Access information

At BFI Southbank we welcome everyone and want our venue to be available to as many people as possible.

We regret that the Lightbox Lift is currently not working. Engineers have been called to attend but in the meantime please use the alternative entrances on the black and white corridor (for NFT2 and front of NFT1 access) or Riverfront for access to the rear rows of NFT1.

To book access tickets or ask any questions about access, please contact our dedicated Box Office number on 020 7960 2102 (lines open from 12pm to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 6pm on Sundays) or email [email protected]. We welcome calls using text relay services.

• Accessible parking

• Accessible screenings

• Assistance animals

• Blind and partially sighted visitors

• Booking information

• Deaf visitors and those experiencing hearing loss

• Getting around BFI Southbank

• Getting here

• Parents, carers and guardians

• Visitors with restricted or limited mobility

• Relaxed screenings

• Safe spaces and quiet areas

• Toilets

 

Accessible parking

Parking

BFI Southbank does not have dedicated parking spaces. Blue Badge holders and those with access requirements can be dropped off by the BFI Café on Theatre Avenue.

Blue Badge Parking

There are a number of parking spaces for Blue Badge holders – see full details of parking for Blue Badge holders visiting BFI Southbank.

Accessible screenings

In all four screens we’re now able to provide audio description (AD) if available, via infra-red headsets, for those who are blind or partially sighted. Please collect and return your headset to the box office.

We’re also able to show, when a film is released with the option available, on-screen subtitles (DS) for customers who are deaf and those experiencing hearing loss.

Browse our list of upcoming accessible screenings.

Assistance animals

We welcome guide dogs and assistance animals at BFI Southbank and can accommodate them in cinemas. Please book in advance so that we can allocate the most appropriate seating. We are able to provide drinking water for your animal and, where staffing allows, can look after your animal during the screening.

Blind and partially sighted visitors

Guide dogs

We welcome guide and assistance dogs at BFI Southbank and can accommodate them in the cinemas. Please book in advance so that we can allocate the most appropriate seating. We are able to provide drinking water for your dog and, where staffing allows, we’ll be happy to look after your dog during the screening.

Accessible version BFI Southbank Guides

Accessible BFI Southbank Guides are available at the box office and a downloadable version is available.

Large print menus

Large print menus are available in BFI Riverfront and BFI Bar. Please ask a member of staff.

Audio description

See a list of screenings with audio description.

Magnifiers

The BFI Reuben Library has a ReadEasy Evolve Text-to-Speech reading machine, a Clover Book Video Magnifier and a range of analogue magnifiers available, as well as coloured page overlays to reduce visual stress.

Keyboards

The BFI Reuben Library has a large format contrast keyboard available on request.

The Mediatheque uses touch screen technology and on-screen text can be enlarged using the pinch-to-zoom function.

Booking information

To book access tickets or ask any questions about access, please contact our dedicated box office number on 020 7960 2102 (lines open from 12pm to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 6pm on Sundays) or email [email protected]. We welcome calls using text relay services.

BFI Southbank accepts the CEA card, which entitles the holder to one free companion ticket. For further information please visit the CEA website.

Deaf visitors and those experiencing hearing loss

All of our screens have induction loop facilities. We also occasionally present palantype and soft type screenings.

An induction loop is available at the box office, the BFI Shop and the BFI Reuben Library.

See a list of films screening with descriptive subtitles.

See a list of events presented with British Sign Language.

Getting around BFI Southbank

The main BFI Southbank foyer and box office entrance is on Theatre Avenue, by the National Theatre at street level.

There are stairs and a wheelchair accessible lift to gain access to the main foyer.

The BFI Riverfront entrance is on Queens Walk at street level. There are stairs and a wheelchair-accessible lift to gain access to the main foyer and a wheelchair-accessible lift to gain access to the Balcony Bar.

You can buy tickets from the box office located in the main foyer.

  • Access to NFT2 from the box office is via a lift or stairs
  • Wheelchair access to NFT3 is from our main foyer where our new NFT3 entrance is located. If you are a wheelchair user and are running late please ask at our box office counter and a member of staff will be able to assist.
  • NFT4, BFI Reuben Library and Mediatheque are all accessed via the main foyer and box office area
  • The Bar and Café are both fully accessible

Getting here

By car

Parking is available under the National Theatre (offer Upper Ground), or at APCOA South Bank. The Congestion Charge applies.

By train or tube

The nearest stations are Waterloo (South Bank exit), Embankment and Charing Cross (cross Hungerford Bridge to reach the South Bank). Please visit Transport for London for accessiblity information.

By bus

Please visit Transport for London for up-to-date information.

By taxi

Pick-up location is BFI Shop, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT.

Plan your journey

Use Transport for London’s journey planner to find your best route.

Parents, carers and guardians

All our public areas are accessible by lift for visitors using pushchairs and prams. We can provide storage for buggies and prams during performances for some screenings. Please contact us in advance if possible by calling the box office on 020 7960 2102 (lines open from 12pm to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 6pm on Sundays) or email [email protected].

There are three baby change facilities available. They are situated in:

  • the main foyer next to the Mediatheque
  • the ground floor corridor next to the lift
  • the NFT2 foyer 

We present a programme of films and activities for families every month.

Visitors with restricted or limited mobility

BFI Southbank has a number of spaces allocated for people experiencing restricted or limited mobility, including wheelchair users.

Please book your wheelchair seat in advance to avoid disappointment. This will help us allocate adjoining seats for any companions. If you wish to take your seat unassisted, wheelchairs or scooters can be stored in the foyer.

To book access tickets or ask any questions about access, please contact our dedicated Box Office number on 020 7960 2102 (lines open from 12pm to 7pm Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 6pm on Sundays) or email [email protected]. We welcome calls using text relay services.

If you need any further information or assistance, please speak to the box office manager on duty.

BFI Southbank is a multi-level building with lifts available to access each floor. The maximum dimensions for a scooter/powered wheelchair for these lifts is 880mm wide and 1330mm long with a maximum weight of 340kg.

There are a number of wheelchair spaces available in our screens:

  • NFT1 has four wheelchair spaces – two at the rear and two at the front of the cinema
  • NFT2 has two wheelchair spaces at the front of the cinema
  • NFT3 has one space at the front of the cinema
  • NFT4 has one space
  • BFI IMAX has a number of spaces allocated for wheelchair users. Find out more BFI IMAX access information

The BFI Mediatheque is located in the main foyer and has two wheelchair accessible spaces.

The BFI Reuben Library is located in the main foyer and has an accessible push button entry. All workstations are accessible by wheelchair.

Relaxed screenings

Relaxed screenings are presented each month for those in the neurodiverse community, their assistants and carers.

Find out more about our upcoming relaxed screenings.

Safe spaces and quiet areas

BFI Southbank is a complex building with a spacious foyer space and two busy bar and restaurant areas that some may find overwhelming.

We have identified some quieter areas that visitors may wish to use in order to get away from the crowds and these can be found in the following areas:

  • The Mezzanine: this is the balcony area directly above the Box Office and can be accessed by either the stairs or lift

If at any time you feel anxious, or need to be away from the public area for any reason, please speak to a member of staff.

Toilets

There are six toilets adapted for wheelchair users. They are situated in:

  • the foyer of NFT1 next to BFI Riverfront 
  • the Riverfront Balcony Bar
  • the main foyer next to the Mediatheque
  • the Mezzanine Gallery corridor opposite the Blue Room
  • the ground-floor corridor next to the lift
  • the NFT2 foyer

There are five ambulant toilets. They are situated in:

  • the foyer of NFT1 next to BFI Riverfront 
  • the Riverfront Balcony Bar
  • the main foyer next to the Mediatheque
  • the first floor in BFI Riverfront
  • the NFT2 foyer

There are 9 toilet cubicles for anyone to use. They are situated in:

  • the Riverfront Balcony Bar
  • the NFT2 foyer
  • the NFT3 rear lobby on the mezzanine level