Accessibility – City Circular Route
Thames Explorer Challenge 1 – City Circular Route, follows the existing Thames Path north and south of the River Thames. We wanted to make this route accessible to all potential users and hope that the following information* will support anyone travelling with wheels or mobility issues.
City Circular Route overview
The vast majority of the City Circular Route proceeds along good, wheelchair-friendly surfaces, with little or no gradient. However, at a few points, such as at Millennium Bridge, Tower Bridge and a few ramps along the route, the gradient is steep enough to present a problem for the average wheelchair user. Cobbles and uneven flagstones particularly around Point 1, Tower of London/Traitors’ Gate, may also present difficulties.
We would recommend that wheelchair users of average ability or below take along a support person to both push and stabilise the wheelchair at certain points. For accomplished users, and/or for those who use sports wheelchairs the route is fully accessible.
Point 1 to 2
At Point 1, Traitors’ Gate, there is a challenging surface of cobblestones and uneven flagstones. Heading away from the Tower there is a short hill at the perimeter gates. The route continues with a good, flat surface to Point 2, Old Billingsgate Market, where there is a steep ramp (with handrail) with a 90 degree turning point.
Point 2 to 3
A good, flat surface in front of Old Billingsgate market leading to a long shallow ramp to the west of the market building, there is a 90 degree turn at the halfway point. From here to Point 3, St. Magnus-the-Martyr, the route is flat and good going.
Point 3 to 4
The route between Point 3 and Point 4, Cannon Street Railway Bridge, is flat and well paved.
Point 4 to 5
Good, flat surface to Point 5, Queenhithe Dock, except for small steep ramps at either side of pedestrian underpass at Southwark Bridge.
Point 5 to 6
Challenging surface of cobblestones and flagstones alongside Queenhithe mosaic. At the junction of Queenhithe Road with High Timber Street there is a step/kerb free camber and tactile paving for visually impaired users indicating the point to cross to High Timber Street, which is fairly narrow and uneven. Good, flat, even surface between Gardener’s Lane and Point 6, Millennium Bridge.
Point 6 to 7
At Point 6 wheelchair users need to use a lift to get to the northern access ramp of Millennium Bridge (if lift is out of order, use one at Blackfriars). There are very challenging slopes on either side of Millennium Bridge (travelling south to north is most challenging). From the south bank to Point 7, Shakespeare’s Globe, the route is flat with good paving.
Point 7 to 8
From Point 7 to Point 8, the Golden Hinde, the route is flat and well paved.
Point 8 to 9
Good, flat and well paved route between these points. Between the Golden Hinde and London Bridge use Cathedral Street and the northern pavement of Montague Close which takes you under the southern approach ramp of London Bridge. The route continues along Tooley Street and turns left along St Olaf Stairs – a well paved path. It then joins the river again and follows a well paved path to HMS Belfast, Point 9.
Point 9 to 10
Between Point 9 and Point 10, City Hall, the route is flat and well paved.
Point 10 to 1
Between Point 10 to Point 1 the route is mainly flat and well paved. At Tower Bridge, just under the southern approach ramp tunnel, there is a wheelchair-accessible lift. Wheelchair users will need to use the full length of the northern approach ramp on the downstream side of the bridge. At the end of this ramp turn right and cross the road onto St Katherine’s Way. There is a step/kerb free camber and tactile paving, plus a pedestrian island at this crossing point. At the junction with Cloister Walk cross St Katherine’s Way* at the step/kerb free crossing point, and take the tunnel under the northern access ramp of Tower Bridge (narrow pedestrian access gate). Challenging surface of uneven flagstones and cobblestones to Point 1 Traitors’ Gate. *Moderate gradient along St Katherine’s Way may be challenging.
Grateful thanks to wheelchair user and member of the Southwark Disablement Association (SDA) Alan Woodham, who trialled the route in December 2019 with Thames Explorer Trust teacher Neil Clarke.
*Thames Explorer Trust – a charity on a mission to encourage people to connect with, understand and become future guardians of the River Thames
FAQs
How long will the walks take?
Each walk was designed to take from between 2 to 3 hours, including looking for clues. However, we found that there were so many things to stop and look at on the way, discussions to be had and rests to be taken it took us longer
Are there toilet facilities on the route?
We are assembling a list of public toilets. If you come across one please send us an email so we can include it on the route webpage.
Is it really suitable for wheelchairs?
Each route varies, but we have tried to make them so that as many people as possible can take part. As a wheelchair user you will be aware that what may seem like a small obstacle can be potentially very difficult – even disabled ramps can be too steep to use without help. Levels of capability also vary hugely – we may not all be hardened ramblers! For these reasons we commissioned a wheelchair user to complete the route along with a member of our staff and an accessibility report is available on each route page.
Each route varies but we have tried to make them so that as many people as possible can take part. As a wheelchair user you will be aware that what may seem like a small obstacle can be potentially very difficult- even disabled ramps can be too steep to use without help. Levels of capability also vary hugely – we may not all be hardened ramblers! For these reasons, we commissioned a wheelchair user and a member of TET staff to complete the routes and help compile an accessibility report, these are available on each route page.
Can I walk the route after sunset?
In theory the routes could be completed at any time as they are self-guided, however some clues require daylight to see the answers – the name on a building etc. so they should be completed in daylight hours.
Why do you need to know my level of fitness on the sign-up form?
In the sign up form it asks us to comment on our fitness level. We are a group, how can we do this?
Can we share the booklet?
It’s really important for us to gauge how successful the routes are through recording the number of sign ups, so we ask you not to share the booklets with anyone who is not included in your sign up number ie if you said 30 people were taking part please only share the booklet with 30 people.
Are the booklets copyrighted?
The booklets and their contents are the hard work of several people at Thames Explorer Trust, as well as people outside of the organisation. The contents are the property of Thames Explorer Trust.
Do you share my information?
No. The only identifying information we have from you is your email address which is necessary to sign up. We will not distribute your email address or contact you using it unless you contact us directly by email first – eg. to let us know of something interesting you have come across on one of the routes.
We were unable to complete the route as the path was blocked
The routes take place on public footpaths which do from time to time, and for a number of reasons, get closed. If this happens to you please let us know so that we can update the news feed or even the map if it persists.
Do I need a smartphone to complete this?
You will need access to a computer to sign up and download the route booklets and to familiarise yourself with the general route (we recommend this). Beyond this we do not encourage people to use smart technology during the walk for several reasons but chiefly to spend some non-screen time and experience one of the finest cities in the entire world.
I don't have a printer
Printing ink can be wildly expensive. Public libraries usually have printers available for people to use.
Do I have to complete the route in one go?
No. You can come back to it as many times as you like and complete it over a number of days. Don’t submit your answers until you have got answers to all the clues.