Find out about disabled access

Getting here and away

By DLR/ Tube
Cutty Sark on the Docklands Light Railway [DLR] is the nearest station (of both overground and underground) to the site. Take the Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf and change to the DLR, or board the DLR direct from Bank, Tower Gateway, Stratford, Beckton or Lewisham, exiting at Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich. The majority of the Jubilee line is accessible but please check this applies to the station you are boarding from before your journey. Canary Wharf Underground, along with the whole of the DLR, is fully accessible. There is a lift to street level at Cutty Sark; exiting the lift lobby turn right, past Waterstones and straight ahead towards the ORNC. Please click here for TFL Accessible tube maps

By Mainline Rail Services
The nearest train station is Greenwich (Zone 2) which has connections to Charing Cross, Waterloo East, Cannon Street, London Bridge and Dartford; it is approximately 0.5 miles from the site, through the town, or you can take the DLR one stop from Greenwich Station to Cutty Sark which is just 3 minutes from the site. Greenwich Station has full step-free access; platforms are accessed via ramp and lifts and the Ticket Office and car park are also step-free. Southeastern trains run to the station and they request that you book in advance when requiring a ramp to access the train; please call the Assistance Booking line on 0800 783 4524, who can also give detail on what alternative stations can be used if access/assistance is not available for any reason. Accessible toilets are avilable when the booking hall is open. Southeastern trains textphone number: 0800 783 4548. Select the following link for further information: Greenwich Station access page

By River
Greenwich is just four miles downstream from Tower Bridge. Regular riverboat services are now available from Westminster, Embankment and Tower Piers to Greenwich, the timetable is seasonal so please check times careful before you set off. All of these piers are wheelchair accessible and City Cruises (who run a regular service to Greenwich) boats are accessible.

By Bus
Routes 53, 188, 199, 202 and 286 are operated by low floor buses and can take wheelchairs. In addition, a special Mobility Bus, the 943, operates on a Wednesday from Thamesmead to Greenwich. Wheelchair users are entitled to free travel on London buses and do not need to show any ticket or pass but anyone accompanying them must hold a valid ticket or pay the appropriate fare. All types of Assistance Dogs are welcome on London buses.

For further information on how to reach the ORNC by public transport visit the TFL Accessibility page

By Taxi
Greenwich does not have a taxi rank. Advance booking of taxis is essential. Consider using the following taxi operators:
Lewisham on 020 8297 2974 or Radio Taxis on 020 7272 0272.
All or some of the vehicles used by these operators are understood to be wheelchair accessible. We recommend that you call to check availability and suitability before travelling. Taxis can drop off within the ORNC site if they are booked in beforehand, please call 0208 269 4799 to book in.

By Car
Greenwich Council's policy is to provide free parking to any person displaying a Blue Badge at the following places:
-Disabled parking spaces ('Blue Badge Displayed')
-Pay & Display street parking (three-hour limit)
-Car parks (three-hour limit)
-Meter parking spaces (three-hour limit).
Note that Blue Badge holders cannot park in residents' parking bays or where loading and unloading restrictions apply.

The nearest car parks to the ORNC site are on Park Row and Cutty Sark Gardens. There is also limited disabled parking available on the site, please call 0208 2694799 to book this in advance of your visit.

The Site

The Old Royal Naval College is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and its buildings are Grade I listed, making it difficult to alter the fabric to accommodate special access requirements. Every effort has been made, however, to ensure that the site is open to visitors with disabilities.

Wheelchair access to the Painted Hall and Chapel is via a ramp from the exterior colonnade to their individual entrance halls then by StairMate, a machine which carries chairs up steps, to the main halls. The Visitor Centre is fully accessible.

There are guide sheets in braille and large print in both the Painted Hall and Chapel, please speak to one of the Yeoman guides if you require assistance.

Please let us know in advance if you need any special assistance by downloading the following form and emailing# it to us at info@greenwichfoundation.org.uk This will enable us to make the necessary arrangements and ensure qualified staff are on hand.
Information form for Wheelchair users (43 KB)
#If you do not an email facility please call 0208 2694791 and a form can be posted to you with a freepost envelope.

Guided Tours

Unfortunately the Jacobean Undercroft is not accessible to visitors with disabilities, the only access is down a steep flight of stairs.

Dedicated assistants to visitors who are Deaf or hearing impaired go free on tours as do dedicated wheelchair assistants and sighted guides for Blind and particially sighted visitors.