Accessible Britain

It’s the colour of the pitch – such a bright green against the red and grey of the stadium
– that hits you as you wheel out to one of the three-hundred-plus wheelchair spaces
around the ground. Visitors never fail to be awestruck and, arguably, wheelchair users
can choose from the best seats in the house.
If you can’t attend a match here, taking a tour around the stadium is the next best
thing – as well as exploring the pitch, you’ll be shown around otherwise restricted areas
such as the press room, footballers’ dressing rooms, royal boxes and the players’ tunnel.
You can even have your picture taken with a replica FA Cup, or sitting in the managers’
seat in the press room. Throughout, you’ll be made to feel enormously welcome by staff,
who are justly proud of the stadium’s accessibility. Lifts and disabled toilets abound,
turnstiles, food and merchandise counters are at the right level and the surface is carshowroom
smooth. Induction loops are everywhere and, if you’re here for a match, you
can listen to commentary delivered via headsets available from access points. A free app
for Apple and Android devices gives useful stadium and travel information.
Blue Badge parking is available in the stadium’s two car parks (book at least three
days in advance). If you’re arriving at Wembley Park Tube, note that not all carriages
provide level access: ask for guidance on earlier station platforms. The journey to the
stadium is straightforward, and on match days the police will direct you via ramps
to Wembley Way. Information on dial-a-ride and shuttle buses is available from the
website. Once you’ve reached the stadium, you should be fine.
FOOD & DRINK aa The on-site restaurants are only available to Club Wembley members;
for everyone else, there’s the staple burger and pie outlets, which are pricey – buy before
you arrive!
LONDON
003 London Fields Lido
Address: Hackney E8 3EU Web: www.better.org.uk/leisure/london-fields-lido Email: london-fieldslido@gll.org
Tel: 020 72549038 Hours: daily 6.30am–9pm Dates: closed 25 Dec Entry: [D] Free
swimming for disabled people and their carer (with proof of eligibility) [A]£4.80 [5–15s]£2.85 [Con]
discounted membership and entry for seniors; free annual membership for Hackney residents
After a vociferous campaign by Hackney residents, London Fields Lido was restored
following decades of neglect and reopened in spring 2007. As London’s only Olympicsized
heated outdoor pool, it attracts regular swimmers from as far away as Kent.
Such is its popularity during weekends at the height of summer, visitors should arrive
early to guarantee even being able to squeeze in alongside all the other families splashing
around. But in winter, as steam gently rises from the water’s surface, more often than
not it is only stalwart locals ploughing up and down the fifty-metre pool. Don’t be
put off from visiting at this time of the year, as the water is heated to a comfortable
25–27°C. When the weather is exceptionally cold, extra lifeguards are on duty, peering
through the swirling fog to keep everybody in view. Swimming courses are available for
various age groups, as are women-only sessions. The attitude of the enthusiastic staff
reflects the pride that the local community takes in the lido’s services. All staff receive
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