Overview

Historic Site with John Wesley's first purpose built chapel in London and the Museum of Methodism in its crypt. There is also the Foundery Chapel and gardens in which are various memorials including John Wesley's grave. John Wesley's House, is a Georgian town house with has many of his belongings and furniture. Free admission, donations appreciated.

Transport & Parking

I travelled by public transport. The nearest tube stations are Old Street and Moorgate, neither of which are step free. The nearest step free tube station is King's Cross and from there you can take the 214 bus which stops almost outside the Museum/ Chapel.

Access

The buildings are in their own grounds and located around an open courtyard. If you are facing the chapel take the paved path on the right which will is step free to the entrance to John Wesley's House and the Chapel. There is a permanent ramp into the Chapel and once inside the ground floor of the chapel is level access. There is also a balcony above with tiered seating but I'm unsure if this is step free. Below the Chapel is the Museum of Methodism which can been reached by stairs with handrails or lift. The Museum, shop and accessible toilets are all in the crypt with level access and lit by artificial light, which I'm unsure if the levels would be too low for some visitors. In the main building there is the Foundery Chapel which is a small chapel, accessed by 4 steps with a handrail on the right hand side going up. John Wesley's House has level access to the ground floor only. When I visited I was informed by staff in the museum that a tour was being conducted but I could go to the rear entrance and knock on the door. The rear entrance involved 2 steps down and 1 step up to gain access. Previously when I've visited I have gone via the front door which is step free, I therefore I assume this is the entrance for wheelchair users. On the ground floor is the dining room and a back parlour with built in cupboards. There is a front garden with some seating which is step free. At the back of the Chapel there is a rear garden which has 2 steps down into it and a double door which is quite heavy. Once in the garden there is level access to John Wesley's grave and there are seats. It was extremely pleasant to sit there as it was quiet and there were lots of birds. There are gates at the rear with steps and a ramp that leads down to it but I'm not sure if the gates are open for access.

Toilets

There is an accessible toilet in the crypt, which is accessible via a lift or stairs. It's spacious and clean with grab rails. The emergency cord was short (sorry forgot to bring my red Euan's cord cards with me that day). There is a sign on the wall saying "the light in the toilet automatically switches off after 5 minutes and I wasn't sure where you could switch it back on.

Staff

Staff were very helpful and welcoming, but I only saw 2 of them. 1 lady was at the museum and when I asked about visiting John Wesley's House she explained she couldn't leave the museum and gave me directions. Then another member of staff opened the door for me at Wesley's House.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

There is a virtual tour of the Museum, Chapel and Wesley's House on their website. Bunhill Fields, step free cemetery is directly opposite. , which has the graves of John Bunyan, author of a Pilgrims Progress, Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe and William Blake, poet.

Photos