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As autumn approaches you might be considering hibernating until next spring, it is a tempting thought, but there are still plenty of fun activities for you to enjoy. To give you a little inspiration, we’ve researched some of the top accessible places you can visit this autumn! In part one of our series of accessible places to visit, we’re heading to Cardiff, Wales’ capital city.
Image: Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff is one of the UK’s smallest cities making it fairly easy to explore on foot. It’s also incredibly flat which makes it an ideal location for anyone who uses mobility aids or has difficulties with walking around inclines. It also benefits from having a great public transport system making it very easy to get around and with the buses and trains being wheelchair accessible, you shouldn’t have a problem getting from A to B.
Wales’ capital city is full of charm, from its many shopping arcades to the attractions that bring thousands flooding to its centre to its connection with Roald Dahl, there is so much to see and do and many of the attractions are completely accessible.
The city’s open air living museum of Welsh history, St Fagan’s National History Museum, is ideal for anyone fascinated with history, especially as many of the exhibits have been moved from their original sites, like the medieval church which once resided in Glamorgan. It’s a huge site and you’ll need a good day to explore it all, but the real draw is the fact that it is completely accessible for those using mobility aids with ramps and lifts as well as a free hire service for anyone who would like to borrow a wheelchair during their visit. There are also facilities available for those who are visually impaired and anyone who might need additional support as staff are on hand to talk you through displays and offer any help that might be needed.
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Image: Millennium Centre.
If you’re in the city for a few days, Cardiff Castle offers various facilities, including tours entirely in BSL, audio guides and touch tours. The castle itself does have stairs, so not all of it is advisable for anyone who has limited mobility, but there are lifts and ramps available for the majority of the tour.
For those of you travelling on a budget, Cardiff is a good choice. Being a student city, it is an affordable one to visit and many of the attractions are free to enter. One such place is the National Museum in the Cardiff Civic Centre. It’s accessible for those using mobility aids and many of the exhibitions have facilities that can benefit those with audio and visual impairments. Plus, they are welcoming to those with additional sensory needs. The building also houses Changing Places facilities which offers peace of mind. The Senedd, aka Wales’ parliament building, has a variety of accessible tours which allow you to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the place, so is definitely one to add to your itinerary.
Of course, we can’t really mention a trip to Cardiff without acknowledging the many shopping opportunities in the city centre. Individual stores have their own policies, but many are joining in with national incentives to offer Autism Friendly Hours, be sure to check with the stores before you travel. Several of them also offer a hearing loop system at the tills and the shopping centre itself has lifts and level floors which are suitable for those using mobility aids. The St David’s Centre has a Changing Places toilet too, as well as staff who are on hand to offer any support and advice should you need it.
Image: Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena
Cardiff is buzzing with culture and live music is a huge draw, with the Wales Millennium Centre, St David’s Hall and the Motorpoint arena, there are gigs on almost constantly. Each individual venue has its own policy when it comes to accessibility and many offer an alternative ticket line so you can book space in sections that are seated or at the front of the venue where you can use your wheelchair, scooters and other aids. There are ramped access to St David’s Hall and the Millennium Centre as well as there being lifts to access the hire floors. The staff are also able to help you when it comes to entry and curfew offering alternative entrances and exits.
Hopefully those things will be enough to inspire you when planning your trip to Cardiff. If you want to find out more about accessible attractions click here or find accommodation here. You can also find more guides for Wales and the South West here.
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Sources:
Euan’s Guide
Viist Cardiff
