Accessible Day Out South Bank

Morning

High on Art

Start your day with a leisurely visit to Tate Britain. The gallery contains an impressive collection of British art from the 1500s to the present, with special areas dedicated to the works of Blake, Constable and Turner.

Go in at the Manton entrance on Atterbury Street, which has ramped and handrailed access. There is also a disabled lavatory near this entrance and a lift to the main galleries.

There's a choice of cafés at Tate Britain. So you can stop for a cup of tea and a snack before going out on the river.

The Tate to Tate Boat, run by Thames Clippers, leaves every 40 minutes from Millbank Pier (just in front of Tate Britain) to Tate Modern, stopping at the London Eye on the way. The pier was renovated in 2003 and features a specially commissioned lighting installation by artist Angela Bulloch, which illuminates it at night. Continuing the artistic theme, Damien Hirst designed the boat's interior and exterior.

The boat is accessible, but do make the staff aware of where you want to get off. As the only ramp is at the back of the boat, they need to make sure they berth accordingly.

A flight on the London Eye is a must as the views are superb. There's adequate space in the pods for wheelchair users, and staff will slow or stop the Eye and help chair users on and off.

Lunch

Time to Refuel

Get back on the boat and head down to Tate Modern. You could have lunch at the lovely restaurant on the seventh floor. The views are spectacular. Nearer the ground, the Tate Modern Café serves sandwiches, snacks and cakes and overlooks the gardens.

If you fancy a pub lunch, try the Founders Arms. This attractive riverside pub has ramped access on the Blackfriars Bridge side and an accessible loo.

Afternoon

A Date with the Bard

If you're keen for more art, Tate Modern has a fantastic permanent collection of 20th century and contemporary art.

There is level, ramped or lift access to all seven floors and wheelchairs, walkers and electric scooters can be reserved in advance. As there's a lot to see here, you may like to make use of the portable stools, just to take the weight off your feet now and again.

If you're a fan of the Bard, visit Shakespeare's Globe, a short distance from Tate Modern.

The Globe exhibition is an interactive look into the life of Shakespeare. Learn how special effects were created in Shakespeare's time and see the sort of costumes that people wore during the period.

Alternatively, plan ahead and book tickets for a performance at the Globe Theatre. The theatre has been reconstructed to model the original open-air playhouse built in 1599. Between May and October it hosts productions of the work of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and modern playwrights. Book Shakespeare's Globe tickets online.

The building has been made accessible with lifts between the museum and theatre, and wheelchair lavatories.

Evening

Wine and Dine

If you just can't get enough of the romantic London skyline, have dinner at Swan at the Globe Restaurant on the river. The "very British and delicious" menu serves up locally sourced ingredients with boutique wines.

Or have dinner a bit further along at Cantina Vinopolis, part of Vinopolis, London's favourite wine-themed attraction. Housed underneath large Victorian arches, the cantina is the creation of award-winning restaurateurs Claudio Pulze and Trevor Gulliver. Needless to say, the international wine list is superb.

South Bank - An Accessible London Area

The South Bank is really accessible in general due to the riverside walkway and numerous accessible attractions. As well as the attractions above, you can visit Gabriel's Wharf shops and restaurants, the Southbank Centre and National Theatre, The Old Vic and Young Vic, and BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX cinemas. See our Access Maps outlining step-free routes around Waterloo, the South Bank and Westminster.