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The Engine Rooms and Shop

Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Facilities available in the venue include: exhibition areas, a gift shop, Braille and tactile information, accessible and standard toilet facilities.
    • View information on opening times.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: some exhibition areas and the area in front of the exit gate that leads back through the gift shop.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and narrow aisles.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a portable hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and walking aids.
    • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: Stools, wheelchairs and Rollators/walking frames are available in the Engine Rooms.
    • View more information on borrowing or hiring equipment (opens new tab).
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille and large print.
    • There are wheelchairs, Rollators/walking frames freely available and portable stools in two sizes are available to the right as you enter the exhibition, these are for visitors to take around.
    • All dogs, not just assistance dogs are welcome in the exhibition.
    • There are no restrictions on food and drink apart from nuts and alcohol, which are not permitted.
    • Large print/high contrast and Braille/tactile versions of the guide book are freely available from the rack above. British Sign Language tours of Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms are organised for the last Saturday of the month. They are delivered by a Tower Bridge accredited guide and a BSL accredited interpreter. Booking and payment in advance is recommended to secure a place. Spare places will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
    • Several times each year there are also Deaf-led tours in BSL.
    • Tower Bridge hosts a Relaxed Opening on the third Saturday of every month for anyone who would like to explore the Bridge in a calm, tranquil atmosphere, including people with autism and other neurodiverse needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers. Places are limited and are booked as a timed entry slot. For more information about the event please email learning@towerbridge.org.uk or telephone 020 7940 8397. The Visual Story can be viewed or downloaded before the visit to help guests to know what to expect.
    • Large print/high contrast and Braille/tactile versions of the guide book are freely available from the rack above the portable stools, to the left of the lift.
    • British Sign Language tours of Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms are organised for the last Saturday of the month. They are delivered by a Tower Bridge accredited guide and a BSL accredited interpreter. Booking and payment in advance is recommended to secure a place. Spare places will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
    • Tower Bridge has partnered with SignVideo to facilitate the visit of deaf and hard of hearing people who use British Sign Language (BSL).
    • To book, please contact bookings@towerbridge.org.uk or telephone 020 7407 9191.
    • Several times each year there are also Deaf-led tours in BSL You can find more information including the next dates here
    • All dogs, not just assistance dogs, are welcome in the exhibition.
    • A sensory toolkit is available in in the Engine Rooms. This includes a pop-up tent, ear defenders, a weighted blanket, tactile objects and cuddly toys. The kits are freely available to anyone who may be feeling distressed or overwhelmed.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
  • Related Access Guides View

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located ahead as you enter the exhibition area and to the left.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the right as you enter the main entrance.
    • The gender inclusive step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the right as you enter the main entrance.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located from Shad Thames on the south bank, beneath the south side of Tower Bridge, facing west.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 168cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right as you enter.
  • The distance from the entrance is 4m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 85cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: some sections of the exhibition area and in front of the exit gate leading to the gift shop.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: benches.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Shop

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • Access throughout may include narrow aisles (less than 120cm).
    • The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
    • The majority of product aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the shelving and floor throughout this area.
    • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
    • Signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The venue has a payment counter.
  • Payment Counter View
    • Signage is provided for the counter.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • The queue width is between 120cm and 150cm and the width at each turn is under 150cm.
    • The payment counter has a television and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • The height of the payment counter is 100cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
    • The card payment machine is portable.
    • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Exhibition Space

  • This area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: some sections of the exhibition space (slopes between them).
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Display information includes: braille, tactile, pictorial, audio description, audio guides, information boards, televisions/screens, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and multi-language audio.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour.
  • The following areas of the tour have step-free access via ramps or slopes: There is a slope leading up to the exit barrier that takes you into the shop.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead as you enter the exhibition area and to the left.
    • The distance from the entrance is 12m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 170cm (width) x 210cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 87cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 93cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 100cm and 140cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 79cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.