Overview

If you are in London and want to enjoy some art then visit the RA or Art as it is a great venue with some impressive art collections. The website has detailed Information on access, how to get there and facilities available. Discounted rates are available (e.g just £10 plus carer free to see the current Painting the modern garden exhibition - Monet, Matisse) etc). It does however, get very crowded and in a wheelchair it is hard to both get around the building and see the exhibits unless people are prepared to make space for you. Today I visited in a manual wheelchair but I normally go in my powerchair which enables me to see the paintings more easily. Restaurants and Cafes are accessible but get very crowded. Gallery cafe is currently closed which makes it even more difficult. Gallery does run some special tours between 9 -11 am for wheelchair users to certain exhibition so check the website and prebook if you are able to get there by 9 !

Transport & Parking

If you pre book there are two disabled car parking spaces (call direct on access line) which can be booked from 10 am to 2pm or 2pm to 6pm (require 7 days notice). Alternatively you can get a taxi. Avoid the tube if you are permanent wheelchair.as the nearest tube stations may have lifts but actually reaching the correct tube line is virtually impossible even post the 2012 Olympics. Try the bus instead.

Access

There is clearly visible ramped access to the Burlington House building and plenty of staff to ask how to get to the exhibits or toilets. There is the large (but very busy) Sackler lift to access the different floors of the gallery. You can access the Keeper House via the Sir Hugn Casson cafe on the right as you enter.

Toilets

There is just one sign posted disabled toilet on the ground floor next to the gentleman's toilet. It is very busy with queues all day which can make access to the toilet itself very difficult. However, I asked a member of staff and they kindly took me through the Sir Hugh Casson cafe to the Keepers House which has a separate small lift which gave me access to a second disabled toilet on the lower ground floor with no queue. I have been to the RA of Art on at least 6 occasions and you just have to be prepared to queue or take my advice and visit the toilet in the Keepers House just 2 mins away

Staff

The main staff are always very helpful but cafe staff rushed off their feet.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The cafes are busy and crowded so be prepared. After you have visited the RA of Art you can always cross over the road to have a browse around the world famous Fortnum and Masons which is very expensive but you could have tea or coffee there in the Parlour which is accessible (the other restaurants have difficult access) or pop to Pret a Manager down the road which is a lot quieter and cheaper !

Photos