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Access Statement

Access Statement

Welcome to Bateaux London, the capital's leading dining cruise experience on the Thames. Offering scheduled dining cruise experiences, Bateaux London's repertoire includes Lunch, Sunday Lunch Jazz, Afternoon Tea and Dinner cruises as well as Exclusive Hire and Private Dining.

Combining quality dining, superb entertainment and spectacular views from the river, our unique dining cruises capture the excitement of this great city from a truly special perspective.

Gliding past London's best-loved sights, Bateaux London's cruises are a momentous and memorable way to experience the capital. With daily cruise departures from Embankment Pier, guests are offered a dedicated reception area, easy access to boats and cloakroom facilities, making your experience with Bateaux London a smooth-running one.

We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone +44 (0)330 123 9044 or email reservations@bateauxlondon.com.

Pre-Arrival

  • Bateaux London’s website www.bateauxlondon.com contains all of the information you’ll need regarding pre-arrival and frequently asked questions, all of which is confirmed to you in your e-ticket when you make your reservation. Menus are available to download too and all of the information can be requested in large print.
  • Bateaux London is located at Embankment Pier on the River Thames. Embankment Pier is opposite the Embankment underground station, which has clear signage directing you to the pier, but unfortunately this station does not have step free access. Please arrive via London Waterloo or London Charing Cross Main Line stations, which are a short walk away from Bateaux London.
  • There are coach stops along the Victoria Embankment which stop directly outside Bateaux London, these are:
    • Stop Y – Big Bus and The Original Tour sightseeing buses, 771 and 772 coaches
    • Coach Stop – 731,734 and 737
    • Buses – 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 77A, 91, 176

Car Parking Facilities and Arrival

  • There isn’t a dedicated car park for Bateaux London; however there are 10 parking bays along the Victoria Embankment. These are pay and display spaces that are charged at £4.40 per hour for a maximum four hour stay.
  • The Victoria Embankment is smoothly paved the whole way along and has plenty of pedestrian crossings. There are public toilets including disable and baby change facilities on the north of Victoria Embankment opposite Embankment Pier. Toilets are available on board but only once you have boarded the vessel so guests are recommended to use the public facilities before arriving at Bateaux London.
  • Upon arrival at Embankment Pier you will find two ways to access Bateaux London. The main entrance has six small steps up to a ramp that will take you directly down to the Bateaux London reception. Wheelchair and pushchair users should enter via the Thames Clippers entrance to the right of the pier which has ramp access from street level down to the boarding area. Wheel chair users must follow the ramp up to the covered reception area to check in.
  • All guests are required to check in at Bateaux London’s reception and exchange your e-ticket and gift voucher if applicable for a boarding pass. The reception is accessed through the main entrance, or via the ramp through 2 x 113cm heavy manual sliding doors which staff members will open for you. Entrance to the boat is via the ramp to the boarding area and over a small bridge to the vessel. Our crew will assist with all members of the public entering and exiting the vessel.

Restaurant, Bar & Bar Area

  • Once on board, you will present your boarding pass to the restaurant manager who will allocate a member of staff to seat you at your table. Our tables have a clear height of 65cm, enough to comfortably accommodate a guest seated in a wheelchair, or if you would prefer, we can store wheelchairs away for the cruise and guests can use the restaurant chairs with armrests provided. Drinks and food orders are taken by our service team, so there is no need to leave your table to go to the bar.
  • The Harmony vessel is our disability friendly vessel, offering all facilities on one level. She has large windows to allow for the best possible views and natural light, and uses low-energy lighting. The lobby area has wooden laminate flooring whilst the main area has a combination of wood laminate and short pile carpeting. The main suite has a wide 135cm entrance and our private dining areas, the Albert Suite and Thames Suite, have door widths of 187cm and 157cm respectively.

Customer Toilets

  • Arriving on the boat there is a unisex disabled toilet directly in front of you with seating areas to the left and right. The toilet has a door width of 77cm and a floor to toilet seat height of 41cm, with space to the right of the toilet bowl for a wheelchair. There are two grab rails and an emergency pull-cord is due to be installed by the end of 2013. Additional male toilets are located on the main level and female facilities are located downstairs.

Outdoor Areas

  • There is an outside viewing/smoking deck that guests may wish to use throughout the cruise which is located at the rear of the vessel through a door width of 155cm. This door has a small step/raised door frame which guests can usually easily manoeuvre over.

Additional Information

  • The River Room vessel is crewed by four members of the marine team, including a captain. They are all fully trained in first aid and dealing with emergency situations. There will also be a full team of servers and a restaurant manager on board to help with any queries or needs you may have.
  • Our lunch cruises provide commentary describing the landmarks and sights along the river. A portable Infra-red system is available to facilitate the provision of clear sound to the hearing impaired.
  • Our lunch and Sunday lunch cruises include a three course set lunch menu and gluten free, dairy free, nut free and vegetarian options are also available on the day. Menus can be downloaded from the website or emailed to you in large print. Other dietary requirements are requested to be submitted a minimum of 5 days prior to the cruise date to ensure we can accommodate them. The afternoon Tea cruise menu offers a mixed platter of sandwiches and a selection of freshly baked cakes and treats. Dinner cruises offer a four course a la carte menu.
  • Emergency and evacuation procedures - If it becomes necessary to evacuate the pier before a sailing members of staff will escort guests to the evacuation point at the ticket office on Victoria Embankment. Should there be an emergency whilst we are cruising; guests would be alerted by the Captain of the vessel who would issue further instructions.
  • Guide dogs and hearing dogs - Bateaux London welcomes guides dogs and hearing dogs and will provide water bowls for them. Please notify us in advance if you will be bringing your dog with you.
  • Mobility Scooters/Battery Powered Wheelchairs - There is space in reception for you to leave your mobility scooter and charge it by connecting to the mains whilst you are on the cruise.

 

Contact Information