Accessible Christmas events in South East England

Image: Winchester Science Centre

For those of you in the South East or travelling to visit family and friends, here is the low down on what is taking place this Christmas season throughout the region.

Find gifts and get into the spirit with local markets

Christmas Tree Wonderland, Bournemouth

This free festival trail is wheelchair friendly, running from Horseshoe Common to the Triangle, the Square, then through the Lower Gardens and down to the seafront which is also wheelchair friendly.

Mobility scooters are available to hire for the event, via 08000 151102 or visit www.bl-care.com for more information. There are also various disabled toilets situated around the site.

As well as the festival trail, there is also a Christmas Market, Alpine Lodge and ice skating, though you will need to check with the organisers for further accessibility information.

Winchester Christmas Market, Winchester Cathedral

This popular annual market can get very busy, so please be aware of this if you have any issues with crowds or need additional space. Assistance dogs are welcome but must be wearing a harness or collar that makes this obvious to staff and other visitors. There are two ramps to gain access into the cathedral and chalets have wheelchair accessible counters. Because of the age of the building, there are some restrictions on accessibility, including stairs at various points. There are no toilets in the main area of the Christmas Market.

Portsmouth on Ice, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth

The ice rink is back for this year at Guildhall Square and will be hosting designated SEND sessions, while the whole ice rink is wheelchair accessible at all times.

Enjoy some of the region’s top attractions

Throughout the South East, the region’s best loved attractions are offering Christmas-themed activities and events, that are accessible for the whole family.

WWT Arundel are offering a range of festive activities, including Sail to Santa, which is running on 7^th, 8^th, 14^th and 15^th December. The boats are wheelchair accessible and there are a limited number of wheelchairs available to borrow while visiting. When booking, guests can select free carer tickets and wheelchair friendly tickets, so staff will be prepared for you when you arrive.

If you’re looking for something festive without the kids, they are also hosting Woodcarving and Garden Décor workshops which are suitable for adults only and are also wheelchair accessible. For details on quiet or relaxed sessions or for any additional accessibility information, get in touch with them here.

Winchester Science Centre has a number of accessible Christmas events taking place. Cosmic Christmas, features theatre performances, gifts and a chance to meet Father Christmas himself! The Planetarium is accessible to everyone and you are free to come and go as you need to. Wheelchair users have plenty of space and for the live shows, there are seats next to the wheelchair spaces for the rest of the family to join you.

The showing on 23^rd December, will also feature a BSL interpreter, the accessibility team will be on hand to reserve you seats so you’re able to best see the interpreter.

Don’t miss out on their Starlight Cinema events, which this year features the film Elf. The film is shown in the planetarium, which is fully accessible though some seats may be slightly obscured. As with the Cosmic Christmas event, the Planetarium has plenty of space to move around and you’re welcome to come and go as needed, there are designated spots for wheelchair users, with seating for family and friends to sit with you.

If you’re sensitive to loud noises, let the team know, they have ear defenders available that you can borrow before the show!

Fairytale Farm in Oxfordshire is transforming itself into a winter wonderland over the Christmas season, this year’s event features a Santa’s Grotto, Victorian Woodland and a chance to meet the dancing penguins. There are SEND sessions taking place on certain days throughout the event. The evening SEND sessions will see the entire farm closed to other visitors, while during the day SEND sessions, the Christmas event will be exclusive to those who have booked SEND tickets.

Christmas markets in London

There is something very special about doing your Christmas shopping in London – especially with the lights along Oxford Street and the host of markets.

The following events are taking place across the capital:

Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Covent Garden Christmas Market
Spitalfields Christmas Market
King’s Cross Christmas Market

In London, there’s always something going on including a host of performances at the city’s theatres. Sadler’s Wells has a variety of performances taking place, including Claire Cunningham’s Songs of the Wayfairer, a new solo show from one of the UK’s most acclaimed disabled artists that is running through December, with audio described, BSL, captioned performances and relaxed performances. Or for something more festive, the Snowman is back with audio described and relaxed performances. Book tickets on their website now.