At Trinity Homecare, we believe continuing to live life to the full and enjoy excursions and holidays is important as you age and that mobility issues shouldn’t put a stop to your travel plans.
However, looking for holidays for people with mobility issues is not always straightforward. It can involve lots of research to find out if the destination is suitable and how it actually caters for people with accessibility needs. Fortunately, in this guide, we have rounded up some of the best accessible days out and holidays for the elderly and people living with limited mobility in the UK.
Planning an accessible day out
Getting out and enjoying some time away from your usual environment can be a refreshing and invigorating experience. But for those with limited mobility due to age or health conditions, days out or holidays may seem like they are simply not possible anymore. However, we believe that with a little extra preparation and planning, it is possible to explore accessible Britain.
Below we share our top tips for planning an accessible day out:
- Decide where you want to go – the first step is to decide where you would like to go. If you’re looking for inspiration, Accessible Great Days Out UK offers plenty of choices, broken down by region, so you can find days out nearby or further afield if you’re planning holidays for the elderly with limited mobility in the UK.
- Find out how accessible it is – the next step is to research what your chosen destination offers in terms of accessibility. Consider whether there are certain areas you won’t be able to explore, how this will affect your experience, and whether they offer basic facilities like a disabled access toilet or wheelchair-friendly walkways.
- Work out how you will get there – once you’ve decided on your destination, you need to consider how you will get there. Consider whether the destination is accessible by public transport or whether you need a car and how this will affect your plans. If you’re planning to travel by train to your chosen destination, you can pre-book assistance on and off the train at some stations.
- Decide what mobility aids you will need – for the best experience on your day out or holiday, you need to decide which mobility aids will best serve you. You may prefer to travel lighter and look at hiring a wheelchair at your destination, or you may prefer the comfort of taking your own familiar aids.
- Ensure you have help on hand – taking someone along with you who can support you should you need it can make your day run more smoothly.
Best accessible days out
The best accessible days out in the UK will depend on your personal preferences and accessibility needs. However, we have rounded up some options across different regions of the UK.
The North
The National Railway Museum, York
The National Railway Museum is a delight for train enthusiasts and those who love nostalgia. Located on Leeman Road, York, it houses iconic trains such as the Flying Scotsman, Mallard, and a replica of The Rocket.
In terms of accessibility, wheelchairs are freely available for visitors to use, meaning there’s no need to bring your own. There is also free disabled parking, disabled toilets in the main areas of the museum, and large print maps are available from reception.
Alnwick Gardens
Described as a garden for everyone, Alnwick Gardens is sure to delight those who enjoy spending time in nature and keen gardeners.
Accessibility is taken incredibly seriously and the company aims to provide accessible access to as many of the gardens as possible.
Steps they have taken to help ensure that the gardens can be enjoyed include:
- Assistance dogs are allowed on site
- Carers go free when visiting with a guest with disabilities
- All types of mobility scooters and wheelchairs are welcome and a small number of wheelchairs are available to use free of charge, but pre-booking is recommended
- Providing a detailed accessibility guide with detailed information on what to expect
The South
Hawk Conservancy Trust, Hampshire
If you love birds, you won’t be disappointed by the spectacular variety of birds of prey and owls you can see at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Set within 22 acres of woodland, with mainly flat tarmac paths, you can explore to your heart’s content. The site also offers plenty of chances for those with reduced mobility to interact with birds up close.
Royal Pavillion and Garden, Brighton
Experience this fantasy palace and bask in Regency splendour at the Royal Pavillion. Built to mimic the iconic Taj Mahal by the Prince Regent it was a luxury pleasure ground that still delights visitors today with its lavish interiors. Although the upstairs isn’t accessible to wheelchair users, there is plenty to explore downstairs, including an audio-visual room, accessible toilets and tactile tours for those who are blind or partially sighted. The gardens feature wide tarmac paths and flat lawns ideal for wheelchair users or those using mobility aids, like a walking stick.
Bicester Village, Oxfordshire
For an accessible shopping experience you won’t forget, Bicester village is a must-visit. Set in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside, it features more than 150 boutiques, including designer names like Fendi and Givenchy. All are accessible by wheelchair with friendly concierges and hosts on hand to provide any assistance should it be required. Access dogs are also welcome in the stores.
Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
If you have a head for heights, then the Spinnaker Tower is a great destination to visit. Located in Portsmouth harbour, the impressive 170m tall viewing platform offers panoramic views out across the Isle of Wight, the South Downs and the New Forest. The tower is reached by a high-speed lift that hurtles you 100m above sea level, allowing everyone to enjoy special views, while accessible toilets on site and a hearing loop provide additional support for those with accessibility needs.
Scotland
Balmoral Castle
Enjoy a visit to this royal residence, and explore the summer residence of past and present royalty. All facilities at Balmoral Castle are suitable for disabled access, with wheelchairs and mobility scooters permitted throughout, priority parking, and accessible toilets.
The Scottish Whisky Experience
For a true taste of Scotland, a whisky tour is a must. The Scottish Whisky Experience is fully accessible, with a non-raised front entrance and lifts to all the floors and accessible toilets. The experience can be found in the centre of Edinburgh and while parking is not available on-site, those with mobility needs can be dropped off at the front entrance, or public transport stops are within easy reach.
The Helix
A vibrant sculpture park sprawling over 350 hectares between Falkirk and Grangemouth, The Helix is a great destination for nature and culture lovers. The most famous sculptures are two gargantuan horses called The Kelpies, designed by artist Andy Scott. The site has smooth, level pathways throughout and a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the visitor centre, café, gift shop, and disabled toilets.
Wales
National Botanic Garden of Wales
A botanic garden designed to be accessible to all visitors, whatever their ability. Covering 568 acres, much of the site is served by wide, flat, hard paths, but some paths are slightly steeper, steep and slippery. However, the gardens offer free wheelchairs at the visitor entrance, while a shuttle buggy service takes you to most parts of the Botanic Gardens. In addition, there are large fully accessible changing places facilities.
WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre
For a day out in nature, visit the WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, which is a haven for water-loving birds and insects. As well as having accessible parking and toilets on site, step-free entry to hides, and mobility scooters available for hire, the staff are all knowledgeable about the needs of people with mobility issues and can provide assistance should you need it.
Best accessible holidays in England
Choosing a holiday destination in Britain that is accessible can be difficult, but research from Senior Stairlifts offers new insights into the most accessible locations in Britain. They considered what accessibility factors were available from restaurants and hotels to visitor attractions and Blue Badge parking.
The top destination for holidays for the elderly with limited mobility in the UK is Norfolk, closely followed by Cumbria and Somerset.
However, there are plenty of other places you can visit, so if you’re looking for the best assisted holidays for the elderly in England so you can enjoy a break away from your usual routine, discover some of our recommended providers:
Limitless Travel
Limitless Travel provides holidays in the UK, Europe and around the world for those with mobility needs. With care packages tailored to offer varying degrees of support and assistance, no matter what your needs, you can be sure you will be able to relax and enjoy your break. They have a comprehensive disabled access holiday guide which provides more information about the support they offer.
Some of their most popular UK holiday destinations include Blackpool, Cornwall, the Cotswolds, Lake District and Devon.
Parkdean Resorts
Parkdean Resorts offers wheelchair-friendly caravans at 63 of their holiday parks, as well as a range of on-site accessible facilities and recommendations on accessible local attractions to enable you to make the most of your stay.
Their caravans are a great option for family getaways as everyone can enjoy being able to spend time together.
Sykes Cottages
This award-winning holiday cottage provider offers a specific accessible search, enabling you to easily find accessible holiday cottages in Britain. Sykes Cottages even offer pet-friendly cottages, ideal if you want to take your four-legged friend along with you. In addition, they offer 24/7 ‘on holiday’ emergency support so you can reach out and get support if something isn’t right.
Do you need support on your day out?
If you are keen to enjoy more days out but would benefit from some support, we can help.
At Trinity Homecare, we can provide comprehensive support to enable you to continue doing the things you love, whether that’s enjoying visits to your local museum, exploring nature or travelling further afield. Our carers are fully trained to support people with a range of mobility issues ensuring no matter what your needs, you can be confident getting out and about.
We can provide assistance bespoke to your needs whether you receive visiting care or live-in care. Simply get in touch to find out more about the home care we offer.
Trusted home care from Trinity
If you’re looking for reliable home care to support you live a full and rewarding life, trust Trinity Homecare. For the past 25 years, we have provided the highest standards of care to ensure people can continue to live a full and rewarding life on their terms.
Trinity Homecare is a fully managed care agency with an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, placing Trinity amongst the top 4% of all nationwide care companies in England. With this in mind, you can rest assured that your loved one will receive the highest standard of care and specialist support.
If you have any questions about arranging home care, simply get in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable care team.
Arranging nationwide home care with Trinity is straightforward.
Simply follow these five steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A well-suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
