London Accessible Countryside
Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of London.
Accessible London - offers pages of accessibility info from visitlondon.com including getting around and parking.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Avery Hill Park - Greenwich - "large, open parkland with many splendid trees is notable for Greenwich University's winter garden (a magnificent hothouse)" - "Wheelchair access and toilet facilities are available for disabled people." - from the Greenwich Council website
Beverley Brook Walk - "A walk of 6.5 miles, closely following the Beverley Brook through Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park and Barnes Common to the River Thames upstream of Putney - the south end is mostly level, some uneven woodland paths" - from the Merton Council website
- there is an wheelchair route through Richmond Park also see the trail leaflet
- or download a leaflet from our archive
Bushy Park - details of access and facilities - from the Royal Parks website
- The AccessAble website has an Accessibility Guide for the park
Charlton Park - Green Flag Award - "large, level, open and grassy park boasts Charlton House to the west of the site. It's one of the finest remaining examples of Jacobean architecture" "The playground has integrated access for wheelchair users" - we understand there is also a sensory garden - from the from the Greenwich Council website
Coulsdon Common - The western side of the common is quite flat and is particularly suited to those with mobility problems. The grazing paddock in the Grove has gates designed for wheelchair access but due to the nature of the clay soil these areas can be muddy in winter"
- Download a map from our archive
Dollis Valley Greenwalk - "a 10 mile walk linking green spaces along the Dollis Valley, starting in Moat Mount, Mill Hill through Barnet and into Hampstead Heath." "...is mostly flat with hard surfaces making it suitable for walkers, runners and wheelchair users. The weather can make parts of the walk muddy or icy." - from the Barnet Council website
- Download the Trail leaflet from the Bsrnet Council website
Farthing Downs - "Gates at most entrances. Unsurfaced paths (apart from a short section from the car park to the information point). Disabled access and toilets at the car park. There are many marked paths, bridleways and permissive rides however, the ground may be rough and uneven in places and can be muddy during winter. Please be aware that we have cattle (cows, calves and a bull) and sheep on Farthing Downs throughout the year"
Greenwich Park - 74 hectares (183 acres) - "Greenwich is the oldest enclosed Royal Park and home to a small herd of Fallow and Red deer. Situated on top of a hill, visitors enjoy sweeping views across the River Thames to St Paul's Cathedral and beyond" - We understand there is good access to the park with surfaced pathways and tracks. See the Park Map on the Royal Parks website
Gunnersbury Park - "There is a network of tarmac paths within the park at Gunnersbury. However, because the park is a natural environment, paths may be uneven in places. There is ramped access at both ends of the mansion terrace, which has a thin, compacted gravel surface. Seats are positioned along the paths, especially those surrounding the lawns in front of the mansions." - from the Gunnersbury Estate website
Hampstead Heath - "A large number of surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Mobility scooters at the Lido available to book for free (To book, please call 020 7485 5757). Dedicated disabled parking bays at each of our four car parks. Disabled toilets at locations around the Heath"
- Download a map from the City of London Corporation website
Highgate Wood - "a quiet haven for walkers and runners but also has spaces for cricket, football and other sports - as well as a café and children's playground." "All gates are accessible to wheelchairs, EXCEPT Lodge Gate which has nine steps and New Gate which is located at the bottom of a steep slope. Mobility scooter access is via Onslow Gate only. Disabled parking access is via Onslow Gate; the disabled car park is near the café. - from the City of London Corporation website
- Download a map from the City of London Corporation website
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens - "Those with limited mobility may enjoy a free Liberty Rides buggy journey around the park that takes in the key sites of the 308-hectare (760-acre) parkland. Most paths are wheelchair friendly and there are accessible toilets throughout the parks." - from the Visit London website
London Wetland Centre - "There is level access around the site. Level access hides. Manual wheelchairs available to loan. Peacock Tower – three storey with lift. Three mobility scooters available (a suggested £5.00 voluntary donation to go towards the maintenance of our scooters would be greatly appreciated). Please call ahead to book. - from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust website
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - "The Park has been designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible for a wide range of visitors, employees and future residents." "We think that our Park might be the most accessible in the UK. This means that the Park offers good step-free access, hard-standing surfaces, regular seating and accessible Blue Badge car parking for each of the venues. The venues themselves have been designed to offer high levels of accessibility with facilities provided across the Park including; accessible toilets, accessible changing facilities including baby changing facilities, induction loops and audio assistive systems." - from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park website
Thames Barrier Park - We understand that the Thames Barrier Park is accessible to those with disabilities. Please check with them before travelling
Walthamstow Wetlands - "In the Lee Valley a cluster of reservoirs have been transformed into Europe’s largest urban wetland reserve. Walthamstow Wetlands is a 211-hectare site comprising ten reservoirs that provide drinking water for London and which are internationally recognised for their importance for migrating birds" "The Engine House and main concrete pathway through the site are accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties. As a nature reserve the remaining pathways on the wetlands site are dirt track so may be uneven or muddy in places. The Engine House has a platform lift and there are accessible toilets with ramp entry." - from the London Wildlife Trust website
- Download a site map from the London Wildlife Trust website
Wandle Trail - 14 miles / 20km - "There are both walking and cycling routes, which coincide for much of the way but differ in places. Part of the trail is National Cycle Network Route 20. In places, the ground is uneven, making the trail difficult for wheelchair users, but improvement work is in progress. The leaflet describes alternative routes for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, where necessary." - from the Merton Council website
- Download the trail leaflet from the Merton Council website
- also see the Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust website
West India Docks - We understand this route is suitable for wheelchairs and prams with mainly tarmacked surfaces and only minor slopes.
- Download the walk map from the Canal & River Trust (sadly no accessibility info)
You can also download an older version from our archive that has some accessibility info - "This route is suitable for wheelchairs and prams with mainly tarmacked surfaces and only minor slopes. There is a small section of the route which is not level. Here an alternative accessible route has been identified on the map with the wheelchair user symbol. All DLR stations and the museum at West India Quay are wheelchair accessible"
Woodberry Wetlands - "Among the tower blocks of Hackney, you’ll find one of London’s hidden natural gems. Lose yourself in 11 hectares of reed-fringed ponds, loved equally by wildlife and the people that come to visit" "Wheelchair-accessible: level access into the reserve, with no steep gradients" - from the Thames Water Utilities website