Not all ventures and attractions are created equally when it comes to ease of disability access, so here we take a look at those who make life a little easier for families with children who have special educational needs, disabilities or anxiety.

Drayton Manor Resort in Staffordshire has a Digital Access Pass you can opt for when applying for Nimbus Access Card, which is free and is valid for three years, or you can opt for a physical Nimbus Card which allows you to visit multiple attractions and costs £15 for a three-year membership. The Easy Access Service allows eligible guests who are unable to use conventional queue lines to access rides via the exit or designated access queue line. More information can be found here. They also offer a wheelchair and scooter hire, disabled toilets situated at every toilet block and a hoist room located in the medical centre that includes a fully adapted adult restroom and changing bed hoist.

Although London Zoo is over 200 years old, most of it is accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. They offer regular accessible activities, including British Sign Language, Audio Described and Relaxed Opening tours, at ZSL London Zoo – and they are hoping to improve this programme to be more diverse and more inclusive. Any suggestions you may have for new activities that supports disabled access at the zoo can be emailed to London Zoo.

The Penguin Pass queue hopper for visitors who find queuing difficult can be downloaded and printed and passes are also available to collect on arrival from the admissions team.

Changing Places toilet facilities are available and have a ceiling track hoist, a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench and height adjustable washbasin. A limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters are also available to hire.

For those who like history, there are Heritage sites around the UK, but they all differ when it comes to accessibility. However notable accessible sites include Lincoln Castle, Mount Stuart, Lancaster Castle, and Ely Cathedral. For more information about the sites and their accessibility, visit their individual websites.

National Trust Sites have many locations across the country, such as Attingham Park and Stourhead which offer wide-open spaces, sensory trails as well as quiet exploration areas.

Being out in nature can be a great way to ease anxiety and The Eden Project in Cornwall has lots to offer (but there are plenty of sheltered and indoor spaces too). It is also a great place to explore the senses with plenty to see, hear, touch and smell. To help with exploring there is lots of places to rest, including seating and grass. For children with SEN or disabilities there are free manual wheelchairs available as well as self-propelled wheelchairs which need to be booked, assistance dogs are welcome and water is available for them around the site. A Changing Places toilet is also available in the Visitor Centre and includes a height adjustable changing bench, a hoist system, shower and space for one person with a disability and up to two personal assistants. There are also ADI toilets on site for the blind and permanent catering outlets have dropped counters to help with accessibility. For more information click here

Most major cinemas offer relaxed screenings which include lights being dimmed rather than turned off, reduced volume, no trailers and relaxed rules about moving about and making noise. Some venues may offer social story guides on what to expect and even have chill out areas. Call your local cinema to discover the latest information.

The Thinktank Science Museum is a great place for children to learn while having fun – and is accessible for wheelchairs and has wheelchairs you can pre-book, has central lifts to all floors, and the floor surface is smooth non-slip plastic in many places, while others have carpets and tiles. There are accessible toilets, and guide and assistance dogs are welcome. There is audio access through fixed hearing loops in some places and videos are subtitled. The museum does have sensory friendly areas and quiet rooms are available on request. In ‘Morning Explorer’ sessions the museum opens early for people with children on the autistic spectrum or who live with a sensory processing disorder, so they can visit at a quieter time. For dates, see What’s On.

Aquariums can be incredibly soothing, but fascinating at the same time, with lots to offer for the whole family. A few which offer great accessibility include:

The National Marine Aquarium (Plymouth, Devon) which as the largest aquarium in the UK, is highly rated for accessibility. It provides ramps or lifts, wide corridors suitable for wheelchairs, has a free wheelchair hire, and exhibits are designed for viewing from a wheelchair.

The Blue Planet Aquarium (Cheshire Oaks, Cheshire) is known for having one of the largest shark collections in Europe and was designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a long underwater tunnel which is flat-level for visitors with mobility issues.

The Deep (Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire) is a large aquarium designed to be fully accessible with lifts that allow visitors to travel through the building.  There is a Changing Place facility, has a support scheme designed to make visits less daunting and more enjoyable and their website has a social story to help families with additional needs plan their day in advance.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium (Located on the Southbank) is fully wheelchair accessible across all three floors and has lifts for ease of access. They also accommodate assistance animals, and on selected dates open earlier for visitors who prefer a quieter environment with centre music switched off until 10.00am, lighting reduced to a static mode and televisions turned to a minimal volume.

TIPS

• Many places offer free places for carers, but you will need to check to make sure.
• Visit websites to see what individual sites offer when it comes to accessibility.
• If you don’t see the information you need, call the visitor centre who will be able to provide specific information to meet your needs.
• If the website says you need to book equipment, don’t leave it to chance, especially as some venues may only have a small amount of equipment available, or be able to accommodate a set number.
• Many accessible toilets which have a hoist still require you to bring your own sling.