Accessible Attractions and Family Days Out Across the UK
Hello everyone, Emma here from MotaClarity! I’m excited to be back with Mobility in Motion to share some great ideas for fantastic family days out across the UK that are accessible and fun for everyone.
Whether you’re planning a trip in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, we’ve got a variety of suggestions to make your day out enjoyable and stress-free.
Accessible Attractions in England
Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire
Alton Towers Resort is a fantastic destination for families seeking a thrill. The park offers comprehensive accessibility options, including a pre-bookable Ride Access Pass for those unable to queue and designated wheelchair access points for many rides. The resort also provides Changing Places facilities and sensory rooms, ensuring that everyone can have a comfortable and exciting day.
The Eden Project, Cornwall
The Eden Project is home to the largest indoor rainforest in the world. The site is fully accessible, with wheelchairs and mobility scooters available for hire. The biodomes have gentle slopes and lifts, and there are accessible toilets throughout the site. The interactive exhibits and beautiful gardens make it a wonderful experience for the whole family.
The Science Museum, London
The Science Museum in London offers an educational and fun day out for families. The museum is fully accessible, with lifts to all floors, wide pathways and accessible toilets. They also provide sensory maps and ear defenders for visitors with sensory sensitivities. Many exhibits are interactive, making it a great hands-on experience.
Legoland Windsor Resort, Berkshire
Legoland Windsor is a must-visit for Lego enthusiasts. The park offers a pre-bookable Ride Access Pass, accessible rides and designated viewing areas for shows. There are also accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities. Themed areas and interactive displays ensure a magical day for kids and adults alike.
Kew Gardens, London
Kew Gardens offers a peaceful and beautiful escape with extensive accessible paths, pre-bookable mobility scooters for hire and accessible toilets. The gardens are vast and varied, featuring everything from tropical greenhouses to scenic walking trails, providing a relaxing day out for families.
Beamish Museum, County Durham
Beamish Museum is an open-air museum that brings history to life. It offers a quiet space, sensory bags, wheelchair hire and accessible toilets. The museum’s vast outdoor setting, historic buildings and interactive exhibits provide a unique and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
Chester Zoo, Cheshire
Chester Zoo is one of the UK’s largest zoos and is highly accessible. The zoo offers pre-bookable wheelchair and scooter hire, accessible paths and Changing Places facilities. The diverse range of animals and interactive exhibits ensure a fun-filled day for the whole family.
The Deep, Hull
The Deep is an award-winning aquarium with a strong focus on accessibility. The venue provides accessible lifts, ramps and toilets. The interactive exhibits, including a glass tunnel and viewing tunnels, make it an immersive experience for visitors.
National Railway Museum, York
The National Railway Museum in York is a must-visit for train enthusiasts. The museum is fully accessible, with lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. They also offer wheelchairs for hire. The extensive collection of trains and interactive exhibits provide a fascinating day out.
Warwick Castle, Warwick
Warwick Castle offers a blend of history and adventure. The site includes accessible paths, ramps and accessible toilets. The castle provides wheelchairs for hire and has accessible viewing areas for seasonal outdoor shows. The interactive exhibits and historic buildings make it an engaging visit for all ages.
Accessible Attractions in Scotland
Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Zoo is a wonderful place for animal lovers of all ages. The zoo is highly accessible, with a range of facilities including wheelchair rental, accessible toilets and step-free routes around the park. The staff are also trained to assist visitors with additional needs, making it a welcoming destination for families with disabled members.
Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
Dynamic Earth offers an interactive journey through our planet’s history. The attraction is fully accessible, with lifts, accessible toilets and sensory guides available. The immersive experiences and hands-on exhibits are designed to engage visitors of all ages and abilities.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow offers an extensive collection of art and artefacts. The museum is fully accessible, with ramps, lifts and accessible toilets. The interactive displays and diverse exhibits ensure a captivating visit for the whole family.
The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk
The Falkirk Wheel is a unique rotating boat lift connecting two canals. The visitor centre and the wheel itself are fully accessible, with lifts, an accessible toilet and boat trips suitable for wheelchair users. It’s an engineering marvel that provides visitors with a fascinating day out.
Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie
Highland Wildlife Park offers visitors an accessible safari-style experience. The park has some wheelchair-friendly paths and accessible toilets. Visitors can drive through the main reserve or walk around enclosures, providing various ways to explore the park and see the animals.
Accessible Attractions in Wales
National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire
For a tranquil day out, the National Botanic Garden of Wales is a perfect choice. The garden offers accessible paths throughout, mobility scooter hire and a shuttle buggy service. The stunning landscapes and diverse plant collections provide a peaceful retreat for families to enjoy together.
Techniquest, Cardiff
Techniquest is a hands-on science and discovery centre that is fully accessible with ramps, lifts and accessible toilets. The interactive exhibits and workshops are designed to engage and educate visitors of all ages, making it a fun and educational day out.
Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
Cardiff Castle offers a blend of history and accessibility. The site includes accessible pathways, lifts and accessible toilets. The castle provides audio guides and tactile exhibits, ensuring that visitors with visual impairments can also enjoy the experience.
Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo, Pembrokeshire
Folly Farm offers a mix of farm animals, zoo animals and an indoor vintage funfair. The park is wheelchair accessible, with flat paths, accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities. It’s an exciting day out with something for everyone.
Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd
Snowdonia National Park boasts accessible trails and scenic railway journeys. The Snowdon Mountain Railway has accessible carriages, and there are accessible paths at various points in the park. You can even pre-book a free ‘tramper’, a specially designed, all-terrain mobility scooter. It’s a great destination for nature lovers seeking adventure and stunning views.
Accessible Attractions in Northern Ireland
Titanic Museum, Belfast
An interactive museum dedicated to the history of the Titanic. The museum is fully accessible, with features such as lifts to all floors, accessible toilets and pre-bookable wheelchair hire. The engaging exhibits and interactive displays make it an educational and entertaining day out for the whole family.
Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim
Giant’s Causeway is a natural wonder with accessible options. The visitor centre offers a Changing Places toilet and there is a looping section of the ‘green trail’ that is wheelchair-friendly. The site also provides accessible parking and toilets, making it easier for everyone to explore this unique landmark.
Ulster Museum, Belfast
The Ulster Museum offers a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences. The museum has many accessible areas, with lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. The exhibits are varied and engaging, catering to a wide range of interests and abilities.
W5, Belfast
W5 is an interactive discovery centre located in the Odyssey Complex. It features hands-on exhibits, workshops and live demonstrations. The centre is accessible with lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. It’s an exciting place for families to learn and play together.
Castle Espie Wetland Centre, County Down
Castle Espie offers accessible trails and hides for birdwatching. The site includes wheelchair-friendly paths, accessible toilets and free accessible car parking provisions. The natural setting provides a serene environment for families to explore and enjoy wildlife.
Additional Resources For Planning Your Summer Trips
To make your family days out even more enjoyable, here are some useful resources and links:
AccessAble: Detailed accessibility guides for various venues across the UK.
Euan’s Guide: Reviews and information on accessible venues written by disabled people for disabled people.
Changing Places: Find locations with Changing Places toilets, which are essential for many families.
Motability Scheme: Information on the Motability Scheme, helping disabled people get mobile.
VisitBritain: Official tourism website with a section dedicated to accessible travel.
Age UK: Resources and support for older people, including those with disabilities.
Rough Guide to Accessible Britain: Comprehensive guide with reviews and recommendations for accessible attractions and places across Britain.
Thank you once again to Mobility in Motion for inviting us to share these recommendations with their visitors. For more disability motoring news and information, be sure to check out the MotaClarity website.
Discover how Mobility in Motion’s wheelchair access vehicle adaptations can help you venture further afield and enable you to plan a fantastic family day out. Be sure to let us know where you visit!
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