Wheelchair Accessible Days Out Across UK
If you rely on a wheelchair accessible vehicle to get around, going out for the day can often involve a fair bit of research to establish how accessible a place is before you arrive, to avoid any unwanted stress.
Yorkshire and the Humber
Harewood House – Leeds
Harewood House welcomes wheelchair users and has level access to a vast amount of the attractions and features, including walled garden and bothy, bird garden and farm, Himalayan garden and adventure playground.
You can also reach six different toilets from the main entrance/level access as well as two shops and two eateries.
There is a volunteer run shuttle bus on site that is wheelchair accessible and will take you between the separate attractions
If you would prefer to hire a wheelchair from Harewood House, you can head to the House or Visitor Information and hire one of the 5 wheelchairs available.
Wheelchair lifts are situated across the House allowing you to access the State Floor and there’s a wheelchair ramp into the Terrace Tearoom.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park – Doncaster
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a great place to visit with the whole family. As a wheelchair user, you can navigate the park with ease thanks to the wheelchair friendly layout.
The on-site cafes are designed with wheelchair users and those with mobility issues in mind:
- Safari Café – double width door
- Monkey Playhouse Café – double doors, lowered counter
- Caramba – picnic benches with gaps
- Masai Café – double doors
- Tsavo Lodge Bakehouse – double doors
There is also a number of accessible toilets around the park, including in the entrance, Safari Café, close to the Meerkats, Monkey Playhouse Café, Caramba, Masai Café, Tsavo Bakehouse and by the Giraffe’s.
There are viewing areas placed across the park, so wheelchair users can get a clear and unobstructed view of the animal enclosures. Ground level glass viewing areas are located for the following enclosures:
- Leopard
- Giant Otter
- Meerkat
- Mongoose
- Visayan Warty Pigs
- Lemur
- Okapi
- Giant Anteater
- Marmoset
- Armadillo
The walkthrough attractions (Lemur Woods, South American Viva and Wallaby Walkabout) all have level pathways.
The Midlands
Cadbury World – Birmingham
If you enjoy a sweet treat, you’ll probably have heard of Cadbury World. It’s an exciting insight into how chocolate is made and the history of the Cadbury brand which hails from the Birmingham area.
If you’re visiting as or with a wheelchair user, you will be pleased to know that there are dedicated accessible facilities.
Firstly, there’s a low-level reception desk as well as ramps and lift access throughout the attraction. Outside, there are several attractions, including the African Adventure play area, 4D Chocolate Adventure, Bournville Experience and the grab-and-go catering facility all of which can be accessed using the sloped pathways.
The 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema has two wheelchair spaces and a bean mobile on the Cadabra ride which has been adapted for wheelchair use.
There’s wheelchair accessible toilets on each floor with separate cubicles that have emergency alarms.
Chatsworth House – Bakewell
Chatsworth House is one of the most well known stately homes in the UK and it’s easy to see why. If you are a wheelchair user or you’re visiting with someone who struggles with mobility, getting to know the accessibility of the house and gardens before you go will make it much easier on the day.
There is a lift located in the house so wheelchair users can access all areas and the garden is also accessible, but some areas have steep slopes.
The farm has both a lift and a ramp to allow wheelchair users access to all areas of the farmyard. The playground is also accessible but does have uneven terrain as it’s made up of soft bark.
The shops, restaurants and café are all accessible, however space is limited.
North West
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is one of the most popular animal attractions in the UK, thanks to their wide range of animal species and their recent TV debut on ‘Life at the Zoo’.
Visitors who are accompanying a visitor with a disability are admitted free of charge, providing a blue badge or PIP letter is shown as proof.
There’s free disabled parking available close to the main entrance so you don’t need to travel far from the car to the attraction.
Around the site, you’ll find accessible toilets, plenty of accessible pathways and a wheelchair life at the Realm of the Red Ape attraction.
The Lazy River Boat Trip can also accommodate wheelchairs so you can enjoy this attraction with your family.
Blackpool Tower – Blackpool
The Blackpool Tower is probably one of the most iconic buildings in the country and famed for its fantastic views and magical shows.
Disabled access to Blackpool Tower is located at Promenade Entrance and there’s plenty of designated parking bays close by.
There are two lifts that take visitors up to the top of the tower, both have weight limits; Brass Lift – 1,360kg, South Lift – 1,500kg.
Electric scooters are not permitted due to the structure of Blackpool Tower, however wheelchairs can be hired for a refundable deposit of £10.
North East
Bamburgh Castle
As Bamburgh Castle is thousands of years old, you can expect that some of the original features make it difficult to navigate, however there is till plenty of the house that is accessible.
The main entrance is not wheelchair accessible, however there is a wheelchair accessible entrance 10 metres away.
The first 5 castle rooms are accessible by wheelchair, then there is a ramp leading to the Kings Hall, however from here, there are 3 steps that lead to the other areas.
There are two wheelchair accessible toilets on site, one between the First Small Room and the Crew Museum and the other in the main castle buildings.
Cornwall
Eden Project
If you want to get up close and personal with some spectacular plant life, the Eden Project is all about sustainability and protecting the environment.
As a wheelchair user you can make use of the accessible parking and toilets and there’s also free entry for carers.
The visitor centre has a flat level surface so starting your route from here will be the most accessible. Areas that are not wheelchair friendly are highlighted on signposts. The paths are tarmacked around the site, with the exception of some paths within the Outdoor Gardens in the Wild Cornwall area.
The catering outlets all have dropped counters to make them more accessible for everyone.
If you are looking for a wheelchair accessible vehicle that can help you get about and visit more local attractions, look no further than FMC Cars.