Updated Information

These pages include new information gathered since the publication of the 2003 guide. Some is completely new, and the rest consists of revisions to the text, because things have changed.

GENERAL INFORMATION (pages 9-13)

Directory enquiries numbers (page 12)

Since we wrote the guide, the central number (192) that has been used for directory enquiries for many years has been phased out. It is being replaced by several different and competing services whose tariffs are all different, so it's quite confusing. The quoted rates were correct in June 2003.

The new numbers include:

There is a free directory enquiries number for disabled people. It is run by BT, and the number is 195. Anyone who cannot hold, handle or read a phone book can use the service. To register, you will need to fill in an application form and provide some evidence of your disability Tel: 0800 587-0195.

SPECIALISED INFORMATION (pages 14-34)

Can be Done (page 15) have moved to:

11 Woodcock Hill, Harrow, Middlesex HA3 0XP
Tel: 020 8907-2400 Fax: 020 8909-1854
e-mail: holidays@canbedone.co.uk

Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) (page 16) has moved to 70 South Lambeth Road, SW8 1RL

Tel/textphone: 020 7840-0125
website: www.cae.org.uk e-mail: info@cae.org.uk

Designing to enable (page 31)

The Gateshead Access Panel from whom to get this book have moved to:
Unit K38, The Avenues,
Eleventh Avenue North,
Team Valley, Gateshead NE11 0NJ
Tel: 0191 443-0058
website: www.access.gateshead.dsl.pipex.com
e-mail: access.gateshead@dsl.pipex.com

PLACES OF INTEREST (pages 125-174)

The Roof Gardens (new information for Kensington and Chelsea, page 156)

99, Kensington High Street W8 5ED
Tel: 020 7937-7994 Fax: 020 7938-2774
website: www.roofgardens.com

Overlooking Kensington from the back of the old Derry's department store is one and a half acres of spectacular garden, with trees, ponds, tropical plants and even flamingoes ! The gardens on the sixth floor are open to the public throughout the day, and are available as a setting for 'corporate events'. On the seventh floor is the Babylon restaurant. Access to the gardens is from a totally unmarked entrance under the canopy some 60m down Derry Street on the right. Inside the doors is a security guard, and the +3 steps at the front can by bypassed by a ramp 10m away, but you need to get another door opened. From the foyer, the lifts on the right go to floors six and seven, but only the left-hand lift goes to the seventh floor restaurant.

On floor six, turn left to get out into the gardens, and once outside, go right. There is then a step-free though slightly bumpy path which goes round about 80% of the gardens which cover about 100m by 40m. The Babylon restaurant has an adapted toilet (D70 ST60), and it is step-free both to the balcony where there are tables, and you can enjoy a drink, and to most of the tables in the restaurant.

ENTERTAINMENT (pages 242-317)

Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith (page 312)

Lyric Square, King Street, Hammersmith W6 0QL
Tel: BO 08700 500-511 Textphone: 020 8741-3119 Fax: 020 8741-3119
website: www.lyric.co.uk e-mail: tickets@lyric.co.uk Tel: M 020 8741-0824
A new theatre entrance has been built on Lyric Square (opposite the Hop Poles pub) with a café at street level. It's about 300m from the (accessible) Hammersmith tube stations. Step free entrance to the box office from the side near the Metropolitan line station. There's a new lift (D80 W140 L130) up to the theatre level, and they have renumbered the floors. On the first floor, from the new lift, there's an education and training room, and an adapted toilet (D90 ST85, but with an inward opening door). From the second floor where there's a café and bar, there's a step free link to level 5 in the Kings Mall CP, with several BB spaces. It's nearly 250m along a somewhat dingy passageway. The Studio is on this level, with up to 2 chair spaces. The Stalls level of the main theatre is on the third floor, reached by one of the older lifts (D80 W100 L110), and has 3 chair spaces. The Circle and Upper Circle both involve steps, though you can get close using the older lifts. Adapted toilet (D69 ST90) on the second floor near the lifts, and wheelchair cubicles in the ladies (D70 ST 90), and the gents (D75 ST70) on the third floor, also near the lifts. Both theatres have an infra-red sound system with personal neck loops and headsets available. There is also an induction loop in both theatres.

TRAVELLING AND GETTING AROUND (pages 35-82)

Earls Court underground station (map pp 72/73)

The lifts from the District line platforms and the upper walkway have (at last) been completed. This means that the station is now full accessible with step free exits to both the Earls Court Road exit (via a ramp) and the Warwick Road exit.

We are told that East Ham, Fulham Broadway, Hounslow East and Kilburn underground stations are now also fully accessible with lifts that are now operational.

DaRT (page 81) is now known as Transport for All, and has moved to Units 1&2, 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA Tel: 020 7737-2339. For the TransportforAll magazine, the contacts are: Tel: 020 7738-4890
website: www.transportforall.com
e-mail: contactus@transportforall.com

Tate to Tate boat (new information)

During 2003 a new riverboat service was started linking the two Tate galleries (Tate Britain and Tate Modern). It's a nice way to travel if you want to visit both galleries. However at both ends there's a long walk/wheel. At Tate Modern the pier entrance is by the Globe Theatre, and with the long sloping ramps down to the boat, it's probably about 400m from the gallery. At Tate Britain it's a little closer, but there's still a distance of about 250m.

Although the brochure claims that the route is 'fully wheelchair accessible' there's only a ramp at one end of the boat, and when we used it, people were getting on and off at the other end. There was a 20cm step, as well as a small gap to get on board, and the boat may well be bobbing up and down a bit if there's other traffic on the river. In the cabin there is no provision for a chair user, other than in the corridor/passageway. The disabled person's toilet on the boat we were on was temporarily out of use. An electric chair user might find it quite difficult to use the boat, and we would describe it as being 'accessible, but with a few possible problems' (as we have described).

ACCOMMODATION (pages 83-123)

Ramada Encore Hotel (new information for outer London west)

4, Portal Way, Gipsy Corner, Acton W3 6RT
Tel: 0870-0667123 Fax: 0870-0667144 e-mail: enquiries@encorelondonwest.co.uk
website: www.encorelondonwest.co.uk
A new hotel on the A40 coming into London, about 2 km from the Hangar Lane gyratory system. The CP is gated, and approached from behind the hotel. If going east, turn left at the Gipsy Corner lights when you can see the hotel in front of you on the left. Then take the first right. Two BB spaces. No CP charge for residents. A ramp to the left bypasses the steps, and the GF, with reception, bar and restaurant is all step free. Two lifts (D80 W90 L200). Twelve adapted rooms with the choice of twin or double beds, and with wheel-in showers. D80 bathroom D80, and ST70. The only obvious design feature lacking was a curtain around the shower area. Wheelchair toilet (D80 ST80) on the GF near the dining area. It's a hotel built in an industrial area, so there's nothing much around it, and the nearest accessible underground station is Hammersmith.
Price band ££/£££

DAYS OUT (pages 216-245)

Windsor Castle (page 225)

Tel: 020 7321-2233, the central number for the Royal Collection
website: www.royal.gov.uk.
The Castle is magnificent, and is one of the Queen's official residences - regularly used for major events. These include banquets for visiting dignitaries and the ceremony of knighting new members of the Order of the Garter (one of the highest honours that the Queen can bestow).
Windsor Riverside Station has step free access, and can be reached from Waterloo using South-West trains. There is a wheelchair toilet (D70+ ST70+ NKS) to the right of the Wine Bar. The station is situated at the bottom of the hill on which the castle is built (and the hill isn't shown on town plan maps which can therefore be misleading). Parking in the vicinity of the castle is difficult and the main CPs are all at the bottom of the hill. Most of the long-term CPs are more than 500m from the Castle entrance, but it is possible to drop someone off, and then go and park - though that can be somewhat long-winded. Parking for BB holders is free in the CPs off the Datchet Road past the Riverside Station. There are a tiny number of BB spaces in the town. Three are on Thames Street about 200m from the Castle, but your chances of finding a space are small, unless you arrive very early. Unfortunately no provisions can be made for disabled people to park inside the castle grounds, and that's partly because of the tighter security necessary these days.

Access to the castle grounds is generally fairly good, although it's hilly and big, and the authorities have gone to considerable lengths to make a visit easier for disabled visitors. Most chair users would need a pusher. To visit the Castle and see the Chapel and State Apartments involves a total distance of about 1km from the Visitors Centre seeing everything, and getting back to the exit. Most of the paths are of smooth tarmac but there's about 30m of cobbles by the exit gate.

The Visitor Centre and Ticket Office are at the top of Castle Hill, on the right and on the corner of St Albans Street. There's a ramped kerb, and a further ramp to bypass the +10 steps to the ticket office. There's a ramp out on the far side after the bag search. There are two wheelchair toilets (D70+ ST70+ NKS) by the Guidebooks and Recorded Tours desks. As there are two, they are arranged with ST from opposite sides (an excellent provision). If you want to make the most of your visit, getting a 'recorded tour' is well worth considering.

From here, the route takes you up towards the Round Tower, and you can go through the Castle Exhibition which has very small [2cm] lips at the entrance and slightly larger [6cm] lips at the exit.

For the step free route to the impressive State Apartments, go into Engine Court and ask the warder at the Side Door Entrance. The route bypasses about 80 steps. There is a ramp leading to the GF with the China Museum and the Queens Dolls House, now totally accessible. A lift (D80 W90 L115) will take you up to the State Apartments if you ask one of the warders. There is step free access to the whole area, including the St Georges Hall, now beautifully restored after the fire about ten years ago. Chair users are now able to bypass the 5 steps en route to the newly opened apartments in the East Wing, although, again, you'll have to ask a warder.

St George's Chapel has superb perpendicular architecture and houses the tombs of George VI and of the Queen Mother. Entrance +2+1 steps. Alternative step free access is available from the north entrance, but you have to ask for the route to be opened. They are planning to install a bell at the entrance to make it easier to attract attention. Inside, most of the steps are ramped, and it is planned to make these ramps slightly less steep, with a warder nearby to help if needed. There will still be 3 single steps en route which are not ramped.
In the Chapel, there was an interesting device called a Stairmate, providing a platform mounted on tracks rather like those on a tank. IF you had trouble getting up the steps and ramps in the Chapel then this might enable you to get around and see it all, with a guided tour as well.
From the Chapel, the main route to the Albert Memorial Chapel at the east end is via +3 steps, and for some reason it is not planned to ramp these. The official route out is back via the north door and round the west end of the chapel to the Memorial Chapel exit - involving a considerable distance. The Memorial chapel can now only be seen through the door, as having too many visitors is likely to damage the floor. It has beautifully marbled walls.

There's an adapted toilet (D85 ST65 NKS) located in Engine Court, next to the shop, and a wheelchair toilet (D85 ST80) is on the north terrace to the left of the Dolls House entrance.
Note that there aren't many seats in the grounds, although you'll find some in the Jubilee Garden, and more by the shops in the Middle Ward, and Engine Court. Because of the sheer size of the Castle, if your walking ability is limited, you can ask to borrow one of the wheelchairs available from the Visitors Centre.

In Windsor itself, there is a wheelchair toilet (D85 ST80 NKS) in Windsor Central Station between La Tasca and Costa Coffee. The station is now a huge and lively area with many shops and restaurants. The King and Castle Wetherspoons pub on Thames Street has a wheelchair toilet on the GF, but there are only a few accessible tables, and the building is full of split levels.

New entries and information gathered since the guide was published

SHOPS (pages 371-393)

Top Shop (page 382) on the corner of Oxford Street and Regent Street has closed, and been replaced by Niketown London which sells a wide range of sportswear and equipment. Step free entrance, and two lifts (D100 W200 L150) go to the upper floors. Wheelchair toilet (D80 ST70) on the third floor just to the right of the lift. Babychange facility - but the door has no 'vacant/engaged' sign. ST blocked by large portable bin.

Allders (new information)

499-517 Oxford Street W1C 2BB
Tel: 020 7855-4300
website: www.allders.com
A sizeable new department store on three floors. Located at the Marble Arch end of Oxford Street and on the south side, at the junction with Park Street. The entrance on the corner has +3 steps, but there are two step free entrances a little further down Oxford Street towards Marble Arch, under the blue canopies. Step free throughout with two lifts (D100 W150 L200) at the back of the shop, past the escalators. Wheelchair toilet (D80 ST80 with babychange facility) on the first floor near the café, and well signed.

Stanfords (new information)

12-14 Long Acre WC2E 9LP
Tel: 020 7836-1321 Fax: 020 7836-0189
website: www.stanfords.co.uk
One of the largest shops in the world stocking maps and guides. +1 step from Long Acre, but step free at the back from Floral Street. The shop has recently been modernised and made accessible with a lift (D75 W85 L125) to all floors.

GOOD LOO GUIDE (pages 423-432)

The good loo guide listing (page 423). See above for loo details. Add: Allders, 499 Oxford Street on the south side near Marble Arch, about half way between numbers 2 and 36 on the map on p 424. Change: Top Shop to Niketown London number 10 on the map on p 424.