Accessible weekend breaks across the UK
26th January 2023
The UK is full of wonderful cities, towns, and destinations to enjoy a weekend break, including for those who use stairlifts at home or who live with limited mobility. Whether you are hoping for a weekend of museums and art galleries or a couple of days by the beach, there is an accessible UK holiday for you. If you are looking for a weekend getaway to enjoy in the UK, the accessible weekend break guides found on this page can help you with your plans.
Locate the destination you are interested in visiting and click on the relevant link to read our dedicated accessibility guide to weekend breaks in the area.
Contents
- Cities to visit for an accessible break in the UK
- Accessible UK short breaks by region
- Tips for a great accessible break
Cities to visit for an accessible short break in the UK
READ ALSO: The most accessible cities in the UK
Accessible UK short breaks by region
South East
Brighton
The seaside resort of Brighton is a popular destination for people of all ages because of its coastal location and its variety of attractions. Brighton is easy to explore on foot or via public transport, making it an ideal place for people with mobility problems to visit. Some must-see attractions in Brighton include the Royal Pavilion, the Brighton Palace Pier, and the Brighton Sea Life Centre.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Brighton
Canterbury
Canterbury is an ancient city known for its famous architecture, history, and heritage. The city is easily accessible and offers a number of attractions, tours, and activities for visitors with disabilities. Some of the must-see attractions in Canterbury include the Canterbury Cathedral, the Canterbury Roman Museum, and Howletts Wild Animal Park.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Canterbury
Southampton
Southampton is a popular destination for accessible weekend breaks. The city has a rich maritime history and is home to numerous museums, galleries, and theatres. The Solent Sky Museum, SeaCity Museum, and Southampton Art Gallery are all accessible attractions to visit in the city. There are also plenty of tours, restaurants, and activities to try that cater to visitors with mobility issues.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Southampton
North West
Blackpool
Blackpool is a great destination for an accessible weekend break. It’s home to a variety of accessible attractions, including the Blackpool Tower, the Blackpool Piers, and the Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Blackpool offers a range of accommodations that cater to visitors with mobility issues, as well as accessible tours, restaurants, and activities.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Blackpool
Chester
Chester is another fantastic city to visit for a weekend break for the elderly. There is a range of accessible attractions, including the Chester Cathedral, Chester Zoo, and the City Walls. You will also find plenty of accommodation suitable for those with limited mobility, as well as places to eat and drink.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Chester
Liverpool
Liverpool, the home of the Beatles, is a great destination for a weekend break if you have mobility issues. The city hosts a variety of accessible attractions, including the Tate Liverpool, the Royal Albert Dock, and the World Museum. Liverpool’s local transport also makes it easy to explore and therefore an ideal place for older people to visit.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Liverpool
Manchester
Manchester is a great destination for older people and those with limited mobility to visit for a weekend break. Those who decide to make the trip will discover accessible attractions like the shopping paradise known as the Trafford Centre, the Imperial War Museum North, and Manchester United’s world-famous Old Trafford stadium.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Manchester
East of England
Norwich
Anyone seeking weekend breaks with wheelchair access will find plenty to keep them entertained in Norwich. This historic city is very accessible, making it a great destination to explore for those with mobility problems. Top attractions include Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Theatre Royal, and Norwich Castle, and visitors will find plenty of mobility-friendly restaurants to dine at.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Norwich
West Midlands
Coventry
Coventry is England’s eclectic heart, and it’s the perfect weekend getaway for someone with limited mobility. Those visiting Coventry for a day or a weekend break can enjoy attractions like the Coventry Transport Museum and The Coventry Music Museum or dine at top-class restaurants like The Old Crown.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Coventry
South West
Bath
It’s easy to see why Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage site as it is a great place to visit for a weekend break, and in this guide, you can learn about its best and most accessible attractions like The Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa, and its most accessible restaurants and tours.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Bath
Exeter
This historic and vibrant city is the capital of Devon, and it is very accessible to visitors with mobility problems. Here you can find out about some of the top things you can do in Exeter, accessible attractions you can visit like the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Exeter Cathedral, and its mix of eateries.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Exeter
Plymouth
Plymouth is Britain’s Ocean City, and it is the perfect weekend getaway for someone with limited mobility. Here you can visit accessible attractions like the National Marine Aquarium and Plymouth Hoe, watch a show at the Theatre Royal or dine at the popular Barbican Kitchen.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Plymouth
Truro
Truro in Cornwall is the most southerly city in the UK. Known for its rich history, which dates back over 800 years, and its impressive architecture, it has several accessible attractions, including Truro Cathedral, the Royal Cornwall Museum, and the Truro Farmer's Market.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Truro
Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds
Leeds is a gem of a city in Yorkshire, and it is the perfect weekend getaway for someone with limited mobility. You can go and watch a cricket match at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club and enjoy a concert at Opera North, but Leeds also offers a range of accommodations that cater to visitors with mobility issues, as well as accessible tours, restaurants, and activities.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Leeds
Sheffield
Known as the Steel City, Sheffield is a city rich in history and is a great place for visitors with limited mobility to go on a weekend break. Here you can visit attractions such as The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, and Millennium Gallery, as well as enjoy accessible restaurants and tours.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Sheffield
York
York is a city with Roman roots and a Viking past; unsurprisingly, visitors to the city can see the mix of its contemporary shops and its rich history. York is an accessible city to visit for people with mobility problems as it boasts attractions like the Jorvik Viking Centre, the Yorkshire Museum, and The National Railway Museum. The transport in and around the city is also mobility friendly.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in York
East Midlands
Derby
Being the most central city in the UK, Derby is a great destination for a weekend break, and this guide looks at the best things for visitors with limited mobility to do during their trip. Some of the most accessible attractions in Derby include the Crich Tramway Village, Donington Park, and Kedleston Hall.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Derby
Nottingham
The home of the famous Robin Hood, Nottingham is a city that is accessible to those with mobility problems and some of the things you can do include watching a show at the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, attending a gig at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, and exploring the historic Wollaton Hall.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Nottingham
North East
Newcastle
Newcastle is a vibrant destination, and with award-winning dining, inspiring heritage, acclaimed architecture and the famous Geordie spirit, it is no surprise that the city is on many people’s bucket lists of places to visit in the UK. Some of the attractions you can visit include the likes of the Life Science Centre, the Angel of the North, and the Discovery Museum.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Newcastle
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is great for a weekend break, and this guide looks at the best things for visitors with limited mobility to do during a holiday here. There are accessible attractions, restaurants, and tours you can go on, including the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, and dining at The Prickly Pear Bistro. You can also find out about the best ways to travel to Middlesbrough if you have mobility issues.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Middlesbrough
Wales
Cardiff
Wales’ capital city offers a startling range of accessible attractions, restaurants, and activities to visitors, and they are all within a short distance of one another. You can head to the likes of Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff Castle, and Chapter, which promotes international art, live performances and film.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Cardiff
Swansea
Swansea is Wales’ cultural city and is adjacent to Gower area of outstanding natural beauty. It is an accessible city to visit for people with mobility issues as there are lots of attractions and restaurants to visit, including the National Waterfront Museum and Oystermouth Castle.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Swansea
Scotland
Aberdeen
If you are looking for accessible holidays in the UK, then Aberdeen is the perfect location for a weekend break. There is a plethora of accessible attractions and entertainment on offer, and the likes of Aberdeen Art Gallery and the David Welch Winter Gardens are all accessible attractions you can visit in this Scottish city.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Aberdeen
Glasgow
Scotland's biggest city is now one of the most intriguing metropolises in the UK, and it is full of accessible attractions, restaurants and activities that visitors with mobility problems can enjoy. You can visit the likes of the Glasgow Science Centre, Cafe Gandolfi and the Glasgow Music City Tours.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Glasgow
Northern Ireland
Belfast
Belfast is full of accessible sights and wheelchair-friendly attractions, meaning older people with mobility problems can easily experience this great city. You can visit accessible attractions like Belfast Zoo and Titanic Belfast, to name just two must-see locations.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in Belfast
Channel Islands
Only a few miles off the Normandy coast in France, the Channel Islands are made up of Sark, Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey, Herm, Jethou and Brecqhou, all of which offer lots of accessible things to do for visitors, such as seeing the wildlife at Jersey Zoo, exploring the island’s history at the German Occupation Museum and dining at Pier 17 Restaurant.
Read the full guide: Accessible weekend breaks in the Channel Islands
Tips for organising a great accessible break
If you are in a wheelchair, or have mobility issues, and are planning weekend breaks with wheelchair access, then you will need to plan and organise accordingly. Here are some tips you should consider in order to enjoy a stress-free accessible holiday:
- Consider what type of accessible holiday you're looking for – is it a weekend by the sea, a river cruise or a city break that you want to go on?
- Pick a suitable destination – Next, you should look to do some research and make a list of places you’d like to visit and see how accessible the location is. You should also look at how you would travel to the destination.
- Look at the accommodation available – If you have a mobility issue, then one of the most important things you need to look at is the accommodation that is available. Check to see if the accommodation on offer is accessible and provides the facilities you need. You need to think about the location of the accommodation and if it is suitable for you.
- Get your details ready – If you are a wheelchair user, make sure you have detailed measurements of your chair to hand during the planning stages, as transport and hotels might need these details. If you're taking any other equipment or medical supplies, make a list of these details, too.
- Check the important documents you need – There is less to worry about for a UK break, but if you are going abroad, remember to check that your passport is in-date and that you have any visas you might need. You should also make sure you’ve got travel insurance to cover any medical emergencies or travel delays.
ALSO READ: What is the most accessible attraction in the UK?
Find an accessible weekend break in the UK
As you can see, there are many wonderful locations across the UK to enjoy an accessible weekend away. To help find weekend breaks for the elderly or for those with limited mobility, utilise the map at the top of this page.
For help with more than just a lovely weekend away, take a look at our stairlift advice page and get in touch for assistance and quotes for the prices of stairlifts and walk-in bath solutions.
For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our news page.
This news article is from Handicare UK. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only.
