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Free download
The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is FREE to download.
It includes ideas for days out across Britain, with reviews, tips and access information.
Ask for a discount even if it's not advertised ;)
Most places will give free admission to Carers/PA's
Free entry for disabled person and carer • Guide dogs and assistance dogs permitted
Cadw is the Welsh Government's historic environment service.
It has responsibility for 130 castles, abbeys, churches, chapels and other historic monuments.
A disabled person and their carer are admitted free at all monuments.
Assistance dogs are welcome at all sites.
Access to some properties is limited to the ground floor for those with limited mobility.
Disabled toilets, disabled parking and motorised scooters/wheelchairs for hire are available at some sites.
For detailed information check the individual entries for each monument on the Cadw Wales website.
Carers go free • free Access guide •admission concessions for the elderly, students and the unemployed
English Heritage has over 400 properties including abbeys, castles and stately homes.
It provides free entry to carers or companions of the disabled to English Heritage sites.
To help you plan your visit your can download a free Access Guide providing information on facilities and support. It also includes virtual tours, audio tours, tactile exhibits and scented gardens.
Printed copies, Braille, large print and audio versions of the Access guide are also available.
Hearing loops and transcripts of tours may also be provided.
English Heritage is working to improve access for all disabled visitors and welcomes comments on the services they provide.
Festivals
Carers go free
Many festivals offer free carer/PA tickets.
Booking procedures are different for each festival.
Disabled access tickets and disabled parking may be booked either through an external company or direct with the festival organisers.
While the carers ticket may sometimes be booked separately or obtained at the festival entrance.
Usually you can find the details on the festival website. If not, ask! Be prepared for a wait on the telephone while they find out the answer.
It is likely that you will need proof of disability when booking or/and entering the grounds.
The disability eligibility requirements also varies between festivals.
Most festivals now have viewing platforms with access ramps close to the main music stages. Disabled toilets are usually located nearby.
Some festivals offer camping for the disabled in a designated area.
British Sign Language and Makaton signers may also be an option.
WARNING!
Laser and strobe lighting may be used at some concerts
Carers go free
The Forestry Commission run a successful concert programme at four of it's forestry sites:
The Forest Live events are held outdoors and there are no covered areas. You must bring your own seating with warm and waterproof clothes as umbrellas are not permitted.
Complementary tickets are available for carers/companions. To book these contact the booking office Tel: 03000 068 0400
Viewing platforms are available for wheelchair users or individuals with limited mobility and are accessible by ramps. Places on the platforms cannot be reserved.
Accessible toilets and disabled parking are provided at venues.
Carers go free • Access information • Guide dogs and assistance dogs permitted
Historic Environment Scotland is the lead public body set up to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment.
Their website provides access details (including toilets) of all the properties with information on audio guides.
It offers free entry to carers accompanying a disabled visitor on a one-to-one basis.
Download the free Access Guide to more than 80 historic sites across Scotland.
Enjoy the summer holidays with a £1 trial of Kids Pass for 40 days and save with over 5,0000 discounts on days out, cinemas, restaurants, holidays & more!
Kids Pass Members enjoy huge savings nationwide:
Members may save on average £50 per month.
Free access to Attractions
The Max Card provides free access to attractions for looked after children, children with complex needs, their friends and family.
The card is valid for two years and gives free entry for 2 children and 2 adults.
A full list of over 245 venues accepting the card across the UK can be found on the website.
Although originally set up for looked after children an increasing number of Local Authorities are now using the scheme for children and young people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or/and children with additional needs.
Did you know....
That FREE entrance is standard practice at ALL UK National Museums
There may be a charge for special exhibits
Carer goes free • free access guide
The National Trust issue a companions free entry card called "Access for All Admit One Card" for the carers
It is issued to the disabled person so that it can be used for different carers.
To obtain an "Admit One Card" email the disabled person's name and address to enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk or telephone: 01793 817634
Entry for the disabled person is at standard cost or free with membership.
The National Trust publish an excellent Access guide to their properties which can be downloaded from their website as a complete book or as individual regional guides.
The Access guide is also available as a book in standard and large print.
A CD version of the guide can be obtained from Soundtalking email: admin@soundtalking.co.uk
The majority of properties offer Braille and large print guides.
Most properties have disabled toilets and free wheelchair loan. Mobility vehicles are available at venues with large gardens and parks.
Carer goes free
Picnic Cinema run by Eden Arts presents films at outdoor venues in the north of England, Cumbria and lake District.
The venues vary from forests, a castles or other outdoor spaces.
The areas are not undercover and you will need to bring your own seating (torches too!). Camping is available at some venues.
Accessibility may be challenging on some sites but they will try to accommodate your needs. Tel: 01768 899444
Free tickets are available for the carer. You will be required to provide either a photocopy of your blue badge or Disability Living Allowance Award for either the care or mobility component.
Theme Parks
Carers go free
Theme Parks welcome disabled visitors and most have flat even paths with disabled toilets and disabled parking close to the main entrance.
You may find that some parts of the park aren't accessible such as woodland or nature areas. So do ask for a map/accessibility guide when you arrive showing difficult to access areas and the location of disabled toilets.
Theme parks may operate a queue jumping system where the disabled person is able to "Fast Track" the queue for the ride or attraction. Entrance to the ride may be through a different gate to avoid turnstiles.
Fast tracking is a great bonus for parents of children with additional needs who are unable to wait and individuals who find waiting difficult through pain or discomfort.
The criteria for the eligibility for Fast Tracking will vary between theme parks. If eligible it will usually include everyone with the disabled individual so they can stay together as a group.
The person with the disability or additional need will usually pay the full entrance fee with a free carer ticket/concession for the main carer. Some parks offer more than one concession if extra support is required.
You will need proof of disability . This may include your Blue badge, a Statement of Special Educational Needs or a letter from a medical professional.
Wheelchair hire may be an option on a first come first served basis.
Activity options may be limited depending on the accessibility of the rides/attractions. Parks have the final say whether a person is able to go on an attraction as they have to consider health and safety issues.
See also:
Merlins Magic Wand (for free tickets to Merlin Entertainment sites)
Public Toilets
Disability Rights runs the National Key Scheme (NKS) for toilets for the disabled in the UK
Toilets fitted with NKS locks can be found all over the UK as they have been fitted in many locations including local authority toilets, toilets in shopping centres, bus and train stations.
To find an NKS toilet you can purchase a guide to the various locations and a Radar NKS key.
There is also an app that can be downloaded from the iTunes store.
The Changing Places campaign for fully accessible toilets with a hoist and changing bench has a searchable location map of toilets
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