Access
Our Box Office and Customer Service team is dedicated to making your visit to Glyndebourne as enjoyable as possible.
It’s often easier for both you and us if we can talk through your requirements, to ensure we make your visit as smooth as possible.
If you have any specific accessibility requirements, particularly if this is your first visit to Glyndebourne, please contact us on +44 (0)1273 815000, via email boxoffice@glyndebourne.com or through our Live Web Chat service
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Access Services
Helping us to help you
- You have access requirements, this includes wheelchair users and those with mobility restrictions, also those who require a companion to accompany them
- You require a reserved parking space close to the auditorium
- You need to bring an assistance animal to Glyndebourne or into the auditorium
- You require additional hearing support
- You need to borrow a wheelchair
Companion Tickets
If you need to bring a companion with you for access reasons we offer a free companion space.
We would ask you to ensure a member of your party is able to provide you with assistance around the grounds.
Site access
Lift access
Lift access is available to all levels. However, stairs are unavoidable to access the seats in the Stalls, Circle and Upper Circle. We have one small central lift and a large glass lift recommended for wheelchair/mobility scooter users. Wheelchair access to the auditorium is only available at Foyer Circle level.
Accessible toilets
Adapted access toilets are situated on the Blue and Red sides at Foyer Circle level and next to the Middle & Over Wallop and Nether Wallop restaurants.
Access parking
Complimentary access parking is available and must be reserved ahead of your visit with the Box Office. Our accessible parking spaces are located in front of The Plashett Building at the foot of the main car park. These spaces are a short, step free distance from the auditorium.
If you have booked accessible parking please ask one of our car parking attendants to direct you when you arrive on site.
Arriving in the Coach Park
If you are using our Coach Service from Lewes station you will arrive at our Coach Park. There is a path along the terrace leading to the auditorium. There are five steps up to the Foyer level. We also have wheelchair access via our Organ Room which is signposted. You can book a wheelchair space on the coach service (limited availability).
Hearing support
We have two Sennheiser Sound Enhancer options available for people with hearing impairments including in-ear devices and devices to connect to hearing aids. Please contact the Box Office for more information and to reserve the correct equipment.
Assistance animals
If you need the support of an assistance animal they are welcome to attend and can join you in the auditorium. Please contact the Box Office ahead of your visit if you need to bring an assistance animal.
Access to the gardens
Across the Gardens we provide step-free access. Please be aware there are no paved footpaths once you are on the lawns.
Access to the Marquees and Picnic Benches
All Marquees, stretch tents and picnic benches have step-free access or can be accessed using the lifts.
Auditorium access
Step-free access
There is step-free access to the auditorium from the car park and the coach park.
In the auditorium there are spaces reserved for wheelchairs or mobility scooters (depending on size) at Foyer Circle (ground level) only.
The auditorium has a number of stairs and steps at each level; please see the guide below to assist you.
The Stalls are unsuitable for Wheelchair users or those who are uncomfortable when navigating stairs. The Stalls are accessed by at least 11 steps.
The Foyer Circle provides accessible seating. A number of seats have step-free access.
For wheelchair users, we have 2 central spaces and 4 side boxes. You can view a full-size map of the seats, including wheelchair spaces, here. We also have a limited number of wheelchairs available if you would like to borrow one. Please contact the Box Office to reserve a wheelchair.
The Circle is unsuitable for Wheelchair users or those who are uncomfortable when navigating stairs. The Circle is accessed by at most 6 steps.
The Upper Circle is unsuitable for Wheelchair users or those who are uncomfortable when navigating stairs. The Upper Circle is accessed by at most 24 steps.
In addition, we would not recommend this seating area for those who suffer from Vertigo.
Accessible performances
Audio-described performances and touch tours
We offer audio-described performances for specific performances. An audio description of the characters, actions, costumes and set design is provided through a headset, which has no impact on other members of the audience.
These performances a preceded by a touch tour where blind and partially sighted audience members can familiarise themselves with the design of the space, costumes and props ahead of the show itself.
There are performances of L’elisir d’amore and Don Giovanni with pre-recorded audio description and touch tours on Wednesday 22 and Friday 24 November 2023. Please contact the Box Office to book this service.
Chilled performances
During these performances, there’s a casual approach to noise and movement in the audience. It’s ideal for those who feel more at ease knowing they can go in and out of the auditorium during the show. Chilled performances mean, for example, that someone living with dementia is free to ask a companion what’s happening on stage, or a parent with a babe in arms knows they can leave the auditorium and come back as they need. There will also be a large screen relay of the performance in a smaller room near the auditorium. As there aren’t any adaptations to the production itself, this Chilled Performance isn’t suitable for those with sensory sensitivities.
On Saturday 16 December 2023, our Christmas Concert will be a chilled performance.
Quiet Spaces
During your visit, if you find that you need a quiet space we have these available. The Organ room can be used during the performance if you need to come out of the auditorium and you can continue to watch the performance on a TV screen. We also have a privacy room and a first aid room with a dedicated first aider on duty throughout each performance should you need assistance.
Restaurant access
All of our restaurants are step free and therefore are accessible to wheelchairs, please see details for each restaurant below.
We provide a free shuttle service to and from the restaurants to help accommodate wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.
Mildmay is situated adjacent to the main customer car park with a small incline to the opera house. Therefore, this is the most accessible restaurant in terms of location. Inside the majority of the dining area and toilets are step-free, excluding two small areas of seating on either side which have two steps.
Middle & Over Wallop and Nether Wallop restaurants are located on the RED side of the opera house, furthest from the main car park and up a steep incline. The main entrance to both restaurants is via a number of steps. Wheelchair access into Nether Wallop is from the side of the restaurant. Middle & Over Wallop can only accommodate Wheelchairs on the top and middle tier of the restaurant.
There is a wheelchair stair lift in Middle & Over Wallop (please be aware we can only accommodate standard manual wheelchairs on the lift with a maximum limit of 200kg).
Please contact the dining team ahead of your visit to talk through specific requirements for your visit +44(0)1273 812510 or email reservations@diningatglyndebour.com.