Day in London with mobility issues in January

[threekidsandcrazy]

Help! My sister and I are taking my mum to London for the weekend in January (it's her birthday). Walking is a struggle for my mum, so tubes are not going to work for us. It will be cold. Suggestions for what to do on Saturday? We're going to the theatre on Saturday evening and are staying will have all day Saturday to fill. DM likes coffee and people watching and a little culchure; she likes the idea of shopping but can't walk far or stand for long. Lunch on Saturday will probably be our main meal, but I am hesitant to book until I've got an idea of what else we might do / see (so can book something close-ish). We're not looking for "sight seeing" particularly, just something nice to do with three adults which doesn't require much walking (which is why we are stumped: DSis and I normally walk everywhere ...) Any suggestions would be most welcome ...

How are you getting to London? Would your Mum consider a wheelchair? Most places in London are accessible with wheelchairs, including all the galleries, lots of tubes (tube maps show which ones have step-free access). You can hire them for the day for about £50, I think, and most companies will deliver.

Alternatively, you can enquire whether the place or places you would like to go have wheelchairs for hire. I work for a major cultural institution which has wheelchairs and mobility scooters for free hire (you have to book in advance). PM me if you would like more detail.

Have a look at the south bank complex. Their access is superb, (step free access everywhere), there are always plenty of people around and things 'happening'. The view across the river is lovely, seats available on a number of different levels. Plenty of space on the east side entrance for a taxi to drop you off, its sheltered from other traffic so not too difficult to get out of the taxi and i to the building.

Can recommend the restaurent, too. The yellow singing lift on the east side is a great talking point, too. In winter, its good to be indoors, too. Their events are good too, but i would go there even if there isn't anything I particularly want to see, since its so easy. Hope it works well for you.

Ooo, thanks, FinallyHere. Have just googled it and am now laughing my socks off at the yellow singing lift. We could spend all day in that ... :) Yes, think South Bank may be the answer. Haven't been there for ages so not sure how "not walking" friendly it is and what kinds of things there are to do there (I have just walked along the river / sat and watched the world go by outside, neither of which mother-in-winter friendly!).

LondonHuffyPuffy: my mum won't countenance a wheelchair yet (WHY WHY WHY but that's another story) but she might if it were for just one thing (i.e. a gallery). Top tip re booking -- the kind of thing I didn't know. Thank-you.