Access Guide

Search Access Guide

Summary

This guide relates to services/facilities located within Somerset House, and not the Institute/Vernon Square.
The venue is in a pedestrian area.
Services/facilities within the venue include a café with seating area.
For the Courtauld Gallery AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).

Getting Here

By Road View
- The gallery is located off a pedestrianised area of the Strand, within central London.
- There is no parking for the gallery.
  The nearest on-street Blue Badge bays are located along Surrey Street, approximately 270m from the venue. The nearest public car parks are located approximately 550m from the venue.
- For more information on parking please click here (opens new tab).
By Bus View
- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
- There are several bus stops located along the Strand, the nearest of which are located along Aldwych, served by multiple buses/routes. Many of the bus routes to Somerset House have been affected by the pedestrianisation of The Strand. We advise you to check your route on the TFL websitehttps://tfl.gov.uk when planning your visit, for the most up to date information.
- For more information on Transport for London Buses please click here (opens new tab).
By Underground View
- The nearest underground station is Temple.
- The nearest step-free underground station is Blackfriars.
- Temple (Circle and District lines) is located approximately 300m to the South East.
  Blackfriars (Circle and District lines) is located approximately 1.3km to the East.
  Other underground stations nearby include:
  Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines)
  Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines)
  Covent Garden (Piccadilly line).
- For more information on Temple underground station please click here (opens new tab).
Useful Links View
- For more information on London Transport.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- For more information on Train services.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).

Getting Help and Assistance

For information from The Courtauld on accessibility please click here (new tab).
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.
The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: large print.
There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
There are mobility aids available.
The mobility aids available include wheelchairs and tri wheel walkers.
To obtain mobility aids please contact the ticket office.
There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk however, please ask a member of staff who may be able to help.
Magnifying glasses and ear protectors can be provided upon request.
Exhibits can be audio described via the digital/mobile guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.
If the lift is out of service, there is an alternative lift provision but this does not give access to floor 1 of the gallery. The gallery will publish on their website if the lift goes out of service.

Public Transport and Parking

There is a bus stop within approximately 150m of the venue.
The nearest train station is Charing Cross.
The nearest underground tube station is Temple.
The venue does not have its own car park.
Public parking is not available within approximately 200m of the venue.
There are no parking facilities available at the branch.

Approach (Access from the Strand)

Photos

Approach View
- The surface of the approach is block paving.
- Access from the Strand is by passing through one of three archways.
  The width of the archways is in excess of 150cm.
Ramp/Slope View
- There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
- The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope is in the middle archway.
Step(s) View
- There is a/are step(s) on the approach.
- There is/are 2 unmarked step(s), with no handrails.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 12cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The depth of the steps are 37cm.
- Stepped access is via the two archways at either end of the entrance area.

Opening Times

Monday 10:00 - 18:00.
Tuesday 10:00 - 18:00.
Wednesday 10:00 - 18:00.
Thursday 10:00 - 18:00.
Friday 10:00 - 18:00.
Saturday 10:00 - 18:00.
Sunday 10:00 - 18:00.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

Photos

Entrance View
- This information is for the entrance located diagonally opposite The Courtauld Gallery main entrance.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Art Café The Courtauld'.
- There is stepped 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.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 126cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the opening is 106cm.
- The first set of doors are held open during opening hours only.
Step(s) View
- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 2 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 10cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Outside Access (Step-Free Entrance)

Photos

Entrance View
- This information is for the entrance located to the right of the Art Cafe main entrance. This entrance initially leads to the Courtauld Institute staff reception, and then to the Art Cafe.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Office Reception Only'.
- There is ramped/sloped 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.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 128cm (4ft 2in).
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key card reader is 106cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 130cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the opening is 108cm.
- Upon entering, a member of The Courtauld team will be able to guide you to the Art Café.
  When exiting, there is a button to open the second set of doors.
  The button is at a height of 116cm from the floor.
  After the two sets of doors, there is a third door to enter the café (image 2).
  The door is manual and opens towards you (pull).
  The door is heavy.
  The doorway has a width of 90cm.
  .
Ramp/Slope View
- The ramp/slope is located either side of the entrance (image 3).
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Eating and Drinking

Photos

Location and Access View
- The following information is for the café.
Service and Menus View
- 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: written wall menus.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- 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 a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a portable loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 12/12/2023.
- The hearing loop was not fully functional at the time of testing.
Service Counter(s) View
- The height of the counter is 110cm.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
- The type of flooring in this area is carpet.
Tables and Seating View
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 71cm.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 50cm.
- The surface height of the highest table is 100cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
- In this area there are coffee tables, high tables and high stools.
- The type of flooring in this area is carpet and wood.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on floor -1 of the Courtauld Gallery. An accessible toilet is also available for café users in The Learning Centre, to the side of the Art Cafe.