The National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery, London, WC2H 0HE, United Kingdom | 020 7306 0055 | WebsiteSuperb accessibility, toilets leaves something to be desired
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This review is especially helpful for those who have or use the following: Powerchair
Overview
Excellent in every way: good lifts (when they're working, which is usually), good staff, easy access all areas.
Transport & Parking
The nearest step-free tube station is probably Green Park, which is quite a long way off. If you're arriving by train at Charing Cross it's only a short distance to the gallery. Several bus routes will drop you off in or near Trafalgar Square.
Access
Excellent lifts and ramps give access to all areas. I'm not 100% sure about the reliability of the lifts. I once got trapped on a mezzanine level for over an hour because a lift broke down after I got there and I wasn't able to leave. The staff were great, though, and offered me any refreshments I could imagine. So check out the lift situation before your visit, and hope for the best during your visit.
Toilets
The accessible toilets are good. But the one in the basement, on my previous visit, had its red emergency cord tied up high and out of reach of anyone who might fall to the floor. The luxuriously HUGE toilet near the basement café had its red cord chopped off (see picture)! This is incomprehensibly stupid. These cords should hang freely all the way to the floor so that someone who falls over can summon assistance. Three stars lost for all this.
Staff
All staff everywhere were adorably and unobtrusively helpful and friendly. Especially so in the basement café. Full marks.
Anything else you wish to tell us?
Delicious chocolate fudge cake in the basement café - strongly recommended.
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