Access Guide
Summary
Getting Here (Leicester Square)
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By Bus
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- There are 2 bus stops located along Charing Cross Road between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street (Stops L and K).
Bus routes 24, 29 and 176 travel along Charing Cross Road.
It is also served by night bus routes N5, N20, N29, N41 and N279.
All London buses have ramp access and dedicated spaces for wheelchair users. - For more information on London buses (Transport for London) please click here (opens new tab).
- There are 2 bus stops located along Charing Cross Road between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street (Stops L and K).
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By Underground
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- Green Park is the nearest accessible step-free station and is served by the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
The accessible entrance can be accessed via the park at the rear of the station building.
Leicester Square Station is served by the Piccadilly and Northern Line Services.
Piccadilly Circus Station is served by the Piccadilly and Bakerloo Line Services.
Both stations are accessed via steps only.
Leicester Square Underground Station is located on Charing Cross Road at the north-east corner of Leicester Square.
There are a total of 4 access points/exits for the station.
2 of the access points/exits are located on the east side of Charing Cross Road, 1 is located on the west side of Charing Cross Road, and the other is located on the north side of Cranbourn Street.
Access to and from Leicester Square from the access point on the west side of Charing Cross Road does not involve a road crossing.
Access to and from Leicester Square from the access points/exits on the east side of Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street involves a busy road crossing. - For more information on London Underground (Transport for London) please click here (opens new tab).
- Green Park is the nearest accessible step-free station and is served by the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
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By Train
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- London Euston Station and London Charing Cross Station have step-free access to all platforms and staff available to assist with ramps between the platform and the train.
- For more information on access and facilities at Euston Station please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on access and facilities at Charing Cross Station please click here (opens new tab).
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By Road
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- Leicester Square is pedestrianised.
Charing Cross Road (A400) is located parallel to Leicester Square between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street.
Charing Cross Road (A400) connects with Tottenham Court Road which leads to Euston Road (A501) at its north end.
At its south end, it connects with Strand (A4).
Leicester Square is in the Central London Congestion Charge Zone (charges apply Monday - Friday 07:00 -18:00).
It is also in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (charges apply at all times for non-compliant vehicles). - For more information on driving in London please click here (opens new tab).
- Parking in the area is very limited and visitors are encouraged to use public transport.
The nearest underground car park (Q-Park Leicester Square) is located off Whitcomb Street, south west of Leicester Square.
There are 3 Blue Badge bays within this car park.
There is an additional underground car park with lift access (Q-Park Chinatown) located off Newport Place.
There are 3 Blue Badge bays within this car park. - For more information on the Blue Badge Scheme and parking in London please click here (opens new tab).
- London taxis can be hailed in any location or summoned by phone.
There is a taxi rank on the west side of Charing Cross Road, between The Bear and Staff Pub and Barclays.
- Leicester Square is pedestrianised.
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By River
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- 6 TFL River Bus routes run from 22 piers between Putney and Woolwich.
The nearest pier is Westminster.
This is close to Westminster Underground Station on the Jubilee Line which connects to Bond Street Station.
There is step-free access onto the river buses, except at 3 piers.
Please see the TFL website for details. - For more information on London River Bus services please click here (opens new tab).
- 6 TFL River Bus routes run from 22 piers between Putney and Woolwich.
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By Air
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- The nearest airports to central London are London City Airport, London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
London City Airport is connected to the centre by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Bank or Tower Gateway, with interchanges to the rail and underground network at Canning Town and Stratford.
From Gatwick Airport there are fast trains connecting to London Bridge Station.
Heathrow Airport is connected by fast trains to Paddington Station and is also on the Piccadilly underground line. - For more information on travelling to London by air please click here (opens new tab).
- The nearest airports to central London are London City Airport, London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
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Useful Links
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- Please use the TfL journey planner for details of the most suitable routes.
The planner can be filtered by options such as step-free routes or maximum walking distances. - To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The TfL website has links to the TfL accessibility guides, including large print maps and audio guides to order or download.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please use the TfL journey planner for details of the most suitable routes.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:00 - 01:00.
- Tuesday 08:00 - 01:00.
- Wednesday 08:00 - 03:00.
- Thursday 08:00 - 04:00.
- Friday 08:00 - 04:00.
- Saturday 08:00 - 04:00.
- Sunday 08:00 - 01:00.
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
- British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There are not mobility aids available.
Outside Access (Ramped)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on Leicester Square.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Simit Sarayi'.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) by sliding.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 280cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
Outside Access (Ramped and Stepped)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the junction of Leicester Square, Leicester Street and Swiss Court.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Simit Sarayi'.
- There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in the doorway.
- There is/are 1 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 3cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
Eating and Drinking (Ground Floor)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the café.
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Service and Menus
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- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include: menu boards.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does play background music.
- Background music is played at all times.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 87cm.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The height between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 69cm.
- The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest dining table is 71cm.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- All chairs have armrests on both sides.
- There are also long tables.
- The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Other Floors
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located beyond the service counter.
- The stairs are approximately 15m from the ramped entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 21cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is not a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are good.
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Other Information
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- The service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are additional seating.
Eating and Drinking (First Floor)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the café.
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Tables and Seating
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- Staff are unable to make a table accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 70cm.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 48cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
- There are also coffee tables, armchairs and sofas.
- The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- There is additional seating and standard toilets on the first floor.
- These are accessed via 6 steps.
- This area was closed off and the toilets were out of order at the time of the survey.
Accessible Toilet(s)
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor)
- The standard toilets were out of order at the time of the survey.