Overview

Generally a good experience. The lifts are unreliable, the toilets leave a LOT to be desired. If you ring to book in advance for a yourself and a free carer's ticket, the phone staff demand that you bring along proof of disability when you turn up to collect the tickets. This practice is insulting and demeaning and should be stopped.

Transport & Parking

Waterloo Station is nearby and the Jubilee Line offers step-free access but beware - the Jubilee Line lift has had severe problems for months and is frequently out of service - check before you travel! A few bus routes will drop you off in York Way, which is round the corner from County Hall.

Access

Generally good, step-free throughout, all areas accessible. Some of the floors are made of a horrible soft rough-textured material which is really hard work to traverse in a wheelchair. This seems pointless to me, and should be replaced with smooth flooring. One star lost for this, and another star lost because some of the lifts were out of order. Another star lost because online booking for disabled people bringing a companion/carer is not possible, you have to phone for that, and although I waited in the phone queue AGES on several occasions, the phone was never answered. Very annoying.

Toilets

Not enough thought has gone into the accessible toilet. As you can see from my attached pictures, the place is cluttered with enormous bins in the wrong places, making a sideways transfer to the toilet impossible, and the red emergency cord is located in a ridiculous place, in a corner behind a bin. How can you possibly reach it if you fall over? This can be a life-and-death matter. In addition, some of the toilets were out of order, necessitating enormous detours to get to a working toilet. Not impressed.

Staff

The staff are lovely, eager to help, eager to explain and inform, so they made it a happy experience.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The sharks are quite quite remarkable. I love the way they glide. There are some very slim fish which look like they are covered in silver leather. The turtles are adorable and the penguins made me laugh.

Photos