Accessibility
Merton Pride has been designed to be as accessible as possible, working with the Merton Centre for Independent Living. There is level access across the two venues and the 1.2-mile parade route. There are multiple accessible travel options to both venues and accessible toilets at both venues.Â
There will be Pride Accessibility and Well-Being Champions to assist and advise at both sites. Look out for their Green Hi-viz vests (or ask any Pride Marshall who can help you find them). Assistance will also be available at the Merton Pride stalls at Merton Abbey Mills and at Morden Hall Park, where you will also find a friendly welcome at the Merton Centre for Independent Living stall.
Travel
Main car and pedestrian access to the site is off Morden Hall Road (A24). Postcode SM4 5JD. There is alternative pedestrian access via Phipps Bridge Tram Stop (with tram services from Wimbledon and Croydon) which is just under half a mile from the event area across grassland paths.
The venue is accessible by bus, the closest stop to the park entrance is Morden Hall stop E, served by routes 45, 80, 157, 164, 201, and 470. A wider range of buses are available at Morden Underground Station (500 yards from the park along Aberconway Road). Morden station (Northern Line) has step-free access via platform hump and a lift to/from the platforms.
There is parking in the car park from 9 am, 200 metres from the event area. This is free for the first 90 minutes (free all day for Blue Badge holders and National Trust members). There are nine Blue Badge parking bays. National Trust car park attendants can provide advice and assistance.
The route to the event area from the car park/street entrance is over a hump-backed bridge constructed of wooden slats, then a loose gravel-on-dirt path to the lawn. The route proved accessible in most wheelchairs. The event is held on the area known as ‘White Bridge Lawn’, adjacent to a main pedestrian intersection in the park.
The National Trust has a small number of foldable wheelchairs that can be loaned for use in the Park.
Facilities
The event area is on well maintained grass, accessible in a wheelchair though slightly bumpy. Food and drink is available from the Potting Shed Café next to the car park which has a level and accessible entrance, and the Stableyard café next to the event area. Both cafes have accessible toilets as does the Snuff Mill building. These are gender neutral and all within 100 yards of the event area.
There is no fixed seating within the event area, but there is seating 50 metres away in the picnic area by the entrance to the Stableyard. Pride marshals will be able to provide portable seating around the event area on request.
Assistance and support animals are welcome. Please keep them on a short leash in the Pride Fair area. See also the Park’s profile on AccessAble: Morden Hall Park – Park | AccessAble
There will be a main route ending at Merton Abbey Mills (1.2 miles/2 kilometers) and a short route option which accompanies the main Parade for about quarter of a mile before looping back to the start along a level boardwalk, for a total distance of approximately half a mile.
The main route follows gravel and tarmac paths through level parkland, crossing a tramline and a road crossing. Pride Marshalls, St John’s Ambulance and Security staff will travel with the parade and will also be stationed at the two crossings to provide assistance. Please make St John’s volunteers aware of any personal medical needs before the march begins at 2 pm.
Parade Viewing Areas
As an alternative to joining the parade, you can move ahead of the marchers to one of the two viewing areas: in the Park close to the Pride Fair or close to Deen City Farm (around 1 kilometer from the Fair).
Travel
There is very limited parking on site, accessed from Watermill way, off the A24. Postcode for drop off is SW19 2RD. There will be a small number of designated disabled parking bays which you can reserve in advance, subject to availability. Please contact us via the contact form on the website at least 24 hours in advance and we will do our best to assist.
There are several ways to access the site by bus:
- 470 to Merton Abbey stop: 300 metres – on tarmac – from the entrance along the A24 to Watermill Way.
- Take the 131, 219, or 57 to Abbey Road bus stop, this is 700 yards from the entrance, walk through the car park under Sainsburys and past the Chapter House for a fully tarmac route.
- Take the 200 or 152 bus, stopping at Runnymede bus stop, 500 yards from the entrance. For a fully tarmac route navigate along the main road towards Colliers Wood, turning down the A24 at the roundabout and then turn Watermill way, or if you are alright on a gradient of about 20° you can take the shortcut leading downwards towards KFC outside of the Travelodge past the new David Lloyd gym – be aware that this means navigating through a car park.
The closest Underground Station is Colliers Wood – there is no step-free access from this station. The closest station with step free access is Morden, from where you can take the 470 bus (as above).
Facilities
There is a unisex disabled toilet on site (portable unit near carpark entrance, and the William Morris pub within the Mills complex also has a unisex disabled toilet for their customers.
There will be a Quiet Room available at the event with lower lighting for those in sensory overload, this will be located next to St John’s Ambulance and equipped with chairs and floor cushions. Please respect the space, equipment and other users.
Merton Abbey Mills is a historic venue, there may be some access limitations and hazards along some routes within the area, however there is step-free access to all of the event spaces – please ask one of our Accessibility and Welfare Champions (in Green hi-vis vest) or any event volunteer (in yellow high-vis) if you need assistance to find the best route for you.
There is seating around the Bandstand area for customers of the food and drink outlets within the Mills. Food and drink are available at a variety of vendors within the Mills. We also have a number of portable stools if you cannot find seating at a particular area. Please ask one of our Accessibility Champions or Pride volunteers.
Assistance and support animals are welcome. There is no induction loop at this venue – speech and songs will be amplified using a PA system. The venue uses festoon lighting, similar to 60w lightbulbs.
Please find us at the Merton Plus info stand (in between the Bandstand and the Watermill) if you have any questions or need any further help.
