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Welcome to part two of our series of accessible places to visit over Autumn. Last time we focused on Cardiff, today we’re going to look at some of the larger cities in the UK’s south east region.
We’ll begin with the capital. Considering its age, London is incredibly accessible, especially where the attractions are concerned. The tube network is upgrading to be more accommodating and you’ll find all the accessible stations clearly marked on tube maps. The taxis and buses are accessible though, so wheelchair users can get around the city fairly easily. If you plan on driving yourself, Blue Badge holders get a discount on the congestion charge.
Image: London
London’s parks are all accessible with the majority of the pathways being flat, wide enough for mobility aids and very few stairs. St James’ Park with its views of the historic Horse Guard’s Parade and Buckingham Palace is a popular place to while away the hours with a picnic. There are also benches at intervals along the pathways so there are always places to rest. Hyde Park is another park with lots of flat areas as is Queen Elizabeth Park in Stratford. One of the oldest parks is Regent’s Park which is the home of London Zoo which has lots of accessible facilities, including being wheelchair friendly. Nearby are top attractions like Madame Tussards, which also has accessible facilities available.
Image: Buckingham Palace, London
Naturally you won’t run out of things to do in London and all of them have worked to make themselves as open and inclusive as possible. They not only have been making improvements where possible to make sure that there are facilities such as hearing loops and guides suitable for those with visual impairments and sensory needs as well as being wheelchair accessible. Many attractions also offer concessions to those visiting with their carers.
Heading towards the coast, Brighton also has a number of accessible attractions and places to visit. While the parking in the town isn’t the best and the train station is at the top of a very steep hill, the public transport is reliable and are accessible. Once you’re down in the centre by the beach, the majority of paths are flat and easy to navigate, though beware that the shopping area, the Lanes is very narrow and can be overwhelming for anyone with a sensory condition. That doesn’t mean you should rule out a visit to this city though, it’s full of culture and with the many attractions and gig venues there, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied.
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Image: Brighton Pier
One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Brighton Dome which, while a Grade 1 listed building, is actually very accessible. They hold a range of signed performances and have hearing loops installed. As well as that, there are lifts, large print options and accessible parking making it a great place to catch a show or just to explore.
The Brighton Eye is also accessible and has pods which are suitable for wheelchairs and scooters, as well as ramps to get you in and out of the pod, so for a wide reaching view of the city and the ocean, give it a go.
Image: Brighton Eye.
Right on the seafront you’ll find an aquarium which also offers a free entry for registered disabled carers, accessible toilets and various wheelchair and limited mobility access. Its’ a great family friendly option for somewhere fun to go.
A bit further along the coast is Portsmouth which is an absolute must for people with an interest in boats or maritime history. Portsmouth is open to everyone, whatever their accessibility needs with many of the attractions being recently updated to be more suitable to a wider range of people.
Image: Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
Being relatively small, Portsmouth is incredibly easy to get around and with the pathways that are mostly flat, it is easy to navigate. There is plenty of accessible parking throughout the city and the businesses across the region have signed up to the Community Toilet Schemes where certain pubs, restaurants and more offer free access to their toilets.
Image: Portsmouth centre
The Mary Rose Exhibition is one of the more popular attractions and has recently updated to make it more accessible, with ramps, changing rooms and hearing systems throughout. Portsmouth Museum is also accessible and literature fans will love visiting the birth place of Charles Dickens. Though it is a listed building and therefore there are constraints on what updates can be done, there are staff who are trained in disability awareness and lots of effort has been made to make it as accessible as possible to visitors.
Like the sound of these places? Take a look at the accommodation options available for you here.
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Sources:
Visit Portsmouth
Visit Brighton
Visit London
