Accessible Britain

LONDON
Royal Opera House
FOOD & DRINK aa There are several well-appointed on-site bars and restaurants. The
Paul Hamlyn Hall Balconies Restaurant offers an especially memorable setting,
overlooking the Floral Hall – with prices to match, of course (two courses for £42.50;
three courses £49.50).
011 St Paul’s Cathedral
Address: St Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD Web: www.stpauls.co.uk Tel: reception (office hours)
020 72468350; recorded information 020 72468348; wheelchair access for services only: 020 72468320
Hours: Mon–Sat 8.30am–4pm; galleries Mon–Sat 9.30am–4.15pm. Dates: open for worship only on
Sun; may close at short notice for special services, check in advance Entry: online prices [D]£18 [C]free
[A]£18 [6–18s]£8 [Con]£16 [Fam]£44
Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, whose mighty dome is an iconic feature of the
London skyline, is looking more impressive than ever, following a massive restoration
project that took fifteen years and £40 million to complete.
Wheelchair users should use the south entrance to the cathedral, which is accessed
via a lift. Inside, the magnificent abundance of carvings, sculptures and mosaics is
almost too much to take in, even with the aid of an audiovisual guide that weaves you
around the nave, dome area, quire (the seating area of the clergy and choir) and an
assortment of aisles and chapels. All these areas have level access, except the North
Quire Aisle, but the few steps can be bypassed via a lift. There’s also lift access down
to the crypt, where you’ll find the tombs of various notable figures including Lord
Nelson and Sir Christopher Wren. Moving upwards, however, is harder: access to the
three dome galleries is by stair only, with 257 steps to the famous Whispering Gallery
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