Landmarks in the UK with the best accessibility

If you’re looking for some great days out where accessibility isn’t a problem, then look no further. This list has been put together by mobility stairlifts suppliers Acorn Stairlifts, to ensure you know where all the top most accessible UK landmarks are!

National Space Centre
Explore the stars at the UK’s biggest planetarium. Take in some of the attraction’s grandest artefacts at the semi-transparent Rocket Tower, feel what it would be like to be an astronaut venturing away from Earth in the Into Space gallery, and take in some truly amazing shows at the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium.

Want to see something truly mind-boggling? Study a collection of unusual objects throughout the Space Oddities gallery. Or, the Orbiting Earth gallery will help you realise all of the satellites currently in space and their roles in our lives. Completing the experiences are The Universe and Our Solar System galleries — two facilities which are great if you ever wonder what’s beyond our planet.

Interesting fact
All routes to Leicester will see you in the view of the Rocket Tower, which is 42 metres tall. It houses both Blue Streak and Thor Able rockets, not to mention the Apollo Lunar Lander, real Moon Rock and the Gagarin Experience.

Accessibility
The centre caters to all accessibility needs. If you require a wheelchair upon arriving at the attraction, these are available on loan free of charge but subject to availability. The National Space Centre welcomes assistance dogs too, while the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium is fitted with an induction loop and has spaces for up to six wheelchairs.

Take a look at this page if you want to know much more about accessibility at the National Space Centre.

Address
National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS.

Opening times
The National Space Centre is open from 10.00am until 4.00pm from Monday to Saturday, as well as from 10.00am until 5.00pm on Sundays.

There will be special events at the attraction which will see it also open throughout the evening, with members of the public encouraged to keep an eye on their detailed on-site calendar to find out more.

Official website
https://spacecentre.co.uk/

Chill Factore
Chill Factore is a stone’s throw from The Trafford Centre, so you can ski and shop to your heart’s content! The recipient of the Manchester Tourism ‘Access for All’ Award in 2010, the attraction not only provides both snowboard and ski lessons for all levels, but also entertaining snow activities like tubing and a luge ice slide. There’s even a 12-metre climbing wall, as well as cafes, bars, restaurants and a host of the UK’s leading outdoor clothing shops along the site’s authentic Alpine Street.

Interesting fact
Boasting a 180 metre slop, Chill Factore has the UK’s largest ski slope! Don’t worry if you don’t feel confident in skiing down this slope just yet though, as the attraction is also host to a 40-metre beginner slope.

Accessibility
Chill Factore’s facilities are largely on the ground floor, and their first-floor facilities are accessible via lifts. Nationwide registered charity, Disability Snowsport UK, also has its home at Chill Factore, where it provides adaptive skiing to individuals with any disability — whether this includes physical, sensory or learning problems.

Head to Chill Factore’s Accessibility page for further information.

Address
Chill Factore, Trafford City, 7 Trafford Way, Manchester, M41 7JA (sat-nav systems may not recognise the M41 postcode. If that’s the case, visitors are advised to use the older postcode: M17 8DD).

Opening times
Opening times of Chill Factore vary throughout the year and are also different depending on which part of the attraction you’re hoping to use. However, the main entrance is open from 7.00am until 12.00am all week between Monday April 16th and Sunday October 21st 2018.

For specific times regarding different facilities, please click here.

Official website
https://www.chillfactore.com/

Emirates Spinnaker Tower
The Emirates Spinnaker Tower offers amazing views of the UK’s southern coastline. Spread across a trio of sky-high viewing decks — which you can reach via a high-speed lift — the attraction also has an exhilarating ‘Sky Walk’ that’s made of glass and is placed 100 metres above sea level. True thrill-seekers can also arrange an abseil 100 metres down the side of the renowned building, while The Drop is new to 2018 and involves a harnessed descent from the waterside landmark. The High Tea Experience is suited to those looking for a more relaxing visit, while fun-filled events take place at the site throughout the year too — comedy nights, Christmas parties and a New Year’s Eve party to name a few!

Interesting fact
You can see as far as the Isle of Wight, as The Emirates Spinnaker Tower is 170 metres tall!

Accessibility
There is lift access to two of the viewing decks, which are 100 metres and 105 metres above sea level. However, the Sky Deck — the highest view deck of the Emirates Spinnaker Tower — can only be accessed by stairs. There’s also a hearing loop available from the attraction’s reception, while guided tours can be arranged — though pre-booking is essential. Once inside Emirates Spinnaker Tower, there are three disabled toilets.

Click here to read the full details of accessibility at the Emirates Spinnaker Tower.

Address
Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3TT.

Opening times
General admissions: open daily from 10.00am, with last entry at 5.30pm.

Waterfront Café: open daily from 9.30am until 6.00pm, though last orders are at 5.30pm.

Official website
https://www.spinnakertower.co.uk/

Beamish Museum
Beamish, the world-famous open-air museum, lets everyone experience North-East England in the 1820s, 1900s, and the 1940s. Those at the museum can visit a pre-World War One town, a pit village, a farm in operation during the Second World War, a colliery, picturesque Pockerley Old Hall, and Rowley Railway Station as it was in Edwardian time. Enjoy a ride on the Beamish Tramway to experience a form of travel that is becoming rarer these days, while plans are also in place to expand Beamish Museum with a 1950s town, upland farm and Georgian coaching inn in the months and years to come.

Interesting fact
Who was European Museum of the Year 1987? It was Beamish!

Accessibility
Being an outdoor museum, there are some naturally uneven parts across the grounds. There are steep slopes, while a few buildings and exhibits have stepped access. The companion or carer of a disabled visitor is admitted into Beamish Museum free of charge, while a disabled child under five years old and their parent are also not required to pay admission. Once inside, free wheelchair hire is available from the Entrance Building — assistance dogs and motorised scooters are welcome throughout the museum, too.

Much more information about accessibility at Beamish Museum is available here.

Address
Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG.

Opening times
Until October 28th 2018, Beamish Museum is open daily from 10.00am until 5.00pm, though last admission is at 3.00pm.

From October 29th 2018 to April 5th 2018, Beamish Museum is open daily from 10.00am until 4.00pm, though last admission is at 3.00pm. However, take note that Beamish Museum will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and on Mondays and Fridays from January 8th until February 15th.

Official website
http://www.beamish.org.uk/

Coca-Cola London Eye
Opened in the year 2000, the Coca-Cola London Eye is the most popular paid-for visitor attraction in the UK. Guests who enjoy a ride on this attraction are provided with a unique perspective of London. There are plenty of events to take part in when inside one of the Coca-Cola London Eye’s pods too, including the opportunities to enjoy barre or yoga classes with a twist courtesy of Time Out London.

Interesting fact
At 135 metres tall, the Eye is the largest cantilevered observation tower in the world.

Accessibility
There are T Loop facilities and boarding ramps available for elderly and disabled visitors to the Coca-Cola London Eye. A limited number of wheelchairs is also available for loan at the site’s customer service desk, while mobility scooters, wheelchairs and assistance dogs are all permitted as well.

Head to this page if you want to read the full details of accessibility at the Coca-Cola London Eye.

Address
The Coca-Cola London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB.

Opening times
Typically, the Coca-Cola London Eye opens at 10.00am and closes at between 6.00pm and 8.30pm. However, opening times vary throughout the year.

Official website
https://www.londoneye.com/

Titanic Belfast
Discover the tragic tale of the Titanic at the largest Titanic visitor attraction. The attraction plays host to the Titanic Experience — complete with nine interactive galleries which include an electronic dark ride and the chance to reflect on the excitement of Titanic’s launch day. There’s also a tour of the very spot where the passenger liner departed on its doomed voyage. It’s not all about the Titanic either, as Titanic Belfast also allows visitors to walk the decks of SS Nomadic — berthed in the neighbouring Hamilton Dry Dock, it’s the world’s last White Star Line ship.

Interesting fact
Titanic Belfast’s site is only 100 metres away from the site where the Titanic’s hull was constructed. The drawing office where the passenger liner was designed is also to the right of the building, with the Victoria Channel from where she first set sail to the left.

Accessibility
The flagged Plaza, galleries, and circulation spaces are fully accessible. However, the Shipyard Ride can’t accommodate mobility scooters because of dimensional and weight restrictions. One standard wheelchair can get onto a wheelchair-accessible car at this facility though, but wheelchairs must not be larger than one metre in length.

For partially-sighted and blind visitors, there are free audio guides available. Plus, guide dogs are welcome on site.

Click this link for everything you need to know about accessibility at Titanic Belfast.

Address
Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queens Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, BT3 9EP.

Opening times
Opening times differ across the year, and are as follows:

• From October to March — open from 10.00am until 5.00pm.
• In April and May — open from 9.00am until 6.00pm.
• In June and July — open from 9.00am until 7.00pm.
• In August — open from 9.00am until 8.00pm.
• In September — open from 9.00am until 6.00pm.
  
  Take note that Titanic Belfast is closed from December 24th to 26th.

Official website
https://titanicbelfast.com/  

WWT Wetland Centres
There are 10 Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Centres spanning various locations across the UK. Head to any of the Wetland Centres and you can traverse amazing trails and canoe safaris through quaint waterways. You also shouldn’t be surprised if you witness close encounters with some of the most dramatic and rare birds seen across the globe, or spot anything from frogs and dragonflies to water voles.

Interesting fact
WWT Wildlife Centres play host to 50,000 schoolchildren on educational school trips every year, with 15,000 of them from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is made possible through the company’s free school visits scheme.

Accessibility
The sites support accessibility features, though these do vary slightly from location to location. All the WWT Wetland Centres have wheelchair hire, accessible walkways, accessible parking spaces, accessible toilets, and a series of step-free hides. Assistance dogs are welcome at each site, too.

Find more details about accessibility at WWT Wetland Centres here.

Address
There are ten WWT Wetland Centres based across the UK, with the addresses  click here to find your nearest centre

Official website
https://www.wwt.org.uk/