2022 Guide to Top 5 Accessible Attractions in the UK
Top 5 Wheelchair Accessible Destinations in the UK You Must Visit in 2022
With one in 5 people in the UK living with a disability or health condition, wheelchair friendly places have grown and developed majorly in the past decade. More and more tourist attractions are paving the way for more accessible destinations, so everybody can equally enjoy a day out when the British summer months arrive. Whether you are after a nature-filled weekend away, looking to try unique adventures, or perhaps are ready to dive into the beauty of British history, our guide includes the best disabled friendly places to visit in the United Kingdom.
The 5 highlighted destinations below have taken serious action to provide training and adapting facilities to ensure that they are accessible to all members of the public. Read on to find out how the UK’s favourite destinations became more accessible for all in the South West and beyond.
The Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath
Reaching back to 60-70 AD, the Roman Baths have been a popular destination for many in the UK. If you have ever wanted to find out what it’d be like as a citizen back at the age of Roman Empires, then you must not miss out. Being 90% accessible to wheelchair users and to those with visual and hearing impairments, you will truly feel welcome at this breath-taking spa.
Accessible toilets are available, and the site uses British Sign Language and fully descriptive audio tours. Those visitors with claustrophobia and autism are also very welcome, and the tourist attraction offers information on how you can make the most of your visit too. Should limited access affect you then you are also permitted free entry for both wheelchair users and their cares to visit the main museum and Temple Precinct.
If you get peckish, why not visit The Grand Pump Room, a historic building adjacent to the Roman Baths where they serve delicious lunch, afternoon tea, and a wide range of drinks including water from the hot springs that supply the baths. This is one of the city’s most elegant places to enjoy stylish British cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea it is a great place to visit after visiting the Baths.
Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School in Cornwall
Have you ever thought about trying out sailing or going on a powerboat? Mylor Sailing are true believers that restricted mobility should not stop you from enjoying breath-taking experiences, so they accommodate disabled visitors of any ages! The Sailing and Powerboat School is situated in Mylor Yacht Harbour in Falmouth, Cornwall, and any of their activities are guaranteed the perfect way to spice up your Cornish staycation in 2022 and beyond.
They offer a wide range of large and versatile boats, the impressive aspect about this sailing and powerboat school is that they also include accessible and adapted boats in their fleet. There are scheduled sessions for members of the public with any kind of physical disability, impairment or learning disability, so you can feel comfortable whilst getting out of your comfort zone this summer. They have accessible sailing boats as well as accessible powerboats which are fantastic for anyone with physical disabilities including wheelchair users and people with learning disabilities and mobility problems.
Cottage in the Dales in Newbiggin
If you are looking to get lost in the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll be excited to know that the Dairy from Cottage in the dales accommodate visitors with disabilities. Whether you are a guest with visual, hearing or mobility requirements, this luxury accommodation is suitable for all, making it the perfect stay for both able-bodied guests and those with accessibility requirements.
A few fantastic routes to visit during your staycation in Yorkshire include:
Ripon Riverside Walk
Newburgh Priory and Colley Broach Road
Aire and Calder Canal and Southern Washlands Nature Reserve
This cottage was the first one in the UK to make their space fully accessible to guests with accessibility requirements and also warmly welcomes guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs.
Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool
If you are hoping for a summer full of water-based activities in the beautiful British sunshine but are not quite ready for a speedboat yet, then it’s time to check out Sandcastle Waterpark. It’s the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, offering more than 18 rides and attractions to their customers. Offering a wide range of different areas as well as fun days for children and birthday parties, this waterpark is an ideal destination for anyone looking to enjoy some fun in the water around Blackpool. They have an accessibility page, with which you can plan your experience at the facility.
Leisure businesses are leading the way in which their facilities are enjoyed by disabled people with Sandcastle Waterpark being a prime example. The waterpark offers a wide range of services and facilities for guests with hearing impairment, autism, vision impairments, mobility impairments and has a wide range of accessible facilities.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax
Museums are a perfect activity on those rainy days, and when you are planning a city staycation in the UK. Established in 1992, Eureka! The Nation Children’s Museum in Halifax was the first children’s museum in the UK, and luckily for you, it is now completely accessible for wheelchair users. The museum offers a wide range of interactive exhibits which explore sound, the digital world and how it operates as well as how domestic life operates on a day-to-day basis. The Museum was named one of Britain’s most accessible tourist attractions by tourist boards across the United Kingdom and essential carers are permitted free to the museum. This is yet another example of tourist attractions in the UK that are leading the way in accessibility for guests and members of the public across the UK.
Every person has the right to enjoy a great day out at their favourite destinations with families and friends, and the efforts that the above tourist destinations are putting in to make them 100% accessible for those with disabilities is truly industry leading. Whether it’s vibrant cities, the dramatic countryside or adrenaline pumping activities across the UK, you will be able to enjoy all with the help of this handy guide.
Alexander works for Stairlifts2u and specialises in marketing & market-trend analysis.
