Accessible Britain

016 Westminster Abbey
Address: 20 Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA Web: www.westminster-abbey.org Tel: 020 72225152
Hours: Mon–Tue & Thu–Fri 9.30am–3.30pm; Wed 9.30am–6pm; Sat 9.30am–1.30pm (May–Aug closes
at 3pm) Dates: open for worship only on Sun Entry: tours: [D]free [C]free for carer of wheelchair user
[A]£20 [11–18s]£8 [Con]£17 [Fam]£40–45; verger tours £5 extra per person
LONDON
Westminster Abbey, the Collegiate Church of St Peter, is one of the greatest examples
of ecclesiastical architecture in the world. This shrine to the great and the good, where
Britain’s rulers have been crowned and buried, was recently in the international spotlight
in 2011 as the venue for the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Founded by Edward the Confessor in 1065, the abbey has hosted all coronations since
the time of William the Conqueror. You can see the Coronation Chair in a new display
near the West entrance. Indeed, a tour of the abbey is a great opportunity to learn about
the unique pageant of British history. Statesmen and men of science are interred and
honoured by monuments – you’ll spot the 1965 memorial to Sir Winston Churchill.
Geoffrey Chaucer, the first literary figure to be buried at the abbey in Poets’ Corner,
famously rests in the company of Tennyson, Browning and Dickens. Once the history
lesson is over, younger visitors might want to let off steam outdoors in the College
Garden; situated just off the cloisters, this is the oldest garden in England.
With its busy central London location, overlooking Parliament Square, it is not
surprising that the abbey doesn’t have parking spaces. But it is possible to arrive by
car – a drop-off point for Blue Badge holders can be requested in advance. Wheelchair
users should enter via the North Door: the marshals are very approachable and will
facilitate access to tricky areas via alternative routes wherever possible. The Henry VII
Chapel can only be reached by a steep flight of stairs. Portable audio guides are free and
are available in a range of languages. Transcripts are available for deaf visitors and a
touch tour can be arranged for visually impaired visitors, with accompanying material
in large print or Braille.
FOOD & DRINK aa Continuing the Benedictine tradition of providing hospitality, The
Cellarium Café and Terrace, in the cloisters, is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
017 Greenwich to Westminster River Trip
Address: Greenwich Pier SE10 9LW Web: www.citycruises.com, www.thamesclippers.com Tel: City Cruises
020 77400400 MBNA Thames Clippers 020 70012200 Hours: see box, p.30 Dates: year round, though
timetables vary; City Cruises closed 25 Dec; MBNA Thames Clippers closed 25–26 Dec Entry: Fares for City
Cruises and MBNA Thames Clippers vary according to the route and whether you buy a single ticket or a hopon/hop-off
day pass: check online for the full range of fares. MBNA Thames Clippers accepts Oyster cards and
both companies offer disabled passengers and their carers a 50% discount on most fares.
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