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The Abbey Shop

Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PA

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • Comments View
    • There is a second, smaller shop within the Abbey Cloister.
    • Please see the guide to the Cloister for details.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:15 - 18:30.
  • Tuesday 09:15 - 18:30.
  • Wednesday 09:15 - 19:00.
  • Thursday 09:15 - 18:30.
  • Friday 09:15 - 18:30.
  • Saturday 09:15 - 18:30.
  • Sunday 11:00 - 17:00.
  • Comments View
    • The main shop opening times are extended in July and August when it closes at 18:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Abbey is located in central London, close to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
      Access is from Broad Sanctuary / Victoria Street.
    • There is no parking at the Abbey or in nearby streets.
      It is possible for private cars and taxis to drive into The Sanctuary, at the west end of the Abbey, to drop off passengers.
      There are generally taxis available in this location.
  • By Bus View
    • There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
    • Westminster Abbey is served by TFL services 11, 24, 88, 148 and 211 from all over London.
      The nearest bus stops are in Parliament Square, Victoria Street and Great Smith Street.
      Please see the TFL website to plan a bus journey to the Abbey.
      Every London bus route is wheelchair accessible, with automatic ramps and designated wheelchair spaces.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway Station is Charing Cross, Waterloo or Victoria.
    • Staff are available to assist with portable ramps from train to platform at these stations.
      There is step-free access from platform to street at each station.
      There are bus services and taxi ranks at each station to complete the journey to the Abbey.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest underground station is Westminster.
    • Westminster is on the Jubilee Line and District and Circle Lines.
      There is step-free access from tube to street at Westminster Underground Station from the Jubilee Line.
      Portable access ramps are required from tube to platform on the District and Circle Line trains.
      Please see the link to the TFL Journey Planner for access details of connecting routes and stations.
      It is approximately 0.2 miles (5 minute walk) from Westminster Underground to the Great North Door visitor entrance. There are pedestrian crossings at all road crossings on the route.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • Staff do not receive disability awareness/equality training.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • Staff do not receive Deaf Awareness training.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/near by.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
  • There are not mobility aids available.

Approach (Great West Door Forecourt)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is cobbled.
    • There is step-free access on the approach.
  • Comments View
    • This approach is used by visitors leaving the Abbey by the Great West Door.

Outside Access (Great West Door Forecourt)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located facing the forecourt of the Great West Door.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'THE WESTMINSTER ABBEY SHOP'.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 146cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the opening is 130cm.

Approach (Main Entrance - The Sanctuary)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.

Outside Access (Main Entrance - The Sanctuary)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located facing The Sanctuary, off Broad Sanctuary.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'The Westminster Abbey Shop'.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 170cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the opening is 130cm.

Shop

  • The majority of aisle widths are not 150cm+.
  • The type of flooring is laminate.
  • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • The till(s) is/are located in the upper area of the shop.
  • There is step-free access to the till(s).
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the till(s).
  • The till(s) is/are not clearly signed.
  • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the till(s).
  • The till(s) is/are placed in front of a plain background.
  • The lighting levels at the till(s) are good.
  • The chip & pin card machines are accessible from the till(s).
  • The height of the till(s) is/are 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the till(s).
  • The height of the lowered section is 90cm.
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the till(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system at the till(s).

Counter (Till Point - Lower Ground Floor)

  • Counter View
    • The counter is located on the lower ground floor, to the right of the shop.
    • The counter is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • Clear signage for the counter is not visible from the lift.
    • There is step-free access to the counter.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
    • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The counter is placed in front of a plain background.
    • The lighting levels at the counter are good.
    • The height of the counter is 90cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the counter.
    • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided near the counter.
    • The type of flooring in this area is laminate.

Other Floors (Lower Ground Floor)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to the right of the shop.
    • The stairs are approximately 15m from the main entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G.
    • There are 10 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 not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • 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 not a landing.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

Lift (Lower Ground Floor)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of the abbey shop.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • A member of staff needs to be notified for use of the lift.
  • A member of staff is required to operate the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG, G.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 73cm x 86cm (2ft 5in x 2ft 10in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located off the Abbey South Cloister, using the Dean's Yard entrance.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located off the Abbey South Cloister, using the Dean's Yard entrance.