Accessible guide to the north-east of England

Experimental and inspiring, the Baltic Centre is packed with art from all over the world and it’s free to visit. The museum is accessible with level and ramped access, lifts with braille and accessible toilets on every floor (except level 5).  Assistance dogs are welcome with bowls of water available on request. You can borrow tri-wheeled walkers and wheelchairs, and there are hearing loops available at the Hello Desk, Baltic Shop and Front Room.

An impressive site welcoming visitors to the North East, Antony Gormley’s 20 metre high sculpture, Angel of the North, has been standing proud since 1998. While there are no toilet facilities at the site, there is a car park with an accessible parking bay and a path leading to the sculpture. Paths are suitable for mobility scooter users and manual wheelchair users, though manual wheelchair users may require assistance. 

Designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster, The Glasshouse sits by the River Tyne. It hosts concerts and music events, from classical to rock and jazz, boasting a state-of-the-art interior to match the lively programme of events. The building is easy to navigate, and the box office, performance spaces, toilets, bar and restaurant are all fully accessible. Assistance dogs are welcome and it has relaxed performances, where the doors remain open, there are no intervals and the house lights stay on.

MIMA is home to a wealth of contemporary art, including textiles, ceramics, jewellery and more from artists such as David Hockney and Tracey Emin. MIMA is fully accessible with large print guides, wheelchairs and ear defenders available to borrow. Guide dogs are welcome. You can access each floor by lift and there are accessible toilets throughout. Head to the second floor to take in views of the city.

Located in the north of County Durham is the open air Beamish Museum that will transport you to life during the 19th and 20th centuries. There are accessible toilets throughout and a Changing Places facility, wheelchairs to hire, assistance dogs are welcome and motorised scooters are allowed. There’s accessible parking and sensory packs available to borrow. As a ‘living museum’, expect actors in costume as you explore the working pit village, a 19th century hall, and a pub where you can order a pint. It has wheelchair accessible buses, too.

Ever wondered what life was like at an 18th century seaport? With a recreated Georgian quayside, a visit to the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool will take you back in time to find out! Learn the history of the oldest floating British warship and the last of Admiral Lord Nelson’s Frigates, HSM Trincomalee, then head on board the ship itself. There’s free accessible parking, and the gun deck and mess deck are accessible to wheelchair users with a lift between the two. There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities at the site.

From its volcanic outcrop setting, this seaside castle stands proudly over the Northumbrian coast. It’s not only historic hot property, but it’s also a film star – recognise it from Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny or The Last Kingdom? 

The first five rooms at Bamburgh Castle are wheelchair-accessible. An audio-visual presentation continues the tour of the house at the Crewe Entrance for visitors who are unable to continue. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets. Visually impaired guests can take advantage of touch tours of the property.  

The stunning Greek revival-style Belsay Hall makes a great day out in Northumberland. The ground floor of the hall and its beautiful Quarry Gardens are wheelchair accessible and assistance dogs are welcome. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available for loan – or why not hire a Tramper (electric all-terrain mobility scooter), which makes more of the castle grounds accessible? Accessible toilets and an adult changing area are also on offer.

Alnwick Castle, the star of Harry Potter films, makes for a great day out, and one aspect that makes it so magical is its extensive gardens. Accessibility is at the heart of The Alnwick Garden, with visual and accessibility guides and a sensory map available. There is an accessible route throughout the gardens, with smooth, solid surfaces for wheelchairs and award-winning accessible toilets. Assistance dogs are welcome, there is seating all around the garden and the rope bridges and walkways at the Treehouse are accessible by wheelchair. Enjoy the bamboo labyrinth, rose garden, cherry blossom orchard and more. Don’t miss the Poison Garden filled with more than 100 of the most toxic plants known to man!

Part of the Dark Skies project, the award-winning Kielder Observatory want as many people as possible to experience the night sky in its purest form. The main evening event is perfect for ages 12 and up. Visitors will get a tour of the observatory, a presentation and the chance for star gazing along the way. Expect accessible parking and ramps throughout the observatory for access, except for one telescope turret which has six steps. Other telescopes are accessible. Look out for Relaxed Astronomy sessions for a slower paced event. There is a composting unisex toilet which is accessible to people using wheelchairs, though it’s advisable to call in advance to check access. 

Circle Kielder Water’s shoreline on the 26-mile (42km) Lakeside Way multi-user trail. It has a great surface and is ideal for wheelchair and mobility scooter users, as well as walkers, cyclists and horse riders. 

If water sports are your thing, Coquet Shorebase Trust have plenty of options and can tailor activities to suit individual needs. From canoeing to sailing to windsurfing, the team here have over 30 years’ experience helping everyone get on to the water, and are a RYA Sailability Centre and a British Canoeing Paddle-ability Centre. Based at two locations, Druridge Bay Country Park and The Braid in Amble, facilities include accessible changing for people who use a wheelchair, a jetty with a hoist, ‘Access’ dinghies, open canoes and more.

One of Britain’s oldest football clubs opens its doors for a behind the scenes tour of St James’ Park. Discover the home of Newcastle United with a personal tour guide and learn about its history stretching back to 1892. The Classic Tour takes guests around the stadium, with access for wheelchair users in all areas apart from the tunnel to the pitch side and the pitch side itself. There is an Autism Friendly Stadium Tour, which is a smaller group of up to 15 people. The tour is quieter and can be adapted to meet visitor needs on the day.

Work is ongoing to improve accessible tours for people who are blind or have reduced sight, and people who are D/deaf or are hard of hearing. For match viewing there are 234 spaces for people using wheelchairs, a sensory room with specialist staff and induction loops in the reception, box office and club store. A text phone is available to pick up from the box office for visitors who are hard of hearing. A Changing Places facility is available in the Milburn and East stands.

Raise a glass to the spirit of Northumberland at this fascinating whisky distillery and Anglo-Saxon museum. Ad Gefrin is fully wheelchair accessible, including its Distillery Tour and Tasting experience. Guests should be aware that part of the tour is through an ATEX rated zone, so a manual wheelchair is recommended if needed in this situation (some are available on-site for visitors). Do contact the team before your visit to discuss your accessibility requirements. There are three accessible car parking spaces and an accessible toilet.