For wheelchair users and anyone who is concerned about standing up in a crowd for the hour and a half that the Show takes to pass, the grandstands are by far the best bet. As well as the banked seating there are places reserved for wheelchairs, each with space for an accompanying carer if required. You can buy grandstand tickets online or by calling the ticket office on 01908 300106. Don't delay: the number of wheelchair spaces is limited and the whole grandstand sells out long before the day of the Show.

Crowds

The busiest parts of the route are around St Paul's and Mansion House. If you're at all concerned about the crowds, or might be a bit unsteady on your feet, please avoid those areas. In quieter places like Fleet Street the crowd should be much more manageable and you should be able to use folding chairs. There is also less of a crush during the return leg of the procession, so for wheelchair users the best option is to head for Victoria Embankment at about 1pm.

If you decide to go for the first leg of the procession - which is usually a bit more lively - and you want to be at the front of the crowd, try to get there by about 10. Front row positions are bagged quite early on.

Driving and Parking

Due to the strict security (and safety) regime, only vehicles with approved passes are allowed within the Show area. Most visitors have to travel to the Show by tube - there are no buses in the area either - but special arrangements can be made for those unable to use public transport.

For blue badge holders the best option is to park in Farringdon Street and then watch the show from Ludgate Circus. This will require a special security pass that you can obtain from Tony Lock at the City of London. All applications should be made at least a week before the Show. He will need details of the car (including make, model, registration number and colour), along with the name of the driver and your blue badge number. Tony can be contacted by phone or email on 020 7332 3037 or tony.lock at cityoflondon.gov.uk. Please note that there is no space for parking on Queen Victoria Street as this year it is reserved for coaches.

Public Toilets

Accessible WC's are provided at various locations around the parade route including Blackfriars Bridge, Farringdon St (junction with Ludgate Circus), New Change and on Queen Victoria Street (junction with Cannon Street). All of them are marked on our one page map. Not all these WC's are Part M standard accessible WC's: for full details please check with Tony Lock (020 7332 3037). There are also a number of wheelchair accessible WC's within train stations around the City. Many of these are opened using a RADAR key which can be obtained from the charity RADAR.

Access in the City

The City of London Access team produce a booklet entitled Access for disabled people in the City of London. This can be downloaded from the web or ordered from the Access team: call us on on 020 7332 1995 or email access@cityoflondon.gov.uk.