Looking for a holiday or a day out but worried about accessibility? Editor Victoria Galligan takes a look at the accessible adventures waiting for you across the UK…
Dare to ride the ZipCoaster
Award-winning activity centre Calvert Kielder in the North East is open to all for time out and the opportunity to access a range of inspiring and increasingly challenging experiences and activities – from the serene to the scintillating.
It has opened a new attraction this spring, Europe’s first AvatarOne roller coaster zipwire. The ZipCoaster will be fully accessible and feature all the twists and turns you’d expect on a rollercoaster, set the in beautiful countryside at Kielder Country Park. You can also take part in other challenging activities including high ropes, a king swing, climbing walls, canoeing, kayaking and much more.
The accessible accommodation at Calvert Kielder is a huge draw for families and groups with mobility needs – the main centre itself has rooms boasting artwork and a Gallery Corridor, plus there are executive chalets and lodges which are just minutes from the centre, easily walkable and fully accessible too. 
Alpaca adventure
If unusual animals are your thing, then check out Otterpool Barn which began life when two alpaca farmers from Ilfracombe in Devon decided to transform a disused, centuries-old threshing barn into luxury, disabled-friendly holiday accommodation.
Thought to be one of the very few bespoke disabled-friendly holiday lets of its size in the country, Kate and Simon Brookes turned their empty stone barn into luxury holiday accommodation with the help of just one labourer. The property has been awarded the highest level of accessibility standard by Visit Britain and a 4* gold quality award rating.
Kate said: “Among our very first visitors was a disabled man who hadn’t been able to have a bath for 30 years because he didn’t have a bathroom hoist at home. He said it was wonderful to be able to enjoy a bath here.”
Accessibility is perfect in pods
Wigwam Holidays has developed an accessible pod to be sited at some of its 80 locations across the UK. The pod has a wide-access wet room with grab rails, a ramp to get in and out of the cabin, lowered sink and hob, sufficient wheelchair turning circles and the fittings for a mobile hoist.
Charles Gulland, Managing Director of Wigwam Holidays, said: “We firmly believe that having a great holiday in the great outdoors should be accessible to everybody.”
Many Wigwam sites are open throughout the year and most are dog-friendly too.
LegoLand Windsor
Staff at the block-built wonderland have been working with the Business Disability Forum to ensure they are meeting the needs of disabled customers and delivering the best customer experience possible.
You can hire a wheelchair or mobility scooter at the park for a fee (reserve online to ensure you don’t miss out!) and all main pathways, shops and restaurants are accessible. The Hill Train allows families to avoid huffing and puffing up the steep slope and it’s wheelchair-accessible. Assistance animals are welcome too – but cannot go on the rides.
And if queueing is an issue, the Ride Access Pass allows you to book a place on a ride via an app, then when your slot comes up, you can go to the front of the queue and a member of staff will help you onto the ride.
Like all parks, there are restrictions on physical impairments for certain rides – check on the Accessibility Guide before you go to avoid disappointment.
As well as Lego creations, shows and merchandise, there a plethora of exciting rides – this year’s big new attraction is the Haunted House Monster Party and is billed as the most Fang-Tastic Ride Ever!
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