If you’re looking for wheelchair accessible activities, there are thousands of fun opportunities available across the UK.
And the summer holidays provide the perfect excuse to travel around the country, whether you fancy getting outdoors by the coast, or venturing into the city for some day trips.
If you’re a wheelchair or mobility scooter user, it can be a stressful and disappointing experience trying to plan activities and trips. You might be worried about accessible toilets, unexpected steps, or whether your wheelchair can fit through corridors or doorways. But there are many attractions across the UK that are accessible for people with limited mobility.
Below, we’ve listed some of the top disabled access tourist attractions in the UK – so you can plan a fun-packed summer!
City Trips
Wheelchair accessible activities are everywhere in cities across the UK – but sometimes you have to know where to look.
If you have a city trip planned, remember to look for accessible accommodation, such as AbleStay. Most larger chain hotels will have rooms with disabled access, but you should contact your chosen hotel directly to check that it meets your needs.
And once you’re there, here are some of the top disabled access tourist attractions in cities across the UK.
1. The Science Museum, London
The Science Museum is one of London’s biggest tourist attractions, drawing over 3 million visitors every year. Based in South Kensington, it hosts different exhibitions from across the world.
It’s fully wheelchair accessible, and also hosts accessible events for deaf audiences, audio described events for partially-sighted or blind visitors, and provides concessionary tickets for the IMAX 3D cinema – with support workers admitted free. They also offer large print and Braille material.
2. The National Gallery, London
The National Gallery is home to more than 2,300 works of art, including paintings by Botticelli, da Vinci, and Monet. Entrance is free, although there may be a cost for some special exhibitions.
It has step-free access, and wheelchairs are available to book in advance if necessary. The Gallery has a Changing Places toilet, and there are lifts throughout the building.
3. Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry
Coventry Transport Museum has the world’s largest collection of British vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and bikes. It also tells the history of the city of Coventry.
The museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available to book for guests. You can share your access needs in advance with the museum, so that staff are ready to help you when you visit.
Additionally, all shop and museum assistants are trained in Makaton.
4. Riverside Museum, Glasgow
The Riverside Museum is a transport museum that hosts artefacts from hundreds of years ago all the way up to the most modern technology.
There is wheelchair access to all of the public areas, and there is a Changing Places toilet available.
Active days out
Maybe you’re a thrill seeker, wanting to plan a day out trying adaptive skiing, surfing, or swimming. Whether you want to splash around in a waterpark or try snow sports, there are wheelchair accessible activities for everyone!
Mobility Insurance
Cover available for:
- Mobility Scooter
- Powered Wheelchairs
- Manual Wheelchairs
- Cabin Cars
5. Chill Factore, Manchester
Chill Factore is home to Disability Snowsport UK, a national charity that enables people with disabilities to take part in adaptive skiing.
The centre can cater for people with limited mobility, as well as people with learning disabilities. It has a Changing Places toilet, and has adaptive ski equipment available for people who need it.
6. Celtic Quest, Pembrokeshire
Celtic Quest is a coasteering company based in Pembrokeshire. They can tailor their activities to suit many learning disabilities, including for people with mobility issues and learning disabilities. They have a coasteering kit to make you buoyant so you don’t need to be a strong swimmer – the daredevils among you may be interested in checking this out!
You should contact them in advance to discuss your requirements so they can plan appropriate wheelchair accessible activities.
7. Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
The Eden Project is a conservation project with plants from all over the world inside two huge biomes. It’s a wonderful day out to enjoy some of the weird and wonderful elements of nature, with good access.
Sandcastle Waterpark is the largest waterpark in the UK.
The facility has level access to poolside changing rooms, as well as a lift to the main changing area, and there is a hoist and changing bed available for guests who need it. There are also water accessible wheelchairs available for hire.
The waterpark will also let you hire beach wheelchairs, and has a Changing Places toilet and quiet room available for anyone who is visiting Blackpool.
8. The Wave, Bristol
The Wave is a great place to try adaptive surfing. They offer surf lessons for beginners up to expert level, and try to cater for people with physical or learning disabilities.
The whole site is wheelchair accessible, and changing rooms have seated showers available.
The facility does ask that you fill in an online form at least three weeks before your visit, and that you have some water confidence.
9. Calvert Lakes, Lake District
Calvert Lakes is designed to offer accessible activities for guests. Whether you want to try accessible rock climbing, sailing, zip wires, horse riding or many other activities, the team there can help.
Getting back to nature
If you want a more relaxing holiday, or want to immerse yourself in nature, there are lots of wheelchair accessible activities.
You might want to visit one of the wheelchair accessible beaches across the UK. While many beaches have steep steps or inclines, lots are easy for wheelchair users to visit, including:
- Skegness Beach, Lincolnshire
- Brighton Beach, Sussex
- Bournemouth Beach, Dorset
- Paignton Sands, Devon
- Summerleaze Beach, Cornwall
- Swansea Beach, South Wales
10. The Eden Project, Cornwall
The site offers wheelchairs and mobility scooters for hire, and there are easy access routes around the site. Other features include accessible parking, a Changing Places toilet, guides in a variety of formats, and free carer tickets too.
Big tourist attractions
Disabled access at tourist attractions is improving everywhere. There are lots more places we could have included in this list of wheelchair accessible activities – so here are a few extra!
You’ll find that some of the UK’s biggest and most popular attractions are already wheelchair accessible – so why not visit them this summer?
Warner Bros Studio Tour, Hertfordshire
The Harry Potter Studio Tour, based in Watford, Hertfordshire, is a wonderful day out for all the family. Whether you’re a mega-fan or you’re just friends with one, there’s something there are for everyone. You can roam around the real sets, see costumes from the films, and be stunned by the Hogwarts Express!
The majority of the Studio Tour is wheelchair accessible, although if more than three people in your party use wheelchairs, the facility asks that you contact them in advance.
If your mobility scooter is wider than 86cm, you may not be able to take it into the attraction. However, they have manual wheelchairs and folding stools available for guests. Carers can visit for free with a paying disabled guest, and there are BSL and audio-described tours available as well.
Cadbury World, Birmingham
Cadbury World gives visitors the opportunity to see the inner workings behind one of the biggest chocolate brands in the world.
It’s wheelchair accessible, and the Cadabra ride includes an adapted mobile car that can seat a wheelchair and one companion.
Cadbury World also offers a large print guide, audio tours, and subtitles on video presentations. There’s a Changing Places toilet, low level service desks, and handrails throughout the attraction, making it a great choice to include on a list of disabled access tourist attractions.
Eureka!, Halifax
Eureka! is made up of Eureka! Children’s Museum and Eureka! Science and Discovery. If you and your family are interested in science or just want a fun day out, this could be the place for you.
Both attractions are fully accessible, with a level entrance, lifts between floors, and a Changing Places toilet. Carers go free, and there’s even a chill out room for people who need a little quiet time.
London Zoo, London
London Zoo is a great day out for people of all ages, and it’s mostly accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility – so anyone can visit the Land of Lions, the Aquarium, and much more.
Some buildings and areas might not be accessible for all guests, and there are some uneven paths. Staff on-site are fully trained to provide support to people with additional needs, and there is a Changing Places toilet.
Wheelchair and mobility scooter hire is available at the Zoo, but this should be booked in advance.
Kew Gardens, London
Kew Gardens is a must-see for visitors to London, with thousands of different exotic plants on show. The garden paths are mostly flat, with tarmac paths, and many of the buildings are wheelchair accessible – although there are some where mobility scooters or larger wheelchairs may not fit.
Carers, people accompanying disabled guests, and blind or partially-sighted visitors qualify for free daytime entry.
Conclusion: Disabled Access Tourist Attractions
As you can see, there are plenty of wheelchair accessible activities around the UK on offer this year, whatever your interests. Whether you want to learn more about science or take up surfing, there’s something out there for you.
If you’re planning on travelling around the UK with a mobility scooter, make sure you’ve got mobility scooter insurance in place. This will give you the peace of mind that you’re covered, should an accident happen while you’re out enjoying yourself this summer.
