Two days in wheelchair-accessible Blackpool

Make the three-star Ruskin Hotel your base to explore Blackpool. The hotel has a two-bedroom suite that can sleep up to three guests and is adapted for manual wheelchair users, as well as other rooms suitable for guests with limited mobility. However, it currently doesn’t have rooms adapted for electric wheelchair users. It’s only a few streets away from the Winter Gardens and town centre shopping in one direction, and the prom in the other. For more accessible hotel options in Blackpool, AccessAble has got you covered. 

Your accessible Blackpool adventure is off to a wild start at Blackpool Zoo, with more than 1,000 animals to spot. Meet northern England’s only gorilla family, be wowed by Britain’s biggest sea lion pool and come face-to-face (if you dare) with prehistoric creatures on the Dinosaur Safari. The zoo is generally level, with wheelchair-friendly access around the site, and there is a Changing Places facility next to the main café.  

Pop back to your digs to freshen up if you like, then it’s time for tea. Michael Wan’s Mandarin is a Blackpool institution, treating hungry guests to Cantonese cuisine since 1961, but try its little sibling on the seafront for pan-Asian flavours. The vibes are Budapest ‘ruin bar’ meets hawker market, and the menu is equally eclectic: think Thai moules-frites, beef brisket and mooli ramen, salt and chilli crab bao burgers. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible toilet too.  

From Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland to Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey: Britain’s third largest theatre has hosted huge names over the decades. Check out the schedule to see what’s on during your visit – maybe you’ll catch a touring musical, superb stand-up or TV talent show auditions? The theatre is easy to access for wheelchair users; its AccessAble guide is full of up-to-date accessibility information.   

Start your day off on a high – 380ft to be exact – by soaring up The Blackpool Tower, where you’ll be greeted with panoramic views across to the Lake District and north Wales on a clear day. You can even peek (between your fingers, if you need to!) through the glass floor at the town below. Then, take your pick from the Tower’s other attractions, including its circus, dungeon and ballroom – where you can pretend you’re on Strictly with a spin around the sprung dance floor, accompanied by live organ music.  

There’s disabled access to the tower via the Dungeon Entrance on the prom, and once inside there’s a Changing Places facility; check out its AccessAble guide for details as accessibility varies and some experiences have limited wheelchair spaces. 

Continue your morning by taking in Blackpool’s promenade. It’s where you’ll find its three piers, all of which are wheelchair accessible. The stretch between North and South Pier is dubbed the Golden Mile, packed with arcades, amusements and rock shops if you want to grab a sweet souvenir.  

Welcome to Blackpool’s biggest fish and chip shop – and is it Britain’s best, too? The Blue Plaque outside says so: Papa’s was crowned Britain’s Best Fish & Chips after its appearance on the BBC’s Best of British Takeaways. Its sleek interior design makes a lunchtime fish (or ‘tofish’) and chips feel like an occasion. The venue is fully accessible, with raised tables for wheelchair users and disabled toilet facilities. 

From Papa’s, zoom down the promenade on one of Blackpool’s wheelchair-friendly trams to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. This family-friendly theme park has been bringing thrills and chills for more than 125 years and was crowned ‘Best of the Best’ at the 2026 Park World Excellence Awards. On some rides like the Grand National and Red Arrows Skyforce, wheelchair users can transfer directly from their wheelchair to the ride carriage. There are also accessible toilets around the park, including a Changing Places facility at Nickelodeon Land.  

Check Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s accessibility information and ride guidance to understand ride access requirements, transfer arrangements and restrictions before your visit. If you’re visiting with a carer, check the latest information on carers’ tickets and eligibility directly with the park. 

The hardest decision you’ll have to make today: where to eat in Blackpool? If tacos and loaded nachos sound good, head to Common Bar and Kitchen, which offers great gluten-free and vegan options too. Or, take a taxi to No 10 Bar and Kitchen, Blackpool’s first micropub with plenty of real ale and authentic Thai cooking.  

Are we in Blackpool or Las Vegas? It’s hard to tell at this glitzy showbar, where you can take your pick from tribute shows, cabaret nights and stand-up. Look out for Bongo’s Bingo – part-bingo, part-rave, it’s a chaotically great night out. If you’re in Blackpool with little ones, then don’t miss its family-friendly pop shows either. There is lift access to the venue and the main showroom is on a single level, plus disabled toilet facilities.