Hello London | Travelling as a Visually Impaired Wheelchair User

Hello London👋

It's been 2 and a half years since I last visited London and I've missed the hustle and bustle of the big city.  One of my all-time favourite films is Back to the Future. I just love it, it's got it all - sci-fi, comedy and romance. In September 2021, we started phoning the theatre as I heard Back to the Future was on with Audio Description. However, the access line went unanswered. In the end, I missed the one audio-description performance of 2021! 

Back to the Future sign

At the start of this year, I emailed the theatre to ask when the next audio description show was on. I informed there were none planned. I wrote to the production team who were quite miffed about the misinformation I'd been given as there were two audio-description shows in March! By the time we knew this, there were no wheelchair spaces left. Fortunately, I am able to transfer and the theatre lady (we finally got through on the phone) was very helpful and got us seats near the front, as the audio-description signal is better here.

The next thing was to book the hotel...

Usually, in London, we stay at the Taverstock, but it's currently closed. So, we booked the Royal National Hotel, which is part of the same chain. I like Imperial hotels because they have a fantastic deal of a free meal on the first night if you stay 2 or more nights and breakfast is included. 

We then had the train to book...

Avanti is the comfier and faster train. As with Manchester, we booked the assistance on the Passenger Assist app. This time it didn't work as smoothly, in the end, we had to phone them. All I can think is it's an issue with Avanti and the Passenger Assist app not connecting. The phone staff, both at train line (we had a ticket mix up) and Avanti were very helpful. 

Faye on the train

Liverpool Lime Street is the city's mainline station. It's entirely flat. The station has a disabled toilet, which is spacious, although it is not a changing places facility. After we let the station staff know that we were there, we then waited a couple of minutes, before being whisked round to the train The two ramp assistants carried our case and once at the door, he assembled the ramp and I drove up. At the top, I was unsure where to go, but thankfully the man's voice called, 'if you turn right here.'  The other man was already there with our case, so he pressed the, open door, button and I went through. It was quite a narrow passageway, but manageable. 

The wheelchair space is quite a comfortable size. My driving control panel on my powered wheelchair fitted in nicely next to the table that stretched across the disabled space.  Something I noticed was in the area opposite where I was, was empty, usually it's clogged with cases, so it's good that people are more thoughtful.  The only disappointing thing about the Avanti train is the cafe carriage as it is not accessible and no one comes along the isle with a trolley, so you have to take your own snacks.  The journey going was packed and we wore our masks, although few others did. I didn't notice if the toilet spoke ('door lock enabled' etc). 

At London Euston, we were the last off, but at least my mum didn't have to hang out of the door, calling for help, as the ramp man arrived promptly and was very helpful and guided me down the ramp.

Faye getting of the train with assistance from staff and a ramp

Getting from the train and into the main station is quite a trek so I'd recommend anyone with mobility problems to ride the blue mobility buggy. My mum and I are always reminded of our first family trip to London when we come here. The mobility buggy came to collect our cases, my wheelchair and us.  My dad hopped in, gave us a wave as the cart drove off, leaving my mum to push me haha!

Euston station is usually heaving, but this day it was busier outside than in. The amount of people who didn't see my blind cane was unbelievable (maybe they need a cane?).  To get to the hotel, you have to cross lots of traffic lights, but none of them beeped! I did not like this as it's unsafe for blind/visually impaired people. 

The Royal National Hotel was tucked away on the main road. I said to my mum as we entered through the clear glass doors (not good for visually impaired), 'it's very fancy.'  With a gleaming, large, open, white foyer, it was. 

Large 'fancy' hotel lobby

The staff were so polite and helpful, carrying our bags, calling the lift and directing us to our room.  The door to the room, I have to say, was odd and not good for blind/visually impaired people as it had no door number in braille or raised numerals.  

Instead, the number was on a flat picture to the side of the door.  I liked the flooring in the room, as the bathroom area was tiled white and the bedroom part hand a dark carpet. What I found strange was, the twin beds faced the window, rather than the tv (on the wall as you come in). Underneath the TV was a long table with teas and coffees. The cups were made of a strong paper. Although possibly a covid precaution, it's not very eco-friendly. 

In the corner there was a sofa bed. The view out of the window was of another part of the hotel (its huge!). The bathroom had a peculiar layout. As soon as you opened the door (inwards), you are greeted with a sink and mirror to the immediate left and directly opposite, a high, square seated toilet. It has one bar on the right.

The toilet roll is on the left, but quite a stretch as it's so far back. I would have liked two bars. In the corner, next to the toilet, was a shower.  This was enclosed with frosted glass and had a pull-down seat, but no chair to dry yourself on. I liked the sink as my wheelchair fitted in nicely. I also liked the fact that the light switch to the bathroom was at a good height.  The turning room was manageable. It took a 3-point turn to get out of the bathroom. 

In the lift, I had to go in on an angle. The buttons had no braille, only a voice over to announce when you had arrived at a floor.  The lift could have done with:

• Improved lighting

• Brailed numbers

• Light up buttons

• More space

After a little rest, we strolled over the road to a complex of restaurants and cafes. The access for wheelchair uses use was good, as it was entirely flat. I remember it being all white paving, which made it hard to negotiate. We bumped into batman.

Batman

Faye in Russell Square

We then went to Russell Square. I like it here. So much of London is built up, so it's a delight to find a patch of greenery. Although, you can hear the traffic, the surrounding trees muffle it somewhat, making it a pleasant spot to find some peace and tranquillity in the chaos of London.  Pathways wind through the area, the flatness making it smooth for wheelchair users.  There is a monument dedicated to Sir Francis Bedford, a Duke of the area. He's surrounded by a statue of farmyard animals, perhaps giving an indication to the area's history? Nowadays, pigeons flock to it.  There's also a water fountain feature, which is lovely. 

We headed back to the hotel for dinner. The hotel porter showed us the way. It was within the hotel grounds, but outside.  I sat on the couch at the London pub as the table in the area we were sat at secluded, quietish part to the side as you walk in. It was cosy. However, the low tables meant it was easier to just sit on the couch and park the chair to the side.  I had a tasty vegetarian curry and they had decent portion sizes. The staff accommodated my spoon/bowl/straw requirements., which was nice.  I then caught up with my friend. We were there until the lights went off and we got chucked out. 

Sir Francis Bedford statue

Breakfast at the Royal National Hotel was lovely. They had hot and cold options, English and Continental choices. I take a lot of medications in the morning and have to have some of them with a thicker drink, like a smoothie, so was delighted to find they had mango smoothie. 

After breakfast, with a circular table that was good for my wheelchair, which had been reserved just for us, we decided to walk down to Covent Garden. It was about half an hour away.  I was shocked that yet again none of the traffic lights beeped to alert blind/visually impaired tourists when to cross. The access at Covent Garden is quite bad. The cobbles make it impossible to swing the cane, not to mention a very bumpy ride. There are steps leading down to the food and entertainment part and steps going up towards many of the shops. I would have loved to have looked round the stalls, although many were aimed at tourists, you can usually find something unusual and quirky, but we were hungry. 

On the hunt for food, Covent Garden had some outdoor eating places, but it was quite busy, so we tried an Italian restaurant, but they said they were fully booked.  

Inaccessible step-entrance to Bar One

The next place we went to was called Bar One. It was on a corner and had a large step to climb and no ramp, see photo to the left. Although the waiter did offer to carry me in, but as we said, the chair would break his back - so we sat outside. The table was not accessible for my wheelchair. The tapas selection was nice though.   

With some time to spare before the show, we went shopping.  I love Doc Martens and have quite a collection. The shop assistant saw us looking in the window and at the high step in, and said, 'Would you like to come in? Shall I get the ramp?' He was very helpful and showed us around the boots.  When it was time to go, a woman put the ramp down. It collapsed under me, presumably due to a lack of training.  

Old fashioned petrol pump 

We passed two vintage shops near each other on the same road, one called Rocket, which I think used to be in Camden. I bought a fab jacket in there about 10 years ago. As I sat outside, looking at the downwards facing staircase, I pondered, 'How on earth am I supposed to launch into Rocket, when my chair can't fly?'  The next vintage shop had, interestingly, an old-fashioned petrol pump, as well as a lift! By now, we were due at the theatre, so didn't go in. Instead, we headed to the Adelphi theatre.

The Adelphi had brilliant access, with a ramped entrance at the front, as well as a step-less pathway leading down to the stage, meaning that wheelchair users if able to transfer, can do so easily.  The toilet was a bit of a tight squeeze and had only one bar to hold on to. The colour contrast was good though. 

Now came the big question, would the headphones work? I slipped them on, and...  Great Scott! It worked! A woman's voice began to describe the characters, set and plot. 

Faye wearing the audio description headphones

My mum said the visual effects of the musical, especially the time travel scenes, were just amazing! I wish I could have seen them, but feeling the chair vibrate with the sound was all I could do. The musical was brilliant, if you get the chance, definitely go and see it! We were still full after the show, so we just grabbed a snack from the mini supermarket and headed back to the hotel. 

On our last morning, we strolled to Russell Square and spotted a museum that we plan to go to next time. 

On the train back, we were the first on/last off, a fact I was glad about due to the cases people packed near to the wheelchair bay. 

I really enjoyed my trip down south, despite the curious stares I got being a visually impaired powered wheelchair user swinging my cane. On the last morning there, we found an activity for our next trip. I didn't want to come home and can't wait for the next one! I'd definitely stay at the Royal National Hotel again and recommend the Back to the Future musical, however, Covent Garden does not have good wheelchair access.

Thank you for reading, leave a comment with your travelling experiences below!