Accessible Britain
Your accessible guide to Britain
Looking for a great British adventure? Welcome to our shores! In this guide you’ll find useful information on accessible transport in Britain along with accessible facilities across the UK. Plus, discover a range of diverse accessible adventures just waiting to be enjoyed. From accessible restaurants and bars to suggestions on how you can explore Britain’s fantastic array of accessible experiences. Discover hiking wheelchairs, inclusive trekking, adaptive surfing and snow sports, museums, autism-friendly attractions, beach wheelchairs and more. Britain is accessible and open to all – all you need to do is decide where you want to explore.
What you need to know
If you have any accessibility requirements, related services are free in Britain. Most major places of interest such as museums, theatres, galleries, stately homes, the countryside and coast – plus accommodation and travel hubs including train stations and airports – offer a host of support for all travellers.
Assistance dogs are welcome. According to the UK Government’s Equality Act 2010, service providers, such as taxis and restaurants, must welcome people with assistance dogs and make reasonable adjustments for customers with assistance dogs
British Sign Language (BSL)
Menus and information in Braille
Quieter autism-friendly theatre performances and sensory rooms at busy locations
Accessible toilets and Changing Places toilets offering accessible facilities such as adult-sized hoists
RADAR Keys for independent access to over 10,000 accessible toilets across Great Britain (order online at Blue Badge Company, Age UK, Disability Rights UK and Argos)
Assistive listening systems (ALSs)
Audio descriptions
Accessible fitting rooms
Wheelchairs for beaches
Accessible swimming pools
Ramps for access on trains, places of interest and other locations
Accessible car parking spaces
Travel assistance at airports, train stations, attractions and much more
Want to know if a venue is accessible to you? For accessible-friendly restaurants, bars, transport, entertainment and other things to do, AccessAble has researched over 10,000 locations across the UK and Ireland and offers information on wheelchair and other accessibility-friendly features.
Euan’s Guide is another useful website that details information and reviews venue access across Britain and abroad. Euan MacDonald, MBE, co-founded the award-winning charity and website with his sister Kiki after he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease.
VisitEngland has an Accessible England guide with useful information on travel and things to do.
VisitWales features a range of accessible activities in Wales and accessible places to stay across the country.
VisitScotland also has a comprehensive range of accessible experiences in Scotland, places to stay and accessible places to eat.
For accessible activities in Northern Ireland see Visit Northern Ireland’s Things To Do section and search using keywords such as ‘access’.
For fun-filled accessible itineraries from Brighton to Scotland, watch comedian Rosie Jones’ Mission Accessible.
For a wide range of inclusive things to do and accessible activities in Great Britain, click each region below.
Looking for accessible accommodation? Tourism For All hosts an accommodation, things to do, and accessible restaurant search platform. For accessible accommodation in Britain, search your travel dates and the area you’re visiting, then filter by facilities such as mobility accessible rooms, hearing accessible rooms, accessible lifts and more.
Most accommodation search engines, , including AccessAble and Euan’s Guide, have a range of options and have filters to help narrow down accessibility requirements, such as accessible bathrooms, accessible bedrooms, lifts, roll-in showers and sign-language capable staff.
VisitEngland has an accommodation search that can be filtered by accessible accommodation.
VisitScotland has a selection of accessible accommodation across Scotland.
VisitWales has a breakdown of accessible accommodation in South Wales, accessible places to stay in North Wales, disabled-friendly accommodation in West Wales, and also accessible accommodation in Mid-Wales.
For accommodation in Northern Ireland use the Visit Northern Ireland search bar using keywords for accessible accommodation.
If you have a non-visible health condition it might be helpful to carry a sunflower lanyard or card with you to be discretely seen when travelling and exploring. Staff at most attractions and travel services are aware of the lanyard and can offer advice or support.
Accessible travel in Britain
You can access Great Britain from all major airports via train, bus, car or coach. One third of the London Underground is accessible. Transport for London (TfL) has made travel around the capital accessible with many ferry peers, tram stops, buses and taxis offering step-free access so you can explore at your own pace.
To avoid busy crowds, TfL suggests quieter times to travel, which also highlights busy stations and stops.
Check out VisitScotland for information on travelling to Scotland from overseas or from the rest of Britain, also for travelling around Scotland.
VisitWales has a guide to accessible travel networks to Wales from overseas or the rest of Britain, including train, car and bus. VisitWales also has information on how to travel around Wales via public transport.
Visit Northern Ireland has a trip planner on how to get to Northern Ireland as well as travelling around the area.
When it comes to air travel, UK airports offer assisted access assistance so you can navigate your way around from the moment you land. Access from major international hubs to inner cities is easy and accessible. Ideally, you should inform your airline with around 48 hours notice before your travel time, though this may vary depending on your airline so always make sure you check.
Individual websites for major airports have detailed information on assistance and accessibility, including quiet areas, walking distances and more.
Accessible airports in England
In England, the Heathrow Express takes only 15 minutes to central London and allows all customers to travel unaided if they wish. It has ‘Turn up and Go’ step-free access and a booked assistance service. The Gatwick Express is also committed to comfortable, accessible travel for everyone, with a dedicated Passenger Assist travel scheme. You can contact the team for help planning your journey at any time. The Gatwick Express will get you from the airport and into the heart of the capital city action within 30 minutes.
The largest international airport in the North East of England is Newcastle Airport which has a Passenger Assistance program for help navigating your journey if needed. The North West is served by Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, both of which are international hubs and also offer assisted travel.
Birmingham Airport in the West Midlands is a major international hub connecting to more than 30 countries, while East Midlands Airport also welcomes visitors from 23 countries.
Accessible airports in Scotland
Scotland’s main airports include Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Aberdeen and Glasgow Prestwick, with national and international arrivals. There are several smaller airports which service the Highlands and Islands.
Accessible airports in Wales
In Wales there are international flights to capital city’s Cardiff Airport from Asia and several European cities. VisitWales has a dedicated page for travelling to Wales, including trains from Europe and ferries.
Accessible airports in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is reached internationally via Belfast International Airport, which provides special assistance as and when required. Belfast International Airport has worked with AccessAble to produce a guide to the airport’s access information.
George Best Belfast City Airport received flights from the UK and Amsterdam, while you can also fly from the UK to City of Derry Airport, which has direct routes from London Stansted and more.
With ferries to Britain from France, Spain, The Netherlands and more, ferry travel is an accessible way to get to and around the UK. There are several international ferry ports in Britain operating various ferry companies, including:
- Dover (Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries, DFDS)
- Newhaven (DFDS)
- Portsmouth (Brittany Ferries)
- Poole (Brittany Ferries, Condor Ferries)
- Plymouth (Brittany Ferries)
- Harwich (Stena Line)
- Hull (P&O Ferries)
- Newcastle (DFDS)
Ports receiving visitors from the Republic of Ireland include: Pembroke (Irish Ferries), Fishguard (Stena Line), Holyhead (Irish Ferries and Stena Line), Liverpool (P&O Ferries, Stena Line) and Cairnryan (P&O Ferries and Stena Line).
Accessible facilities on board
There is much being done to improve accessible ferry services in Britain. According to the UK Government, new ferry ports and ships, or any that are being refurbished, must have accessible facilities. Accessible ferry facilities can include:
- Ramps
- Lifts
- Wide corridors
- Accessible toilets and shower rooms
- Spacious seating areas
- Tactile markers and Braille signs
- Accessible cabins and more
Accessible features onboard may vary depending on the company, so it is advisable to check with each for individual services. Discover Ferries lists over 10 ferry operators with contact details to find out more about individual facilities.
Not only is travelling by rail a quick and sustainable way to navigate Britain, it’s also accessible and major railway stations are well served by accessible taxis. Major cities in England and Wales are well connected by train, most within three hours’ travel time from London. It’s also possible to reach Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland in under five hours.
All train companies publish an Accessible Travel Policy which includes a ‘Making Rail Accessible’ leaflet to tell you what services and facilities are available for older and disabled passengers. See your train operators web site for further information. National Rail also provides information on what accessible services can be expected.
For planning your rail journey check out Passenger Assistance. Created in partnership with National Rail, you can plug in your trip via the website booking platform or on the app. Then, staff at each of the stations have all the details they need to help your trip run as smoothly as possible. National Rail and Passenger Assist has detailed access information of each train station and further advice on travelling with wheelchairs, mobility scooters, assistance dogs and more.
Accessible rail travel to and around Scotland
Trains run directly to all of Scotland’s main cities including Edinburgh with London North Eastern Railway (or LUMO to Edinburgh only), Aberdeen, Glasgow (Avanti West Coast) and others. You can also take the overnight Caledonian Sleeper which runs between London Euston and Edinburgh Waverley. Facilities include accessible rooms, accessible toilets, assistance dogs are welcome onboard and for more information there’s the Train Accessibility Guide. For accessible rail travel within Scotland see ScotRail.
Accessible train travel in Wales
Transport for Wales has a dedicated service for Train Accessibility so that travelling by train around Wales is open to all visitors. You can find a full breakdown of accessible features for each train including universal toilets, on-board audio and visual information and more. There is an Assisted Travel team to help book your journey, plus further assistance available if needed.
Accessible train travel in Northern Ireland
Translink is the main public transport provider in Northern Ireland offering public bus and rail travel. Translink offer services that are accessible to all passengers.
Train discounts and more
If your trip involves a lot of rail travel, a rail card can offer a range of discounts to make your journey more economical. The BritRail Pass is exclusively for tourists and offers unlimited journeys and various discounts, giving you the freedom to travel around at your own pace. There are other discounts available to wheelchair users, Blind or partially sighted travellers (including their travel companion), who do not have a rail card.
Network Rail has a handy autism-friendly travel guide, and to keep track of your journey with live travel updates (changes, cancellations, and quieter travel times, etc.) visit The Trainline.
For added flexibility on your journey, renting your own car opens up spectacular routes cut through mountains, hills and countryside. For wheelchair-accessible vehicle hire anywhere across the UK, including airports, try Wav Compare. There’s also Adaptive Vehicle Hire, WavsGB, Allied Mobility, MotaClarity and others.
Accessible parking permits
UK residents are entitled to a Blue Badge disabled parking permit for use in designated parking bays. According to the British Government, the UK has informally agreed to continue to recognise badges issued by members of the EU and EEA. For anyone visiting outside of the EU/EEA, bring your parking badge or parking card, however, the Government’s advice is that you check with the local police or authority to see if it can be used prior to parking and leaving your vehicle.
Whether travelling from the airport on arrival to the UK, or navigating from one side of the country to the other, travelling by coach is cost affective and convenient. National Express covers over 60 destinations in Great Britain and has a dedicated Assisted Travel Team to help plan your trip or offer advice. There is a Facilities Directory for coach stations, coaches fitted with lifts, assistance dogs are welcome and it follows the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
You can also book luxury coach package holiday’s across Britain, like these options from Limitless Travel. Bookings include accessible accommodation, accessible coaches with a hydraulic lift or ramp, accessible activities and more.
Accessible holidays in England
With a rich history alongside new adventures, England is ready to welcome you. Enjoy the great outdoors with Miles Without Stiles – accessible countryside routes in the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales or South Downs – or soak up the buzzing atmosphere of city life, booking an autism-friendly theatre performance in London’s West End.
VisitEngland produces some access-all itineraries across England for travellers with an inspirational take on a few of the adventures you can explore. For wheelchair-friendly inspiration, check out TV presenter, Paralympian, and inclusive travel expert, Sophie Morgan’s wheelchair-friendly travel guides to the Peak District and Buckinghamshire. Plus, with accessible accommodation available throughout England, you can explore far and wide.
From off-roading with an adaptive mountain bike to paragliding, graffiti workshops, touring your favourite stadiums, enjoying an accessible tour of The Houses of Parliament and more, the choices for accessible adventures in England are endless.
Explore accessible things to do in England
Accessible holidays in Scotland
With big skies, inky lochs, and majestic mountains, it’s easy to think Scotland is just a bonny face – but there’s so much more to be found, including wealth of accessible holidays and adventures and accessible accommodation to book. Discover some of its 700 or more islands – teeming with wildlife or pristine unspoilt beaches perfect for accessible water sports. If buzzing cities are more your thing, check out cultural Glasgow and historic Edinburgh.
Whether it’s discovering the inspirations of Robert Burns with an accessible tour of his birthplace, scanning the great heights of Ben Nevis from a cable car, whetting your whistle with The Scotch Whisky Experience, getting a birds-eye-view of the Scottish countryside from the tree tops, or hopping onboard a modified glider to take to the skies, Scotland has so much to offer.
Explore accessible things to do in Scotland
Accessible holidays in Wales
With ancient mountains, deep valleys, rushing rivers and miles of scenic coastline, it’s easy to love Wales. Take in its history and heritage from some 427 castles, with Caernarfon Castle, Caerphilly Castle, Cardiff Castle and more providing access to all. Enjoy autism-friendly activities like relaxed theatre performances, sensory fishing in the great outdoors, a sensory trail at the National Botanic Gardens, or savour local delicacies including mussels and Welsh caviar.
Accessible adventures range from horse riding and dry-slop skiing, to epic views on the accessible Wales Coast Path. Whether you’re hiring a beach wheelchair, inclusive cycling in the Coed y Brenin Forest Park, or exploring the natural beauty of Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), there is plenty to keep you busy, with accessible attractions across all Welsh regions.
Explore accessible things to do in Wales
Accessible holidays in Northern Ireland
From rugged coastlines to castles, culture, adventure and more, a trip to Northern Ireland is definitely one to remember. Marvel at the natural phenomenon of the Giant’s Causeway, discover the local music scene, and see where the mythical lands from Game of Thrones came to life. Try All Out Trekking as you chase through the countryside on adapted buggies, or find your inner peace as you listen to the sounds of the sea at an inclusive beach. With a diverse range of experiences to be had, your Northern Ireland accessible adventure is sure to be unique.
