If you are attending a Luna Cinema event, please note that the following does not apply – please check the Luna Cinema website if you require access information for those events.
The newly-transformed Kensington Palace has improved access for all. In terms of physical accessiblity this includes level access from Kensington Gardens to the palace, a lift to all floors for the first time, new wheelchairs and new portable seating to borrow during your visit. We also have developed new Describer Tours for blind and partially sighted visitors and will have a Braille leaflet available, and we facilitate British Sign Language Tours.
Tickets and prices for disabled visitors
As all floors of Kensington Palace are now accessible for the first time, visitors who are registered disabled pay the adult price unless they are OAPs or students in which case they pay the concession price. One accompanying carer enjoys complimentary entry. Please purchase your tickets in advance from our Contact Centre on 0844 482 7799 or from our ticketing room when you arrive at the palace.
Wheelchair access
With level access from Kensington Gardens and all three floors of Kensington Palace being accessible via our new visitor lift, wheelchair users will be able to enjoy a complete visit to Kensington Palace. Four manual wheelchairs are available to use on a first come, first served basis and cannot be booked in advance - please ask our Welcome Team on arrival. Please note that for health and safety reasons, staff are unable to assist in carrying wheelchairs or pushchairs, although our staff and volunteers will always do everything they can to help you get the most from your visit.
Visitors with limited mobility
Seating: In addition to the visitor lift, we have been careful to provide many opportunities to sit down, both in the State Apartments and exhibitions, and in the entrance rooms. Portable seating is available on a first come first served basis and cannot be booked in advance - please ask our Welcome Team on arrival.
Electric buggy in Kensington Gardens: Liberty Drives is an initiative by The Hyde Park Appeal to provide free mobility for anyone who finds it difficult to see all 760 acres of these beautiful parks, including Kensington Gardens within which Kensington Palace is situated. Electric buggies capable of seating up to five people and one wheelchair glide around the parks providing half hour rides. It is also possible to be dropped off at a favourite place and be picked up later. Operating times are 10am - 5pm, Tuesday - Friday, between May and October. To arrange pick up or for enquiries call 07767 498096.
Deaf and hard of hearing visitors
We are pleased to facilitate British Sign Language tours of either the King's and Queen's State Apartments, or Victoria Revealed, for deaf and hard of hearing visitors. We recommend choosing one per visit as they will take around 1.5 to 2 hours. Tours can be arranged between 10.00am and 3.00pm and must be booked at least two weeks in advance. There is no additional charge for a British Sign Language tour.
Videos in British Sign Language about visiting Kensington Palace will be available on our website here very soon. Blind and partially sighted visitors We are pleased to offer Describer Tours led by our Explainers of either the King's Apartments or the Victoria Revealed exhibition to blind and partially sighted visitors. We recommend choosing one of these per visit as they will take around 1.5 to 2 hours. Tours can be arranged between 10.00am and 3.00pm and must be booked at least two weeks in advance. There is no additional charge for a Describer Tour.
Braille leaflet: an orientation leaflet in Braille will soon be available in Braille. Please ask our Welcome Team on arrival.
Orientation and graphics
All visitors are able to pick up an orientation leaflet entitled "Access", with a map showing the four routes to choose from and highlights to look out for, plus advice on accessibility in these areas. Do ask any of the staff for this leaflet on arrival. Visitors are encouraged to converse with and ask questions of our Explainers to really explore the history, so at no point are graphics or text the only way of learning the history.
Toilets
Male, female and disabled toilets are provided both within the new cafe and inside the palace itself.
Disabled parking and taxis
There is limited disabled parking for Blue Badge holders next to the Orangery. Spaces are limited and it is necessary to book in advance by calling +44 (0)20 3166 6199. Please note that during winter months cars need to be off site by 4.00pm due to park closure.
Taxis can also drop off visitors at the Orangery and Palace but please be aware that there is not yet a specific setting-down point for disabled passengers. The Orangery restaurant has an access ramp. Taxis booked in advance by customers to pick them up after their visit will be allowed access to the grounds.
