The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. It has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects; its purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate.
Parking (Blue Badge Holders Only)
- The venue does have its own parking facilities.
- The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
- The car park is located in the courtyard outside the Royal Academy.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park surface is block paving.
- There is a/are clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
- There are two parking spaces available for Blue Badge holders in the courtyard at Burlington House. Please book at least one week in advance of your visit. To book call: 020 7300 8028.
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- Staff receive disability awareness / equality training.
- British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; large print.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- The mobility aids available include wheelchairs.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact the cloakroom staff in the foyer.
- For those who would like assistance, a trained volunteer escort can by provided. To book an escorted visit, contact the RA's Access Team. Please allow two weeks notice for your booking as this is a volunteer service. To find out more about the RA’s dedicated programmes and services for disabled audiences, please visit the website or contact them directly.
- The RA organise audio described tours and handling sessions for all their major exhibitions. If you are unable to attend these, recordings of these tours are available on their website. Trained volunteers can also offer descriptive tours of an exhibition.
- For hearing impaired visitors, the RA organise talks and gallery tours in British Sign Language and in spoken word with speech-to-text transcription. For hearing impaired children, Art Detective worksheets are available for all exhibitions from the Information Desk.
- Every year a number of sculptures in the Summer Exhibition are available to be explored by touch. They are identified by a list available online and within the Large Print Guides in the galleries.
Main Galleries
- The Main Galleries are located on the first floor of the main building.
- There is level access and space for wheelchair users to manoeuvre.
- There is wooden flooring with a shiny finish.
- There are some dark grids on floors which could be mistaken for holes by people with visual impairments or dementia.
The Fine Rooms
- The Fine Rooms are located on the first floor of the main building.
- They are used for corporate functions, learning activities, seminars, lectures and meetings.
- This includes the general assembly room
- Lighting levels are adjustable in the rooms.
- There is a fixed hearing loop in the Reynolds Room.
- There is level access and space for wheelchair users to manoeuvre.
- There is wooden flooring with a shiny finish.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Main Building - Ground Floor)
- The accessible toilet surveyed is for the sole use of disabled people.
- This accessible toilet is located off a passageway to right of the main stairs.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
- There is step free access to the accessible toilet.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Keeper's House - Lower Ground Floor)
- The accessible toilet surveyed is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- This accessible toilet is located in the Keeper's House on the lower ground floor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Keppers House lift.
- There is step free access to the accessible toilet, via lift.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Keeper's House - 1M Floor)
- The accessible toilet surveyed is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- This accessible toilet is located in the Keeper's House on the first mezzanine floor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Keepers House lift.
- There is step free access to the accessible toilet, via lift.
