Two days in wheelchair-friendly Bristol

Just 10 miles from Bristol’s city centre you’ll find The Wave – the first inland surfing destination of its kind, where water babies of all abilities and those with physical, mental or sensory impairments can tussle with the waves. The 200-metre-long lake uses ground-breaking technology to create up to 1,000 waves an hour. An adaptive surfing session is the perfect way to try surfing for the first time – or the hundredth!

Discover stories of human genius and extraordinary aerospace achievements at Aerospace Bristol, from the earliest days of flight engineering, through both world wars and up to modern-day technology. With planes (including the iconic Concorde), helicopters, missiles, engines and interactive exhibits, there’s plenty to see, do and learn across this fully wheelchair accessible museum.

Break your car drive to Bristol with a pitstop at Mollie’s Diner for a slice of Americana. Inspired by the retro roadside pit-stop, Mollie’s combines contemporary design and a Fifties hop-style open kitchen with oodles of chrome and Cadillac-red.  Enjoy all-day eggs, Texan pork belly and double-cheeseburgers within the wheelchair-friendly seating area that positively screams Grease.

Bristol meets Canada at this cosy, yet modern oasis in the city centre. Its accessible rooms have received praise for its ample turning space for wheelchairs and walk-in en-suite shower rooms. Most of these are on the ground floor, however if you are on the upper floors, the corridors are roomy and easy to navigate.

Sip on a super-fresh beer that’s brewed only yards away from your table, while taking in the bustling atmosphere of this independent brewery. Beer not your thing? No worries, they have a great wine selection plus locally made spirits and ciders and a considerate range of non-alcohol options. Soak it all up with freshly cooked street food from the resident van outside.

Conveniently located alongside SS Great Britain, this waterside favourite is a great way to kick off the second day of your accessible break. Fuel up with the Captain’s Breakfast (full English) or a breakfast bap and wash it down with a locally roasted coffee before heading next door for your nautical adventure.

Alive with sights, sounds and smells, SS Great Britain will give you a glimpse into its past voyages and the people who lived and worked on board. To make sure all visitors have the best experience possible, the Ship, Dry Dock, Dockyard Museum and Brunel Institute are fully accessible to wheelchair users. Afterwards, pop into the nearby M-Shed museum, where objects, recollections and art from Bristol’s rich 2,000-year history inspire conversations about the city’s future.

Learn about Bristol’s fascinating past with a two-hour guided tour that’s wheelchair accessible. Follow the flat, wheelchair friendly route of the Saxon town walls while taking in sights of the city’s Blitz damage, literary pirate haunts featured in Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe, and the highlights of Bristol’s street art; you’ll even get to view some original Banksy murals. The tour finishes at Arnolfini which hosts exhibitions, talks, film screenings and music events by contemporary artists from around the world.

Cross the Prince Street Bridge and head east about 10 minutes to Harbour House, a ground-floor and wheelchair accessible waterfront restaurant, bar and terrace set in a 19th century transit shed. Championing seasonal produce and suppliers from the South West, it places emphasis on regional seafood, with seafood linguine and kedgeree arancini among their signature dishes. but the hearty and diverse selection appeals to every part of the day.

Meet African elephants, skunks and Highland cows, (plus many more animals) at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm. Almost all the viewing areas can be accessed with a wheelchair and features a loud announcement system and plenty of visual aids like high-contrast signs and painted picnic tables to help you get about.