5
Way more accessible than you'd expect!
I visited today spontaneously with an abled friend, I'm a powerchair user. I honestly wasn't expecting to be able to go on board at all - I thought I'd be limited to some kind of museum section around it, but no! There are lifts to all levels INSIDE the ship itself! You do need a member of staff to move a barrier to allow access to the lifts, but there are very atentive staff on every deck ready to help, so I didn't experience any delay at all. There are also lifts you can use independently elsewhere in the building outside of the ship for some levels.
The accessible bathroom on the very lowest dry dock level by the cafe is a little small, so transfering from the side may not be possible for everyone, fortunately I can transfer with a cane. I spotted a Euan's Guide red cord card in there, although the cord was awkwardly placed and liable to getting tangled in the toilet roll holders.
But overall I loved the access - there was a slightly narrow pinch point on the entry level (lower deck I think? Or tween deck?) either side of the lift, which I was ok with my powerchair (freedomchair A08L) but I could forsee being a bit tight for some larger powerchairs. Also turning INTO the lift on that first entry level was a little awkward, but on the other decks there was plenty of space to turn.
Staff were all very attentive and helpful, the ship was amazing, and there is a free carer ticket concession.
To get there we used an uber boat which claimed to be accessible but wasn't as good as it should be - boarding was ok at Westminster, but there's a step into the main cabin so you have to stay on deck. They said at some docks you need to go through the cabin to disembark at the front, but as I couldn't get over the step, instead they got the captain to align the rear gates with the ramps for me so it was ok, but very noisy at the back by the engines. You are covered from rain overhead but it is open sides.
At Greenwich dock, getting off the dock itself was EXTREMELY steep with very difficult ramps which I could get down, but wouldn't be able to get back to the boat again confidently.
So I opted to go home by using the DLR from Greenwich to Canary wharf (step free but a big gap and a jolt at Greenwich, unstaffed stations), and then Canary Wharf I went to the Elizabeth line station to go home - roll on at Canary wharf but not at my home station Langley where you need a ramp.
While Canary wharf Elizabeth line station shows on the TFL map as an interchange with the DLR one, it is actually an extremely long way away - I'd say well over quarter of a mile to get to the Elizabeth line from there, so if you struggle walking long distances, it may not be for you. Also not well signposted from one station to the other.
I visited today spontaneously with an abled friend, I'm a powerchair user. I honestly wasn't expecting to be able to go on board at all - I thought I'd be limited to some kind of museum section around it, but no! There are lifts to all levels INSIDE the ship itself! You do need a member of staff to move a barrier to allow access to the lifts, but there are very atentive staff on every deck ready to help, so I didn't experience any delay at all. There are also lifts you can use independently elsewhere in the building outside of the ship for some levels.
The accessible bathroom on the very lowest dry dock level by the cafe is a little small, so transfering from the side may not be possible for everyone, fortunately I can transfer with a cane. I spotted a Euan's Guide red cord card in there, although the cord was awkwardly placed and liable to getting tangled in the toilet roll holders.
But overall I loved the access - there was a slightly narrow pinch point on the entry level (lower deck I think? Or tween deck?) either side of the lift, which I was ok with my powerchair (freedomchair A08L) but I could forsee being a bit tight for some larger powerchairs. Also turning INTO the lift on that first entry level was a little awkward, but on the other decks there was plenty of space to turn.
Staff were all very attentive and helpful, the ship was amazing, and there is a free carer ticket concession.
To get there we used an uber boat which claimed to be accessible but wasn't as good as it should be - boarding was ok at Westminster, but there's a step into the main cabin so you have to stay on deck. They said at some docks you need to go through the cabin to disembark at the front, but as I couldn't get over the step, instead they got the captain to align the rear gates with the ramps for me so it was ok, but very noisy at the back by the engines. You are covered from rain overhead but it is open sides.
At Greenwich dock, getting off the dock itself was EXTREMELY steep with very difficult ramps which I could get down, but wouldn't be able to get back to the boat again confidently.
So I opted to go home by using the DLR from Greenwich to Canary wharf (step free but a big gap and a jolt at Greenwich, unstaffed stations), and then Canary Wharf I went to the Elizabeth line station to go home - roll on at Canary wharf but not at my home station Langley where you need a ramp.
While Canary wharf Elizabeth line station shows on the TFL map as an interchange with the DLR one, it is actually an extremely long way away - I'd say well over quarter of a mile to get to the Elizabeth line from there, so if you struggle walking long distances, it may not be for you. Also not well signposted from one station to the other.
For additional detailed accessibility information, please contact: enquiries@cuttysark.org.uk
