Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include many historic buildings and exhibitions, including the Crown Jewels, the New Armouries Cafe.
- Related link Yeoman Tours.
- Http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/britishsignlanguagetours
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Comments
View
- The Tower is an historic site, located on a hill. Access for wheelchair users is difficult due to small passageways, stairs and cobbled walkways.
Location
- The venue is situated within the centre of the city.
- This venue is situated in London.
- The venue is situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest mainline station is Fenchurch Street.
- The nearest underground station is Tower Hill.
Opening Times (March - October)
- Monday 10:00 - 17:30..
- Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30..
- Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30..
- Thursday 09:00 - 17:30..
- Friday 09:00 - 17:30..
- Saturday 09:00 - 17:30..
- Sunday 10:00 - 17:30..
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Comments
View
- Last admission is at 17.00..
Opening Times (November - February)
- Monday 10:00 - 16:30..
- Tuesday 09:00 - 16:30..
- Wednesday 09:00 - 16:30..
- Thursday 09:00 - 16:30..
- Friday 09:00 - 16:30..
- Saturday 09:00 - 16:30..
- Sunday 10:00 - 16:30..
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Comments
View
- Last admission is at 16.00..
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
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Public Car Parks
View
- There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
- The name of the car park is Tower Hill Coach and Car Park.
- The car park is located behind the Welcome Centre, across Tower Hill.
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On Street Blue Badge Parking
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- On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
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On Street Standard Parking
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- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
View
- Tower Hill Coach and Car Park contains several designated bays, lift access and adapted and standard toilets.
Reception (Ticket Desks)
- There is not level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is medium height.
- The desk does not have a lowered section.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
View
- The Ticket Desks are located outside the main site, further up Tower Hill from the main entrance.
- There is a separate ticket desk for groups located between these and the Welcome Centre.
Outside Access (Welcome Centre Entrance)
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
- The main doors open away from you (push).
- The doors are double width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in) wide.
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Comments
View
- The Welcome Centre is located outside the main site, further down Tower Hill from the Ticket Desks.
Level Change (Welcome Centre Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
Reception (Welcome Centre)
- The reception desk is 2m (6ft 7in) from the Welcome Centre entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is high height.
- The desk does not have a lowered section.
- Lighting levels are medium.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
View
- The Welcome Centre provides visitor information on the Tower of London, particularly access information, and allows visitors to buy tickets using credit cards.
- There is also a short video giving an overview of the Tower and it's history shown here.
Outside Access (Main Entrance - West Gate)
- This information is for the entrance located on Tower Hill.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main doors open (no doors).
- The door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in) wide.
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Comments
View
- There is a similar entrance on the south of the site, by the Thames, for groups (shown in photograph 2).
Level Change (Main Entrance - West Gate)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located leading down from Tower Hill to the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is steep.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
Reception (Audio Guides Desk)
- The reception desk is 55m (60yd) from the main entrance.
- There is not level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is high height.
- The desk does not have a lowered section.
- Lighting levels are medium.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Level Change (Audio Guides Desk)
- There are steps to access this area / service.
- The steps are located leading up to the reception desk.
- There is / are 1 step(s) to the area / service.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do not have handrails.
Inside Access
- There is not level access to the service.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Level Change (Inside Access)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is steep.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- Please contact leading up past the White Tower to Jewell House.
- There are steps to access this area / service.
- The steps are located throughout the venue.
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Comments
View
- There are ramps of varying degrees throughout the grounds. Many of these have a cobbled surface.
- There are many sets of steps, mainly deep and with handrails on at last 1 side, throughout the grounds.
- For more details of access around the site, including the number of stairs to the main areas, please see theTower of London's own access guide.
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Museum
- Exhibits can be audio described.
- Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
- The availability of tactile signage depends on exhibition.
- Braille signage for exhibits is available.
- Touch tours are available.
- The availability of touch tours depends on exhibition.
- Video tours are available.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the the hearing system.
- A deposit is not required for the hearing system.
- Concessions are available.
- There is a wheelchair to borrow.
- To borrow the wheelchair, ask at the Welcome Centre.
Outside Access (Jewel House - Waterloo Block Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the north side of the site.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main doors open towards you (pull).
- The doors are double width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 136cm (4ft 6in) wide.
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Comments
View
- Visitors leave through a similar door at the side of Jewel House.
Level Change (Jewel House - Waterloo Block Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
Inside Access (Jewel House)
- There is not level access to the service.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Lighting levels are low.
- Customers cannot charge scooters or wheelchairs at the venue.
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Comments
View
- There is a moving walkway on which you travel to view the Crown Jewels.
- The speed varies depending on how busy the Jewel House is.
- Jewel House Wardens will stop the walkway for wheelchair users on request.
- A lift gives access to a platform overlooking the showcases, where the Jewels can be viewed for longer.
- Also, there is more information about the Crown Jewels and tactile models of five of the objects, which can be explored by touch.
- The Jewel House Wardens have tactile raised 2D images of the Crown Jewels for visually impaired and blind visitors, available on request.
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Level Change (Jewel House)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located throughout the areas showing the Coronation films.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- There are steps to access this area / service.
- The steps are located in the Crown Jewels Room.
- There is / are 3 step(s) to the area / service.
- Lighting levels at the steps are low.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do have handrails.
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Comments
View
- The steps lead up to a platform to view the Crown Jewels above the moving walkway.
Outside Access (Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located in the north west corner of the site.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main doors open away from you (push).
- The doors are double width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 145cm (4ft 9in) wide.
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Comments
View
- The chapel can only be accessed as part of a Yeoman Warder guided tour.
Level Change (Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula Entrance)
- There are steps to access this area / service.
- The steps are located leading down to the entrance.
- There is / are 4 step(s) to the area / service.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do have handrails.
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Comments
View
- A stair climber is available to overcome these steps, shown in photograph 2.
- There is also a shallow step in front of the entrance.
Outside Access (White Tower Accessible Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the Tower, opposite Jewell House.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main doors open towards you (pull).
- The doors are double width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in) wide.
Level Change (White Tower Accessible Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is easy.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
Other Floors (White Tower)
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Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-G.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting level is medium.
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Comments
View
- To access the other floors of the White Tower there is a combination of steps similar to these and deep, spiral stairs.
- There are Braille materials, raised image cards and a short video detailing the history of the White Tower in the basement.
Lift (White Tower)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located just inside the White Tower accessible entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G.
- The lift is 5m (16ft 5in) from White Tower accessible entrance.
- Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 75cm x 140cm (2ft 6in x 4ft 7in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
- The lift controls do have Braille markings.
- The lift controls do have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
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Comments
View
- Visitors are accompanied in this lift by a member of staff.
Outside Access (New Armouries Cafe Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the south side of the site.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main doors open towards you (pull).
- The doors are single width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in) wide.
Level Change (New Armouries Cafe Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- There are steps to access this area / service.
- The steps are located in front of the entrance.
- There is / are 3 step(s) to the area / service.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do not have handrails.
Eating and Drinking (New Armouries Cafe)
- The following information is for the cafe.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is 7m (22ft 12in) from the New Armouries Cafe entrance.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 64cm (2ft 1in).
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Menus are hand held only.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is main meals and snacks.
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Comments
View
- There is also a cafe kiosk outside by the South Wall and the gift shop. .
Accessible Toilet
- There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The accessible toilet is 272m (297yd) from the main entrance.
- The accessible toilet is located in the toilet area, behind Jewell House.
- There is not level access to the accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 112cm x 175cm (3ft 8in x 5ft 9in).
- Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
- It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (0ft 4in) from floor).
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
- There is not a coat hook.
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Position of Fixtures
View
- Wall mounted rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on the left.
- There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The hand dryer is 101cm (3ft 4in) high.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
View
- Baby Change Facilities
- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- The baby change facilities are located in the adapted toilet.
- There are 2 adapted toilets here. The other has the transfer space on the left, and no baby charge facilities.
Level Change (Accessible Toilets)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located leading up to the accessible toilets.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 138cm (4ft 6in).
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilets are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilets are located in the south east corner of the site.
- The female and male toilets are 130m (142yd) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilet.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
View
- These toilets are accessed via easy and moderate ramps from the main entrance.
- There are also Standard toilets available in the toilet area behind Jewell House. The male toilets here are accessed by steps.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Documents are available in Braille.
- Documents are available in large print.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
- This service can be requested.
- Staff are Text Relay aware.
- Plastic cups are available.
- Plastic cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available on request.