It may not feel like it but summertime is just around the corner and so you may be thinking about days out or short breaks in the UK.
After all, there is a wealth of attractions right on our very doorstep! However if you have mobility problems and use a wheelchair, finding out whether certain attractions in Britain are wheelchair friendly can be a major yet important consideration.
Thankfully many attractions are now being adapted for wheelchairs and disabilities, fitting wider doors, stair lifts, ramps, etc.
Here are aselection of top attractions around Britain that are wheelchair friendly.
Buckingham Palace
Yes even the Queen’s residence has been adapted to suit the needs of disabled visitors. Mind you, we think Her Majesty and Prince Philip may quite enjoy using some of the stair lifts and rollators provided! There is a separate entrance with wheelchair access, disabled parking, wheelchairs and rollators for hire. See the Buckingham Palace Disabled Access guide for more information.
The Science Museum, London
The Science Museum benefits from full disabled facilities from lifts and wheelchair ramps to interactive exhibits which are set at the right height for wheelchair users. There are also events for the deaf held on a regular basis.
The Eden Project, Cornwall
Whilst you are on your summer holidays in Cornwall, don’t forget to pop by the accessible Eden Project which has ample disabled parking bays, wheelchairs for rent, accessible toilets, hearing loops and even powered wheelchairs. There are sensory highlights and plenty of volunteers to help out. It was given the Reader’s Choice award at the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain in 2010.
York Dungeon
The Dungeon is situated in a Grade 2 listed building so access has been restricted by planning restrictions. However, they do have specialist stair lifts, slopes and a disabled toilet but can only cater for one manual wheelchair at a time. You can find out more about York Dungeon wheelchair accessibility on their website.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
As this building is so contemporary, it was designed with an eye towards accessibility. All main access doors are automatic, lifts serve every level, there are hearing loops available and designated wheelchair spaces in the theatre. Wheelchairs can also be hired and there are accessible toilets on every level making the Millennium Centre fully accessible for wheelchairs.
Brunel’s SS Great Britain
The ship, museum and Brunel SS visitor centre are fully wheelchair friendly with special narrow wheelchairs to loan for visitors who wish to enter the ship’s cabins. It won the Best Heritage Venue at the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain awards.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge itself has a walkway which is fine for wheelchairs and a shuttle service to and from the Visitor Centre. There are no stairs so no stair lifts are required and there is a disabled toilet on site as well as disabled parking. Find out more here Stonehenge
Of course there are many more attractions in Britain which are now wheelchair friendly and even listed buildings which have stairs can benefit from stair lifts fitted which do not require any building work or internal alterations. If you know of any more great user-friendly attractions do feel free to let us know.
Supplied By Harold Rigby health, lifestyle and entertainment writer
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