Days Out
A family day out can be a brilliant but also a wildly stressful or daunting experience. There is lots of support out there these days which can make your family outing a fantastic day to remember. First of all, you can get free carer tickets as a carer of a disabled child depending on their needs. You can also acquire passes to avoid queues, some offer priority parking as well as autism awareness wristbands/lanyards for your child. We have gathered some information and links for you which we hope make your days out easier! If you know of a place you think should be featured so Contact Us we would be happy to hear from you.
Attractions
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
We are committed to helping guests with additional needs experience a spectacular and memorable visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. What is EasyPass?
For guests who have a recognised medical condition which prevents them from being able to queue for access to a ride or attraction, we offer an EasyPass ride access service.
Before entering the park we issue guests with a Wristband with an ‘E’ printed on it. This allows the disabled guest and one other person who has either a valid ride wristband or ride tickets to enter the ride via the exit or Speedy Pass gate. The ride staff will then permit entry when safe to do so. This is done by simply showing the ride operator the Wristband.
To find out how you can qualify for this service visit Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Southport Pleasureland
The park grounds are flat and it is easy to navigate a wheelchair around the paths. The vast majority of our rides are suitable for everyone although on some it is advisable that anyone with limited mobility be accompanied.
If you are a carer for a disabled guest, you can purchase a ‘ride all day’ wristband for the discounted price of £15. This wristband is only valid on the day of purchase and only available for registered carers. Our guest relations team will assist the carer in fitting the wristband. Carers wristbands can only be purchased in the park, and must be paid for using a credit or debit card only. Carer wristbands are not available to purchase in advance on-line. Please ensure that you bring one item of relevant paperwork listed below, along with suitable picture ID matching the recipient, to the main token box in the centre of the park. For more information on how you qualify for a carer pass see Southport Pleasureland
Lego Land – Trafford Centre Manchester
The centre has been designed with your needs in mind. We review our risk assessments and policies annually to ensure that we remain as accessible as possible to all guests, including wheelchair access. PLEASE NOTE: ALL adults must be accompanied by a child (aged 17 and under) to visit the attraction, with the exception of our Adult Nights. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a fun environment for all, we host Autism Friendly Sessions, more information on those, parking, carer information pop over to Legoland
Thomas Land/Drayton Manor
Our full Easy Access Guide can be downloaded here.
As a member of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA), we welcome visits by guests with additional needs. We will do everything possible to ensure our guests have a safe and pleasurable day out with us. Drayton Manor
Animals/Zoo’s
Blackpool Zoo – Blackpool
Every day we learn from our visitors and strive to make Blackpool Zoo the best it can be for all visitors. We hope the following information will help you prepare for and enjoy your day with us. Blackpool Zoo
Chester Zoo
We want all of our visitors to have an amazing day at Chester Zoo. We’re working hard to be as accessible as possible.
FREE ENTRY FOR CARERS Visitors with disabilities may admit one accompanying carer free of charge when they pay full adult / child price. Please bring relevant proof of entitlement such as a blue badge, or a Personal Independence Payments letter (issued by the DWP benefit office). For more information what support is available for those on the sprectrum visit here Chester Zoo
Sealife – Blackpool
30 years of adventure Celebrate 30 years of SEA LIFE Blackpool taking you face-to-fin with life under the waves. Prepare for a world of glistening scales, colourful creatures and razor-sharp teeth! Over 2,500 creatures - From the curious and the rescued to the rare and simply unbelievable, get closer than ever before with our creatures of the deep. For more information on disability support check out Sealife Blackpool
Blue Planet – Cheshire Oaks
Blue Planet Aquarium is designed with access for everyone in mind. Recognised by the ‘Rough Guide to Accessible Britain’ as the ‘UK’s Finest Aquarium’, our facilities include:
- Free admission for full time carers on a 1:1 basis
- Dedicated accessible parking
- Lift access to each floor
- Ramps throughout the attraction
- Accessible toilets throughout the building
- Wheel chair hire (£10 returnable deposit)
Blue Planet Aquarium operates the standard admission policy that any paying visitor, standard, junior, or concession with special needs can be accompanied by one carer free of charge – providing that the carer can present proof of carer status* on arrival at Reception. Without proof of carer status standard admission entry charges apply. A visitor under 90cm with a carer would purchase a junior admission ticket with the carer admitted free of charge.
*We recognise ‘proof of carer’ status as ID badge, signed letter from employer highlighting carer status or a letter from Department for Work and Pensions. Find out more at Blue Planet
Indoor Play Centres
Adventure Forest – indoor play centre - Trafford Park
Autism friendly / additional needs sessions 0-11 years. Exclusive joint sessions for children with Autism / additional needs to play at weekend.
Autism friendly / additional needs sessions – 1st Sunday of the month 9.30am – 11.30am. There is also a social story on their website Adventure Forest.
The Space Centre – Preston
The SPACE Centre offers a totally flexible environment for families, carers, therapists and teachers.
We have put together a series of films that give you a brief user guide to our multi-sensory rooms. Space 1, Space 2, Space 3. Find out more about the Space Centre
Play Factore – Trafford Quays Leisure Village Manchester
Each disability session is held on the first Thursday of the month. Children receive 2 hours of play, having access to all of our facilities. Additionally, siblings are more than welcome to come along and join in the fun too! We welcome children aged 6 months – 16 years with all types of disabilities and special educational needs (SEN and SEND). Play Factore understands everyone’s needs are different and we want to make sure your session with us is as relaxed and enjoyable as it can be. The volume of the music is lowered, as well, as adjusting the lighting to make families feel comfortable. Upon arrival at Play Factore our customers are greeted and booked in by our lovely Reception team, thus there is no requirement to book your visit. We offer FREE entrance for every carer accompanying a child, upon presentation of disability ID such as a DLA form, a doctor’s note/diagnosis letter, and Max Card. Looking forward to seeing you there! Play Factore
Boomerang – Bury
Boomerang is a multi-sensory play centre in Bury, Greater Manchester. We have 3 custom designed play rooms, a large 5 star graded cafe plus accessible toilets & changing room facilities. All play rooms have soft padded walls and floors with hoists to allow children with mobility problems to access each area. BOOMERANG
Playtime Party time – Various locations
At Playtime Partytime we welcome your children to get lost in a world of play, our train and track play sessions put children in the driving seat. Join us on our interactive giant track layout, through tunnels and stations, round spirals and along bridges and take the whole family on a journey they'll want to go on again and again. Is your little one train mad? Do they enjoy getting lost in a world of trains and tracks? Then jump aboard and put them in the driving seat. Join us for an hour of play on our giant track layout play sessions for 3 - 7 yr olds with all their favourite characters. Playtime Party Time
Jump space – Stockport
Jump Space is a specialist centre offering Rebound Therapy, Trampolining and Sensory play. Our primary client group is people with disability and their families (we encourage siblings to take part as well). We do however welcome everyone with all of our classes being open to people with or without a disability. We provide a safe, fun, understanding and non-judgmental environment for disabled children and young people, many of whom, due to their impairments, are unable to access other forms of sport and activity. The centre is fully accessible with hoist equipment available for the trampolines, ball pool, a sensory area and accessible toilet facility. jump space
Redbank House – Manchester
Sensory Rooms
All children and adults with disabilities can benefit from using a multi-sensory room. These environments have proven to be extremely valuable to those with disabilities, some evidence suggests that those with challenging behaviour can improve and may be reduced over a long term period.
These unique sensory rooms have a range of bespoke equipment creating both a calming and interactive atmosphere, where colours flash through the fibre-optic strands along the floor; streams of blue and green simultaneously twinkle through the bubble tubes and the disco ball sparkles. Our users can enjoy lying on the water beds dreaming away to the sounds of classical music or play in the mirrors creating their very own personal party space with pop music in the background.
We can accommodate a maximum of 8 people in the room, including carers. Redbank House
Everyone Can – Manchester
HELPING PEOPLE GAME TOGETHER - WHAT WE DO - WE HELP KIDS WHO FIND IT DIFFICULT TO FIT IN.
THROUGH TRAINING AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY WE HELP DISABLED PEOPLE SPEAK, LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, CONTROL THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND HAVE FUN! EVERYONE CAN
Swimming & Outdoors
Splash World - Southport
Inclusive Quiet Nights sessions
Developed for children and young people with disabilities, their families, carers and friends, Quiet Nights sessions are brought to you by the Aiming High team at Sefton Council and run every couple of weeks on a Friday at Splash World. These exclusive sessions are designed to provide a splashtastic fun time in a safe environment. Splashworld
Sandcastle Waterpark – Blackpool
Sandcastle Waterpark is proud to be an Accessible Venue. Our award-winning range of inclusive information, facilities and guest services have been carefully designed to give you the best possible experience with us. Accessibility Evenings - We appreciate that visiting a Waterpark maybe a daunting prospect for some guests with disabilities and their families. With this in mind our Accessibility Evenings are held under special conditions to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable visit for guests with disabilities and additional needs, and their immediate family. Sandcastle Waterpark
Simply Cycling - Various locations
All Ability Cycling sessions - Open to all!!! Cycling for all ages and all abilities.
We are open all year round at 3 venues across Manchester.
We are just £2.50 per person for up to 2 hours.
Come and join us ..... we will find a bike to suit you! Or visit Simply Cycling
Wheels For All
This is a nationally recognised programme, which allows children and adults with special needs to experience cycling. They have a large range of specially adapted cycles, and the activities are great fun as well as physically and mentally stimulating. Sam usually sits on a seat at the front of an adapted 2 person bike, while someone else pedals and steers him round the track. This leaves him free to feel the wind in his face and watch the world whizz by. The Wheels for All leaders have the knowledge and confidence to work with adapted cycles, which allows participants to enjoy the benefits of cycling. The centres welcome individuals, groups and families to be involved. There’s over 50 centres nationwide, and 8 in Greater Manchester! You’ll find them in Bury, Wigan, Leigh, Salford, Wythenshawe, Gorton,, and two in Bolton. The session days and times vary by location, and you pay a donation to join in. You can view the session locations and times here. Cycling Projects
Foxfield’s Therapeutic Horse Riding Centre
At Foxfield’s Therapeutic Horse Riding Centre we offer Equine-Assisted Therapy sessions for individuals with disabilities and special educational needs. Working with horses can improve social, cognitive and physical skills, as well as being an enjoyable activity for all ages. Established in July 2019, Foxfields is a 4* Centre licensed by Bolton Council.
All of our sessions are tailored to the needs of each individual. Focussing on progression to achieving their own personal goals.
The three dimensional movement of the horse helps riders to build core strength, improve balance, develop coordination and enhance posture. It is also an activity those with limited mobility can take part in and feel a sense of freedom. All riders progress differently with some riders gaining the benefits from walking on the horse, with others progressing to trotting and cantering independently. Each rider is individual with their own personal goals. Find out more via Foxfields
History and Arts
Eureka - Halifax
We’re not like other museums. Eureka! is an extraordinary fun-packed day out for kids aged 0-11. We have six unique zones to discover, each filled with hundreds of interactive exhibits designed to inspire enquiring minds to find out about themselves and the world around them. Our talented team of Enablers are on hand throughout the museum to help you get the most out of your visit.
Any disabled visitor can bring an essential carer with them for free – it’s as simple as that! Just tell our staff at the tills that you have an essential carer with you and we’ll take it from there. Check out Eureka access-information Eureka
Manchester Art Gallery – Manchester
A series of creative, sensory workshops especially aimed at autistic children at Manchester Art Gallery
Open Doors is a creative workshop especially for children and adults with autism and other social communication issues, their families and carers.
Each month we explore different themes and ideas with our artists and volunteers. We open our doors early so that you can come enjoy and explore art together as a family.
Aimed at children and young people aged 5-16 and their families or carers. Drop in, no need to book. Please note there is no Open Doors session in August or December 2019.
To find out more please contact Katy McCall on 0161 235 8869. Manchester Museum also offer Autism Friendly Early Openings on the second Saturday of every month, 9.15-10.30am. Manchester Art Gallery
Tower of London
Concessions and carer tickets. The Tower of London welcomes all visitors and aims to make everyone’s day out successful and enjoyable. We are committed to improving access and facilities for visitors with disabilities. Visitors with access needs receive a concession rate admission ticket and are entitled to bring an accompanying adult/carer free of charge.
Please note that carer tickets can only be obtained on the day of your visit showing proof of registered disability.
Anyone with a hidden disability has the option to collect a lanyard from our Welcome Centre. This will discreetly notify staff that you may need extra help, time, or assistance whilst at the Tower.
If you have any specific needs, please do let a staff member know so that we can help make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Tower of London
Relaxed theatre performances
The National Theatre
The National Theatre hosts a number of relaxed performances each year.
Check for upcoming performances on their website The National Theatre
Albert Halls Bolton
The Albert Halls hold pantomimes throughout the year and have relaxed performances available. Albert Halls
More Theatres:
Despite many efforts by organisations and venues, barriers to accessibility still exist. One of the ongoing issues facing theatres surrounds the historical heritage of the buildings, which were the creations of Victorian or Edwardian architects and therefore require carefully-considered modifications to balance accessibility with preservation.
Euan’s Guide states that many historic buildings have overcome barriers by using creative ways to enhance accessibility, however it is not always possible for them to be ”˜fully accessible’. It does recommend several tips, such as improving the entrance, training staff to use facilities such as wheelchair ramps and hearing loops, and having designated routes for people with disabilities to enhance circulation.
How are theatres in the north of England doing?
Take a look at our pick of some of the theatres believed to be among the most accessible in the north. Theatres