Shortwave Cinema

The Shortwave Cinema is a very small, independent cinema located in Bermondsey Square. There's no easy train/tube access, so this is really only a destination for people who live near Bankside. If you do happen to be around the area, though, then this is a nice option if you fancy watching a film. 

The Shortwave is completely accessible. It is located on the ground floor and has indoor and outdoor seating as well as a very large size disabled bathroom. There is a bar that serves some nice beer and a limited, but good, wine selection. The nibbles are mostly heated up in a toaster oven, so don't arrive hungry unless this doesn't bother you. Although service can be slow, the people who work at The Shortwave are all incredibly nice.

The wheelchair seats are at the very ends of the first row in the cinema. There is plenty of room, but because they are on the very ends you do have to crane your neck a bit. However, it's not too bad.

On nice days, it's pleasant to sit outside and watch the world go by. Every Friday there is an antiques fair, and on Saturdays there is a small farmers market.

Keep an eye out for special events hosted at the Shortwave. By chance, we went to the Shortwave when Saint Saviour (Groove Armada lead singer Becky Jones) was warming up for an album party later that night. Great music, great time.

Details:
10 Bermondsey Square
London SE1 3UN
T: 0207 357 6845
www.shortwavefilms.co.uk

BFI IMAX

The BFI IMAX is a 500 seat cinema with a screen more than 20 meters high and 26 meters wide (for us Yanks, that's over 65 feet high and 85 feet wide). It's big. It's where you go when you're not up for the arty films at the nearby BFI and just want to relax with a blockbuster. Getting there is a bit tricky. It seems so easy since it's right in the middle of the roundabout by Waterloo. But to get to the entrance you have to use the subway, and only certain subway entrances have ramps (we do not recommend the lift to the subway on the Waterloo side -- kind of whiffy). Keep in mind that the subway itself may be a bit intimidating to a wheelchair user (or any pedestrian), especially late at night as lots of people seem to sleep rough there. 

The IMAX has a cafe as well as a bar. We were running late and so didn't try either but they appear to be accessible. Wheelchair users enter the theatre from the very top entrance. There is a lift that takes you up to the top floor, but if you don't have use of your arms then someone has to go with you since there are a series of doors that you need to open before arriving at the theatre entrance; there were no staff on hand when we were there to offer assistance.

The seating is a bit confusing. Everyone has a designated seat number on their ticket, but the wheelchair spaces are not numbered. If there are multiple wheelchair users, it is anyone's guess on who actually has dibs on the few spaces. 

One cool thing about watching films in England is that qualified disabled people can apply for a Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA) card, which allows an accompanying carer to have a ticket for free. http://www.ceacard.co.uk/. Another cool thing is that you can order popcorn that is sweet and salty. I miss the trough-size tubs of popcorn oozing with butter and salt, but Chazz says the small bags of sweet and salty popcorn are much more sensible. As usual, he's probably right.

Details:

Directions: http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_imax/visitor_information/how_to_get_here

Tickets and Enquiries: 020 7199 6000

Tube/Train: Waterloo

Buses: Loads -- check TFL web site for all routes.

British Film Institute on Southbank

The British Film Institue (BFI) (http://www.bfi.org.uk/) is located on the South Bank, near Waterloo station.  It is a destination for serious film lovers.  It houses one of the world's most in-depth film archives, and has world class learning resources.  We visited a learning room where people can watch old movies for free on private tvs (we watched the 1979 film "The Knowledge" starring Nigel Hawthorne, Mick Ford, and Kim Taylforth). But it's not all highbrow. The IMAX also is part of the BFI, and shows mainstream movies like "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" on London's biggest screen (located nearby to the main BFI facility).

The BFI is quite disabled friendly, but the lifts we used were the platform lifts rather than the typical built-in lifts, so we're not sure if the building was wheelchair accessible when originally built. It's probably best to enter through the front entrance rather than the rear, since the lift at the front did not require operator assistance. Still, all of the areas we looked at were wheelchair accessible, and the (helpful) staff informed us that the theatres also have wheelchair seating (we will confirm).  There is also an accessible lounge/bar area that looked quite nice for a pre-movie film drink or nibble (and the IMAX also has a cafe and bar). Sadly, the only thing missing was the smell of fresh popcorn.

South Bank itself is incredibly accessible, and is a destination spot for culture vultures, with the Tate Modern, Hayward Gallery, Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre, Old Vic and the BFI all located within easy walking (or wheeling) distance.

Details:

Transportation: Waterloo train station/tube station or buses 1, 4, 26, 68, 76, 77, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 211, 243, 341, 507, 521, or RV1. Apparently there is also underground parking at the Hayward Gallery.