Overview

Cutty Sark is a historic ship dating from 1869. A few years ago it had a major restoration when access was significantly improved.

Transport & Parking

I travelled to the Cutty Sark by boat and from Greenwich Pier there was a step free route to the ship. The nearest station is Cutty Sark on the Docklands Light Railway 9DLR) which has step free access.

Access

There is step free access from the street into the shop/ ticket counter. There is step free access on the boat with a ramp entrance and lifts serving all decks. The signposting to the lifts could be have been better, as I missed the lift on the entry level and ended up walking up the stairs to the next floor. There is a lift on the ship itself as well as a lift shaft to one side of the ship. On the entry level the gallery has quite low lighting. The galleries are well laid out. On the entry level there are lots of information boards which are on the side of boxes, which convays how the boat might have looked when it was used as a tea clipper, packed with boxes of tea. There is also a model of the boat, which can be touched and some information boards in braille. On the middle deck there is better lighting and lots of interactive games to play. On the top deck there are impressive views with the chance to see the masts and ropes. Some of the cabins are open to the public but some require stepping over the threshold, see photo, and others only accessible by stairs, see photo. At the side of the ship is a lift shaft. On the ground floor is a self service cafe, views of the haul and a collection of figure heads which is well worth seeing.

Toilets

There were 2 accessible toilets, one on the top deck and one by the cafe on the ground floor. The toilets were spacious with grab rails and emergency cord.

Staff

I didn't have any intereaction with any of the staff. I visited as part of a group of friends, and someone else purchased the tickets. Although my disability is visable as I walk with a crutch when my ticket was being checked no one mentioned the accessible/ step free route and it would have been helpful/ nice if the staff had been proactive.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The ship is amazingly accessible and well worth visiting.

Photos