Hotel London City Airport
North Woolwich Road, Silvertown, E16 2EE
Tel: 020 7474-9106 Fax: 020 7474-9347.
website: www.etaphotel.com
e-mail: E5840@accor-hotels.com
Well-priced, this automated hotel is located on right of North Woolwich Road coming from City just after roundabout with Esso Petrol Station, and opposite Oriental Road. On-site CP has 4 BB spaces. Flat entrance with automatic reception (80cm high) which takes Visa or Mastercard, confirms reservation and takes payment for first night only. Flat access to GF which has reception desk, breakfast room and lift (D90 W105 L140) to all floors. Four adapted rooms, two each on first and second floors. Room seen 201: D80 Bathroom D75 ST160 with handrails for wheel-in shower. The adapted rooms have a double-bed and an upper bunk for a third person. Adapted toilet (D75 ST95 inward door) on corridor to right past reception (staff have the key). The adapted rooms need to be booked in advance.
£

Express by Holiday Inn Royal Docks
1 Silvertown Way, Silvertown E16 1EA
Tel: 020 7540-4040 Fax: 020 7540-4050
e-mail: info@exhi-royaldocks.co.uk
Located between Brunel Street and Shirley Street. On-site CP entered from Brunel Street and 3 BB spaces by the main entrance. It is about 150m from Canning Town station on the JLE and DLR. Step free to reception, bar and restaurant. Four adapted bedrooms reached via the lift (D80 W105 L140). All have double beds, wheel-in showers and interconnect with another room. Room 202 seen, D85 bathroomD75 ST115. Wheelchair toilet (D85 ST70) on the GF to the left of reception.
£££

Barking, Essex

F1 Formule 1Hotel
Highbridge Road, Barking, Essex IG11 7BA
Tel: 020 8507-0789 Fax: 020 8394-0750.
website: www.hotelformule1.com
Road access from North Circular (A406) southbound. 2 BB spaces in CP by Highbridge Road next to Tesco CP. Automated hotel with reception only open Monday-Saturday 6.30-10am and 5-10pm and Sunday 7-10am. At other times it is necessary to use a keyboard and screen rather like a bank cash machine to check in. This is 140-150cm in height and 40cm set back from wall. Step-free breakfast room on GF. Four adapted rooms on GF with D80 and sink. These need to be pre-booked by phone, as the automated system does not give you the option of booking one of these rooms. You need a credit card to validate your booking on arrival. In the adapted rooms, the double bed has been turned round to provide space for a chair user, but one side of the bed is then against the wall. Shared wheel-in shower-room and toilet on the GF with D80 ST80. The hotel is functional, and provides good value.
£

ETAP Hotel Barking
Highbridge Road, Barking, Essex IG11 7BA
Tel: 020 8507-8500 Fax: 020 8591-8700.
website: www.etaphotel.com
Reached from A406 southbound. CP with 2 BB spaces spaces by Highbridge Road, after Tesco CP entrance. Entrance +1 from CP with automated reception (see above). Breakfast area and lift (D80 W95 L125) to all floors on GF. Four adapted rooms, two on GF, one each on first and second floors, with D85, double bed with single bunk above, bathroom D85 ST90 with wheel-in shower (seat height 45cm). Wheelchair toilet (D90 ST95 with basin behind toilet) on GF. The adapted rooms need to be booked in advance.
£

Near Gatwick Airport

Premier Lodge Gatwick Airport
London Road, Lowfield Heath, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9ST
Tel: 0870 700-1388 Fax: 0870 700-1389.
website: www.premierlodge.com
From Junction 9A of M23 follow signs to Gatwick Airport North Terminal Roundabout then for A23 Crawley. The hotel is next to Gatwick Manor House Pub. Large CP with 5 BB spaces. Step-free to reception, lift (D80 W90 L130) to all floors and sloped corridor to the breakfast room (only 30% is flat). Adapted toilet (D85 ST105) where the door opened inward, and was blecked by a table, on right of corridor to Tythe Barn. Four adapted rooms on GF, all double-bedded and non-smoking. Room seen 110: D75 Bathroom (D85 ST70) has low bath with grabrail but no seat. We were told other rooms were identical. Restaurant and bar in Gatwick Manor House pub to left of hotel entrance. Entrance +1 step, but inside the whole area is step-free, apart from ±1 up a ramp which bypasses +2 and reaches 20% of GF and adapted toilet (D85 ST65). Beer Garden +2.
££

Premier Lodge Gatwick (South)
Crawley Avenue, Gossops Green, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 8NF
Tel: 0870 700-1392 Fax: 0870 700-1393.
website: www.premierlodge.com
Just under five miles from Gatwick Airport, this hotel is located adjacent to the petrol station on Crawley Avenue. 5 BB spaces in CP just next to step-free entrance leading to flat GF with reception desk, 100% flat bar and restaurant and lift (D80 W100 L140) to all three floors. Four adapted rooms on GF are double-bedded and non-smoking. Room seen 3: D75 and bathroom D70 ST70. Wheelchair toilet (D85 ST75) on GF past the bar desk.
££

Camping & caravan sites

Perhaps a tent is not the most obvious accommodation for someone visiting London. However, many disabled people go camping, and the relatively low cost can make it an attractive proposition. At peak times it is sensible to book in advance. In our view the London campsites are reasonably well adapted. Note that the sites have provision for only one wheelchair toilet and/or bathroom which could be a problem if your visit coincided with that of several other chair users or other disabled people.

Approximate opening times are given here but they may vary from year to year. Most of the sites cost less than £7 per person per night.

Crystal Palace Camping and Caravan Site
Crystal Palace Parade, SE19 1UF
Tel: 020 8778-7155.
Near the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Terraced site with sloped tarmac paths and gravel chip/grass pitches. Ramped office. Wheelchair toilet and shower with fold down seat replaces facilities there which were separately in the ladies and gents areas. Open all year round.
£

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park (Dobbs Weir)
Charlton Meadows, Essex Road, Dobbs Weir, Hoddesdon, Herts EN11 0AS
Tel: 01992-462090.
Take the Hoddesdon exit from the A10 and follow signs to Dobbs Weir. A 16 acre site with beautiful riverside surroundings and some on-site fishing spots with step free access. Reasonably flat with tarmac paths and grass pitches. A new combined wheelchair toilet and shower (with a pull down seat), has been built, which is step free. Open April-October.
£

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park (Edmonton)
Meridian Way, Edmonton N9 0AS
Tel: 020 8803-6900.
Situated behind the (ex)-leisure centre, with flat access, tarmac paths and grass pitches. Ramp to two wheelchair toilets and showers (D90 ST70). The shower is wheel-in, with a seat. Open all the year round, though in winter. Shop with step free access via a very small lip.
£

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park (Chingford)
Sewardstone Road, Chingford, E4 7RA
Tel: 020 8529-5689.
On A112 between Chingford and Waltham Abbey about 4km south of junction 26 on the M25. Gently sloping site with tarmac paths and grass pitches. Reception and shop, ramped. Combined wheelchair toilet/shower (D75 ST160) with ramped access, grab bars and a movable plastic chair. Open March-October.
£

Youth hostels

There are seven Youth Hostels in the London area with varied degrees of accessibility. It is really only the Rotherhithe one that is of interest to people with disabilities. The hostels provide inexpensive accommodation for both individuals and groups. Accommodation is mainly in small dormitories or family rooms. They are only open to members but membership is available on arrival. Opening times and charges are detailed in a booklet from the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) Trevelyan House, 8 St Stephen's Hill, St Albans, Herts, AL1 2DY Tel: 01727-855215. Hostels are mainly for young people but there is no age limit, and people of all ages use them.

Booking is essential especially if you have specific requirements. The Rotherhithe YH has good adapted rooms. The provision was made under the auspices of the London Hotel for Disabled People Project who also sponsored the adapted rooms in the Copthorne Tara Hotel. Please note that for comparison purposes, the indicated prices relate to the cost of TWO people staying. Prices were around £25 to £30 per person in 2002.

Rotherhithe YH
Island Yard, Salter Road, SE16 1PP
Tel: 020 7232-2114 Fax: 020 7237-2919
e-mail: rotherhithe@yha.org.uk
The hostel is about 600m from Canada Water underground station. No on-site CP but plenty of parking on the road nearby. Flat to reception, restaurant and lounge/bar and a low-level pay-phone. There are six adapted bedrooms, two on each floor. Step free access throughout via two lifts (D80 W105 L150). The adapted rooms have two normal beds and one bunk-bed. Bathroom and toilet en suite with a sliding door. Flat access shower with hand rails and ST80+ to the padded seat with an adjustable back. Toilet with ST70+. There is an adapted toilet (D85 ST65) on the left as you enter the hostel. They have a policy of keeping the adapted rooms available for disabled visitors for as long as possible. However, since the facilities are such good value they are liable to get booked up, especially at peak times. About 150m away on the riverside is an excellent and accessible pub, the Spice Island.
£/ ££