Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Friends' Cafe

The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Getting To The Hospital (Royal Marsden Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • The hospital and the Marsden Wing entrance are located in Chelsea area of London and can be accessed via all major roads into the area.
      The hospital is located on the A308 Fulham Road.
      The accessible entrance is via the Wallace Wing, and the Rapid Diagnostic and Assessment Centre are off Dovehouse Street. This is the turning to the right of the main building.
    • There is no parking for patients or visitors on the hospital site.
      There are some on-street Blue Badge bays in Dovehouse Street and Dudmaston Mews, which are limited to 4 hours on weekdays.
      The surrounding streets are in a resident parking zone and parking for non-residents is very limited.
  • By Bus View
    • Bus routes 14, 211, 345 and 414 travel along Fulham Road and have stops near to the hospital.
      Other routes stop nearby.
      All London buses are accessible to wheelchair users by motorised boarding ramp and have a designated area for wheelchair users.
    • There is not an onsite bus stop.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest railway station is London Victoria.
      There are staff to assist with manual boarding ramps between the train and the platform at this station.
      There is level access between the platform and the street.
      Bus services connect with this station and there is a taxi rank.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest underground station is South Kensington (District, Circle and Piccadilly lines).
      There is no step-free access from the platform to the street at this station.
      The station is approximately a 7 minute walk from the hospital.
      The nearest underground stations with step-free access are Victoria (Victoria Line only) and Earls Court (District Line).
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (Royal Marsden Hospital)

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on the ground level of the Chelsea Wing.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0800 783 7176.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found at the Marsden Wing and Wallace Wing receptions.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact a member of staff.

Public Parking (On-Street Parking)

  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • There is a/are clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on along Dovehouse Street.
    • The dimensions of the on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 191cm x 540cm (6ft 3in x 17ft 9in).
    • There are not parking charges for the on street Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Standard on street parking is available.
  • Public Car Park View
    • There is not a car park for public use within approximately 200m (219yd).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.

Getting To (Friends Cafe)

  • Friends' Cafe is/are located on the first floor of the Wallace Wing.
  • Access to Friends' Cafe is via the Wallace Wing entrance.
  • Enter via the Wallace Wing entrance, proceed past the reception and turn left to the lift. Take the lift to the first floor. On exiting the lift, turn right and continue along the corridor. Outpatients is located ahead and the Friends' Cafe is on the right.
  • There is step free access, via lift, to Friends' Cafe.
  • Friends' Cafe is approximately 28m from the Wallace Wing Lift.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the Wallace Wing entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.

Outside Access (Wallace Wing Entrance - Automatic Doors)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the hospital, along Dovehouse Street.
    • There is not a drop-off point at this entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step free 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 a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 135cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 132cm.
    • 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 door opening is 160cm.

Lift (Wallace Wing Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you enter the Wallace Wing.
  • Signs indicating the location of this lift are not clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Wallace Wing Entrance - Automatic Doors.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The visual contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 99cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 115cm x 200cm (3ft 9in x 6ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.

Other Floors (Wallace Wing Stairs)

  • Stairs View
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor of the building are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Opening Times

  • Monday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Eating and Drinking (Friends' Cafe)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the Wallace Wing lift.
  • The standard height for tables is 72cm.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Inside Access

  • There is level access once inside.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is available.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl/laminate.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Peak Times

  • Please note - Public areas may become crowded during peak times.

Related Access Guides