National Marine Aquarium

If you have mobility limitations, this venue is not easy to visit. There is no close vehicle access or drop-off point to the front door. The walk is over cobbles and uneven surfaces from the Mayflower Steps on the Barbican. From the back of the building, there is a limited space car park, the walk from there is long and flat with a slight incline. Free wheelchairs are available at the venue but are not pre-bookable. If you struggle and get to the front door, there is no guarantee that you will get a wheelchair to help you get around inside. It is easy to navigate inside with few obstacles, the lift is a little small, and the disabled toilet is adequate.

This is an excellent aquarium, with interesting species and a fabulous shark/ray tank. However, their awareness of disabilities and resolutions for them could be improved. There are 3 disabled parking bays, but these are not pre-bookable, and it's quite a walk from any other parking facility. They have no official facility in place for people unable to queue, but if you email them, they tell you that you can enter via the gift shop, for a faster experience. If this is your situation, I highly recommend emailing in advance because they will advice you on quietest times to come, will make sure you don't have to queue, and the team will be made aware that someone with additional needs is coming. It's not ideal to have to advocate for yourself, but the aquarium is worth the visit.