First up, Big Ben. Now, I’d love to say I’ve felt every intricate detail of its iconic clock face, but sadly, that’s not quite how accessibility works. I don’t think Miss Molly would appreciate abseiling. When I reached out to the House of Commons, I asked if there were any tactile displays to help blind visitors understand the mechanics of Big Ben. While they don’t have anything quite like that yet, they did invite me to a tour - and honestly, I can’t wait. There’s something thrilling about standing beneath that enormous bell and feeling the vibration of the chimes shake through the air. Sound is everything to me, and in a way, Big Ben is one of the most accessible landmarks in the city—you don’t need sight to experience its presence. Navigating London can be chaotic, especially with my guide dog, Miss Molly. She’s not a London-trained dog, which means The Tube is tricky for us as she’s not trained on escalators, and I’d rather not risk her gorgeous, fluffy tail getting caught in one. So, it’s taxis and escalator-free stations only, which adds a whole extra layer of planning to any day out in the capital. There is a map for step-free stations, but what’s frustrating is the lack of information on which ones have stairs but no escalators.
