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Now the summer holidays are over and autumn is creeping in doesn’t mean you have to cut down on day trips or short breaks. Here are some of our top suggestions for wheelchair-friendly places to visit around the UK.
One great option is to visit one of the nation's beaches, especially at this time of year when the holiday crowds have dispersed. There are a host of wheelchair friendly beaches across the UK to enjoy, including Seaton in Devon, which has a wheelchair friendly platform to help you get down to the water's edge and Bournemouth in Dorset, which is one of the most accessible beaches in the UK.
If you’re looking for somewhere to remind you of those days of listening to fairy tales, full of mysticism and wonder as well as some very cute animals you can befriend, check out Fairy Tale Farm in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.
Image: Fairytale Farm
Not only is the site autism-friendly but has been built with accessibility in mind. The owners’ daughter has cerebral palsy and this inspired them to create something that was suitable for everyone, so this is somewhere that is incredibly wheelchair friendly. The pathways, attractions and activities are all suitable for wheelchair and other mobility aid users and you’ll also find accessible toilet and parking facilities, plus assistance dogs are welcome too.
If you’re an artistic type and want something to get those creative juices flowing, the Level Centre in Matlock, Derbyshire is a great choice. The centre is a purpose-built accessible building with a packed programme of visual art exhibitions, interactive installations and creative events suitable for all ages.
The site is registered with Purple Tuesday and is constantly improving their visitor experience, with many of the team being trained to work with various disabilities. The site also has hoists and an accessible shower room, as well as three accessible toilets. Throughout this month, there are a host of fabulous exhibitions, including Water Portals, an interactive digital adventure; Glisten Fest, a sparkly, sensory festival filled with light and sound and Necklace of Stars, which was created during the pandemic by older people and celebrates childhood.
If you want to see the autumn colours start to peek through and enjoy the changing of the seasons, why not head to one of the nation’s gardens?
Helmsley Walled Gardens near York have wide, flat paths throughout the gardens, so they can be easily navigated with a wheelchair, there are even some available to hire on arrival. The site also has accessible toilets and of course, assistance dogs are welcome to join in on your adventures too.
When it comes to spectacular places to enjoy the great outdoors, Helmsley should definitely be on your list. It’s set within the grounds of Helmsley Castle, creating a very atmospheric environment, plus the garden has been here since the 1750 and looks incredible, whatever the season.
Elsewhere in the country is Stourhead, a National Trust property with incredible gardens and parkland. Located in Wiltshire, Stourhead has accessible routes and maps showing you the best ways to see everything this stunning site has to offer. If you want to explore the house, you can make use of the stair climber and there are transfers available across the site, as well as powered mobility vehicles that you can hire for your visit.
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Image: Stourhead
That’s not the only National Trust place on our list, Calke Abbey in Derby is another site with amazing gardens and parkland, as well as a house to visit. Throughout there is level access and a Changing Places facility on site. Like other National Trust properties, you can take advantage of the shuttle transfers to get around and have access to powered mobility vehicles should you need them.
If you’re heading to Jersey for cheeky get away this September, you should definitely book a session with Healing Waves, especially if you want to give watersports a go – they provide a safe and fun way to enjoy the waves with surfing, paddleboarding and flowrider sessions. Or if you prefer to stay on dry land, Jersey Zoo is always a good day out.
The zoo is accessible by wheelchairs and mobility scooters and offers mobility aids for hire during your visit. Assistance dogs are welcomed, but you might find restrictions in some areas because of the animals that live there, do speak to the team when booking your tickets for advice. The site also has accessible toilets and displays that are at a suitable height for wheelchair users and pushchairs, so everyone can enjoy the interactive displays.
Looking for more options for a wheelchair friendly day out? Click here for more attractions and activities across the UK.
Related
The National Trust's Calke Abbey is a country house estate set among 600 acres of countryside and gardens in Ticknall, Derbyshire.
We want all our visitors to have a great time. Fairytale Farm has been designed to put disabled people first.
Our mission is to harness the ocean’s transformative powers to deliver life-changing ocean therapy to both children and adults living with conditions, disabilities and mental health struggles.
The garden is all on one level and is almost completely step free. There are steps up to the Orchid House within the garden; however the glasshouse also has ramp access with a hand rail.
Jersey Zoo opened in 1959 and is the headquarters of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, founded by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell.
Some of the team have had training in Disability Awareness, Deaf Awareness, Autism Awareness, British Sign Language and Makaton as well as being Dementia Friends and Mental Health First Aiders.
Accessible toilets in Spread Eagle courtyard. Mountain trike wheelchairs are available to hire. A Baronmead Stairmate Major stairclimber is available, enabling wheelchair users to access the house.
