Accessible England

Accessible city breaks 

England’s cities are home to many accessible attractions, immersive experiences, and places to stay. 

Hunt for ghouls on a GHOSTNorthEast walking tour in Newcastle, an award-winning ghost walk covering the city’s spine-chilling history. 

In South Yorkshire, Sheffield Museums will take you on a eclectic journey through art, crafts, design, industry, and heritage, with fully accessible exhibits across several sites. Over in East Yorkshire, Hull Truck Theatre is a welcoming and inclusive space for theatre lovers, with excellent accessibility features. 

To mingle with A-listers, head to Madame Tussauds London, where their detailed accessibility guide ensures a smooth visit, letting you get up close to your favourite celebrities (in wax form) for a selfie. 

When it comes to accommodation, England’s cities have some great accessible hotels to choose from. voco, with locations in both Leicester and Manchester, is designed with accessibility at its core, offering stylish rooms with inclusive features. In London, the Great Scotland Yard Hotelis a luxurious and accessible retreat in the heart of the capital, while AbleStay offers specialist accommodation tailored for wheelchair users.

Accessible heritage and culture breaks

To truly understand a place, you have to experience its cultural landmarks and historic sites. 

Many National Trust properties in England have excellent access facilities. Some of our favourites include the grandiose gardens at Stourhead in Wiltshire and the atmospheric Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire. The National Trust is also home to several Changing Places facilities, including Quarry Bank in Cheshire, Fell Foot in Cumbria, and Belton Estate in Lincolnshire - all three ideal for an outdoor adventure with a side of heritage.

England is also home to a wealth of cultural icons. For lovers of Wolf Hall and all things Tudor, a visit to Hampton Court, on the outskirts of London, is a must. Bridgerton fans should make a beeline for Bath, where history reveals itself at every corner—don’t leave without visiting the iconic Roman Baths.

Or head north to Whitby to follow in the footsteps of Dracula with a visit to the majestic (and eerie) ruins of Whitby Abbey. Another English Heritage icon to add to your list is Belsay Hall in Northumberland. Here, you can explore historic gardens blooming with exotic plants while using a Tramper.

Accessible seaside breaks 

Disability is no barrier to feeling the sand beneath your feet and the sea breeze on your face.

Seaside resorts from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk to Boscombe in Bournemouth offer free beach wheelchairs, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the shore. Marsham Court Hotel, also in Bournemouth, is a fantastic accessible stay, with thoughtful adaptations throughout and a Changing Places facility on-site.

Blackpool is another great choice for a fun-packed seaside break. For a wild day out, Blackpool Zoo offers excellent accessibility, ensuring everyone can get up close to incredible animals. Just a short drive away, Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs provides free all-terrain wheelchair hire, making a day at the beach smooth sailing.

For an island adventure, Hovertravel provides accessible (and thrilling) travel to the Isle of Wight. Their HoverCare service offers assistance from check-in to arrival, ensuring a seamless journey.

Accessible active breaks

There are plenty of places in England for action-packed experiences. 

Wheels for All specialises in adapted cycles at centres including Cumbria, Sheffield, and Northumberland. For powerboating, wildlife watching, and angling, Wheelyboats offer independent boating for wheelchair users at locations from Redruth in Cornwall to Ripon in North Yorkshire. 

In the south, the waterways of Essex, Hertfordshire, and London can be explored by boat with CanalAbility. All boats are specially adapted with lifts and other facilities to cater to people of all abilities. More boating fun can be had with Bruce Boats in Wiltshire. For further information on boating activities, check out the Accessible Waterways Association.

Calvert Lakes has adventure holidays in the Lake District and Kielder Forest covered. You can choose from a range of tailored, exciting activities, including canoeing, bushcraft, and ziplining.

If whizzing through the forest on a wire is up your street, you’ll love AbleNet UK’s range of exhilarating experiences too. Activities are tailored for disabled and visually impaired people and include skydiving, supercar driving, and flying. For another adrenaline-pumping day out, why not give adaptive surfing a go at The Wave in Bristol.

Accessible countryside breaks

There’s nothing stopping you from exploring the English countryside - except maybe the odd rogue sheep! 

If you’re visiting the Peak District be sure to check out Hoe Grange Holidays, Gold winner of the VisitEngland Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award. Their homely log cabins cater for a variety of impairments, and you can view the floorplans of each self-catering property on their website before you travel. Once you’re there, why not hire an off-road Boma 7 wheelchair and tackle the surrounding hills and trails with ease.

Outdoor Mobility offers Tramper hire in Northern and South West England, allowing you to venture off the beaten path and discover nature’s hidden nooks and crannies. For step-free countryside trails and hikes, check out Miles Without Stiles to plan your rural ramble at stunning locations across England.

Looking for accessible places to stay in the countryside? The National Trust’s adapted self-catering properties make the perfect base, with options like Restharrow in the Lake District and Forge Barn in Shropshire, among many others.

In Yorkshire, Inn on the Moor offers cosy open fires and accessible ground-floor rooms, while Cottage in the Dales is a luxurious five-star retreat in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The views from the garden are picture-perfect, and if you feel like stepping into the frame, Access the Dales provides inclusive guided tours and a range of all-terrain vehicles to help you experience the dramatic scenery up close.

Nature and wildlife lovers won’t be disappointed either. In Norfolk, Watatunga Wildlife Reserve runs wheelchair-accessible tours, while for a dose of culture in the countryside, Yorkshire Sculpture Park offers a unique blend of contemporary art and nature in an accessible setting.

Accessible family breaks

Planning a fun-filled family break? The little ones will be kept busy with these accessible-friendly holidays ideas 

Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire will have you all screaming (with joy!). The famous theme park has accessible rides, Changing Places facilities, and sensory rooms and their Ride Access Pass lets you enjoy your favourite rides without any hassle.

For plastic brick lovers, LEGOLAND Windsor caters for an accessible family with wheelchair-friendly rides, sensory spaces, and a detailed Accessibility Guide to assist you on your visit. The park also offers a Ride Access Pass for those needing extra support with queues.

In Norfolk, Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure is the perfect place for young adventurers. This prehistoric-themed park features step-free access, a sensory play area, and fully accessible changing facilities, making it an both an exciting and inclusive family day out.

For encounters of the furry kind, plan a trip to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol Get up close with a variety of animals in a fully inclusive setting that features wheelchair-friendly pathways, accessible play areas, and a Changing Places facility.

When it comes to family-friendly accommodation, North Hayne Farm Cottages make for a relaxing retreat. Located in the North Devon countryside, the self-catering cottages have step-free access and there are farm-based activities to keep kids busy too. 

Another great option (with a hot tub!) is Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages in Lancashire. The holiday homes are designed with accessibility in mind and have features such as hoists and wet rooms for a stress-free experience countryside escape with the family.