Access at the Trafalgar Theatre
Access bookings here are handled by the theatre's own access team, not by us. Their details are on the theatre's website.
The lift goes down to the Stalls only. The Dress Circle is reached by stairs and there is no step-free route to it. Anything you read describing this building as step-free throughout is describing it wrongly.
Getting to the door
The foyer, the Foyer Bar and the Box Office are all at street level on Whitehall.
The pavement immediately outside the main entrance is raised by two steps. There is a flat pavement on Spring Gardens, the street running parallel behind the theatre, and the theatre's own step-free entrance is on that side. It brings you into the foyer at street level, and the lift goes down from there.
The Stalls, by lift
From the foyer the lift goes down to Stalls level and you enter the auditorium through rear Stalls Entrance A or B, depending on where you are sitting. From the Stalls Bar the auditorium is level.
By stairs it is 25 steps down from the foyer and Box Office to the Stalls Bar.
The lift is small: maximum 65cm wide, 110cm long and 225kg. Mobility scooters cannot be taken in it.
Wheelchair spaces
Wheelchair and companion spaces are on the aisles in Stalls rows B and H. Not at the back of the Stalls, and not at the ends of rows A, B and C, both of which appear in older guides and neither of which is right.
Wheelchair users are asked to arrive 20 minutes before the performance.
The Dress Circle, by stairs
There are three doors into the Dress Circle and all of them are up steps:
- Entrance A: 14 steps up from the foyer, coming in at row G, seat G1
- Entrance B: 21 steps up, coming in at seat M1
- Entrance C: 25 steps up, coming in at seat M17
Inside the auditorium there are three steps between every row, going down towards row A or up towards row M from wherever you come in.
Toilets
There are toilets at Stalls level, including an accessible toilet, and the lift reaches them. The Dress Circle toilets are 22 steps up from the foyer, with another set a further 9 steps up beyond the back of that level.
Hearing
Two systems rather than one: induction loop necklaces for hearing aid users, and headsets for sound amplification if you do not wear one. Both run on the theatre's Radio and Mobile Connect equipment and the devices come from the kiosk.
Assistance dogs
Guide dogs are welcome in the auditorium. If you would rather not take the dog in with you, a member of staff will look after it during the performance.
Help on the night
Staff assist access customers on request, and they will bring drinks to disabled customers in the auditorium. The Stalls Bar is down a flight and the Dress Circle has none.
Booking an access ticket
Access seats and companion tickets are booked directly with the theatre's own access team, through the contact details on its website.
FAQs
Is the Trafalgar Theatre wheelchair accessible?
The Stalls is. There is a flat entrance on Spring Gardens behind the theatre, a lift down from the foyer, and wheelchair and companion spaces on the aisles of Stalls rows B and H. The Dress Circle is stairs only.
Is there step-free access to the Dress Circle?
No. The three entrances are 14, 21 and 25 steps up from the foyer, and there are three steps between every row inside. If steps are difficult, the Stalls is the level to book.
How do I get access tickets at the Trafalgar Theatre?
Directly with the theatre's own access team, using the contact details on its website. They handle access seats, companion tickets and the accessible performance schedule for whatever is playing.
Can I bring a mobility scooter?
Not into the lift, which is the only step-free route into the auditorium. The lift takes a wheelchair up to 65cm wide, 110cm long and 225kg. Speak to the theatre's access team in advance if you use a scooter.