Accessible Britain

LONDON
disability awareness training every six months and are happy to lend a hand. Staff
know many swimmers by name and have developed a good rapport with them.
There is no Blue Badge parking available, so many disabled visitors park in nearby
roads (metered) or use cab services. London Fields is the nearest rail station, five
minutes’ walk across the park, and there are several buses running within ten minutes
of the site; ring ahead and ask for advice on the best routes. The lobby is well lit with
automatic doors, part of the reception desk is low-level and a gate alongside the
turnstile admits wheelchair users. There are two disabled changing rooms, one at each
end of the pool, with two “spares”, which are opened up if lots of people need to use
them. The changing room at the shallow (one-metre) end is equipped with an electric
hoist. Lockers are mounted outside for improved security and the disabled changing
rooms can be locked. A wheeled shower-chair provides aided access to the shallow
end via a ramp, while a hand-powered hoist offers another method of entry. There is a
hearing loop at the front desk, one wheelchair on-site and some changing room lockers
have Braille instructions. The public areas are spacious and well lit (floodlights are now
in place) and staff are always eager to help.
FOOD & DRINK aa The Park Terrace Café, otherwise known as the The Hoxton Beach Café,
serves visitors in and outside the lido. It offers homemade snacks, including “the best
falafel wraps in Hackney”, hearty soups and authentic porridge – just the ticket after an
outdoor swim in typical British weather.
004 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
London Fields Lido
Address: Stratford E20 Web: www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk Tel: 0800 0722110 Hours: Park, no
closures; venues vary by event Entry: park free; spectator prices vary by event
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