Disabled friendly Christmas markets to visit this festive season

There’s nothing like exploring around a Christmas Market to get you in the spirit of the season. However, if you’re someone with mobility aids, a sensory condition or other hidden disabilities, visiting a Christmas market can be more stressful than festive. 

To help you make the most of the season, here are some of the biggest markets in the UK and some of their accessibility information, so there will be no surprises while heading out to explore.

London Christmas Markets

Starting off in the capital, there are several wonderful Christmassy events and there are fewer places in the world better for a festive trip. London really plays on the Dickensian Christmas Carol atmosphere with its array of markets and Christmas events.

Perhaps the best known of London’s Christmas events is Winter Wonderland, which takes place in Hyde Park. Its full of rides and food and drink, and the park is really jazzed up for the event. When it comes to accessibility, you’ll find accessible toilets throughout the site, as well as lowered counters at the stalls, designated entry lanes for those with accessibility needs and wheelchair charging points. The walkways and areas with the rides and stalls are covered, so you don’t have to worry about manoeuvring over grass either.

While you’re in London, why not check out some of the city’s top attractions like Tower Bridge. With relaxed opening once a month and BSL and Deaf guides, everyone can experience a trip along this iconic bridge.

You might be lucky enough to combine your trip to Tower Bridge with a visit to Winter by the River, a Christmas market that sits along the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge.

 For a budget day out, look no further than the National Portrait Gallery which is free to visit all year round. There is step free access throughout the gallery and with trained staff on hand a Changing Places toilet on site, it’s a great way to escape the crowds and cold weather this winter.

Edinburgh Christmas Market

From one capital to another, Edinburgh is particularly wonderful in the winter months. When it comes to Christmas markets, the city’s main offering is split into four sites, with activities and events taking place at East Princess Street Gardens, West Princess Street Gardens, George Street and St Andrew’s Square. Each of the sites has their own accessibility information, but you’ll find disabled friendly toilets, designated disabled friendly entrances and ramps to access the stalls. Some of the rides are also wheelchair friendly!

Cardiff Christmas Market

One of the best loved markets in the UK is Cardiff’s Christmas Market which can be found in the heart of the city centre, so you can easily combine a trip to the market with some shopping around the St David’s Centre. All the stalls here are level with the pavement, but one thing that makes this market special is the City Centre Mobility Service, which is on hand to ferry you around the centre and the market site. There is also a variety of mobility aids available to borrow from the city’s information centre.

Manchester Christmas Market

In recent years, Manchester Christmas Market has become one of the most accessible in the whole of Britain. The stalls are accessible, with either ramps or being located on street level and are designed to have more space, which makes it easier to manoeuvre with mobility aids or push chairs. Around the market, you’ll find seating, with priority for disabled or elderly visitors and several accessible toilet facilities, as well as changing facilities which are open throughout the market.

Bath Christmas Market
 

Perhaps the best loved market in the South West, Bath’s market fills the heart of the Georgian city. You’ll find that Blue Badge Parking is unrestricted around the majority of the market area, as well as there being quiet spaces in the city library and accessible toilets at various locations around the market. Mobility aids are also available to hire throughout the duration of the market and Bath on Ice, is also wheelchair friendly.

While you’re in Bath, take a quick trip over to Longleat in nearby Wiltshire, where there are plenty of festive activities to keep you entertained. You can find their accessibility information here.  A little further afield WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre is another great way to explore the region’s nature and of course, there are loads of things to do in and around the city centre, including the American Museum, the Roman Baths and the Thermae Bath Spa.

Birmingham Christmas Market

For a more authentic German style Christmas Market, head to Birmingham, it is the largest German market outside of Europe! As well as finding traditional food and drink, there are also gifts available to add to your loved one’s stocking. The whole market can be accessed using mobility aids and is step free. There are accessible toilets available and wheelchairs and scooters can be borrowed from the Shopmobility Centre at the Bullring.

Not far from Birmingham is Wyre Forest, a Forestry England site. Here you can explore the Valley of the Giants and the arboretum, home to the Whitty Pear, you may even find a Gruffalo or two while you’re there! There are Trampers available to explore some of the wilder parts of the forest.

Find more accessible things to do around the UK here.