My wife and I have been planning a trip to London for months. Recently, my wife has begun to suffer from ankle pain which limits her mobility. She dislikes using a wheelchair, but walks of over 50 yards are painful. We are to stay in the City itself and fairly close to the Monument tube station. We have already ticked off the major sites-- Tower of London, Tate Modern, etc-- and are hoping for suggests for 5 days in or near London. Thanks
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2456 posts
Has she thought about a walker, the kind where you can sit down when tired or in pain?? I resisted it for a year but the cane really limited how far I could go so I gave in. I had broken my back and was afraid it would limit my travels but the walker has not stopped me at all. Something to consider.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8913 posts
I am so sorry for your wife. This has to be hard. One of our regulars on this forum travels with a foldable electric scooter and he and his wife have done some amazing travels. I am hoping he will respond with information.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
718 posts
You may want to take a look at the bus routes as there can be a lot of walking and stairs within some of the Tube stations. It is also a nice way to see the neighbourhoods and sights while being able to rest her ankle.
Posted by
Denver, Colorado, USA
713 posts
You may want to take a look at the bus routes as there can be a lot of
walking and stairs within some of the Tube stations. It is also a nice
way to see the neighbourhoods and sights while being able to rest her
ankle.
I agree with that. ^^ Also, if possible, I'd plan (and adjust the budget) to take taxis around London, at least part of the time, for the ultimate savings in steps.
OP - at first I read your post as just asking about getting around London, but it says the you're hoping for suggestions for 5 days "in or near London." Are you looking for suggestions of places to visit in or near London? If so, it would help to know your interests. For example, if Kew Gardens is of interest, you can rent a mobility scooter or use a manual wheelchair inside the gardens, which would allow your wife to explore and enjoy in comfort. https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/visit-kew-gardens/accessibility
I note your comment that your wife dislikes using wheelchairs - and I understand that! - but they seem practical to use when inside a venue in order to experience the visit in comfort. I haven't explored it, but there's a website with info on accessibility at thousands of public places (restaurants, etc.) in the UK. I believe it goes beyond just wheelchair issues into other accessibility/mobility matters: https://www.accessable.co.uk/
EDIT after I wrote all that about wheelchairs ('duh!!): Has your wife tried using a "knee walker" aka "knee scooter" to rest her painful ankle? My friend Google found information on renting one of those in London. I have NO info about this company, I'm just providing a link so you can see what I mean: https://www.mobilityequipmenthiredirect.com/mobility-equipment-hire/3458-knee-walker-hire-in-london-england/
I used one of those things years ago when I broke an ankle. It was a lifesaver!
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank you for your helpful suggests. The bus routes were something I had been wondering about. We have walked, and loved Kew Gardens and knowing there is an alternative to hiking the garden is very good.
Posted by
New England
701 posts
Another big vote for buses and black cabs. A few years ago one of my London visits coincided with a painful flare up of a chronic foot condition. I never noticed how much walking is needed in tube stations until that visit. Busses were so much easier on my foot. And cabs saved me on more than one occasion when I just couldn’t walk ten more steps.
I used the Citymapper app to navigate the bus system ( also good for tube and walking directions).
Good luck and I hope you both enjoy your visit.