Accessible places to visit this Autumn Part 6: The North

Welcome to the sixth and final part of our Accessible Places to Visit this Autumn series where we will be talking about attractions in the North of England. Of course, the North is a big place, so we won’t be able to cover all of them, but here are a few suggestions of things to do if you find yourself in the region.

First off, let’s head on over to Leeds.

Image: Leeds Market Hall.

Leeds is one of the largest cities in the North of England and can be found in the county of West Yorkshire. Known as the Knightsbridge of the North, Leeds is a great place to visit if you’re into your retail therapy and being a city, there are a number of places to stay that have good facilities for those with additional needs. Find out more about accessible accommodation in the North of England here.

As for things to do, well, there is a whole host of things aside from the shopping centre that caters for those with accessibility needs.

Image: Kirkstall Abbey.

If you’re a fan of history and want to find out more about the past, Kirkstall Abbey and Lotherton Hall are two options for you. Both of them have accessible grounds with wheelchair friendly paths as well as accessible toilets but be aware that some of the trails around the grounds are a bit steep. The city is full of museums too, many of which offer large print guides and hearing loops as well as interactive galleries, allowing for those that prefer sensory experiences.
Roundhay Park is a good choice for those of you who want to be outside, it’s got wide, paved paths and is a great place for watching the seasons change.

Further north is the town of Harrogate, a traditional Victorian spa town home to some of the loveliest flower shows and some pretty famous tea rooms as well as a few accessible attractions.

Image: Harrogate.

The town is easy to get around by bus, which have ample space for wheelchair users, though you may have a bit of a wait during busier times.

Your first point of call should be the gardens, one of the best gardens in the county is RHS Harlow Carr where you can explore the flowers and plants at your own leisure. There is ample disabled access, with several toilets, lifts, induction loops, wheel chair hire and large print maps to help you get around. While you might not think visiting a garden is a good idea during autumn, you’d be surprised how beautiful they can be as the leaves start changing to a russet colour and of course, the flower beds are tailored for the season – so they’re always a good place to visit.

Harrogate is also a good destination for history fans, on the outskirts you’ll find a castle where you’ll find regular tours complete with hearing loops and the opportunity for those with visual impairments to get involved by touching the displays as part of the tour.

While we’re in Yorkshire, let’s do a quick detour to York.
Despite the historical nature of the city, lots of work has been done to make sure that the buildings and attractions are as accessible as possible. There are a number of accommodation options which cater for those with additional needs and the city itself is fairly easy to navigate with a reliable public transport system. York is often referred to as the easiest city to visit by train and with the station located in the city centre and it being serviced by several mainline networks. The station is also regularly reviewed as having great accessible features.

Image: York

If you’re planning to walk around, be aware that some of the older streets have the original cobbles which can make it a little difficult for those with limited mobility or using a mobility aid, but the main streets are smoothly paved and provide plenty of room for pedestrians. The city’s public transport is completely wheelchair friendly, with each bus service having enough room to accommodate two wheelchairs as well as a number of seats towards the front which are reserved for those with mobility issues. The drivers also have access to ramps which they can lower at stops throughout the city.

Image: York Minster.

Of course, the most famous place to visit is the Minster. This has also had several reviews praising its accessibility, it’s a spacious building with plenty of room for those with mobility aids and lots of help on hand. It isn’t just about the Minster though, there are plenty of museums to visit all of which have accessible facilities, including being wide enough for wheelchairs and interactive displays.

Find out more about places to stay and attractions here.

On the other side of the country you’ll find Newcastle.

Image: Newcastle.

For science fans, you have to visit the Life Science Centre which is easily located in the centre of the city. The centre has free admission for carers and blue badge parking on site as well as induction loops and large print guides.

There are plenty of museums and other attractions in Newcastle with everything from guides in Braille, large print, tactile signage and hearing loops throughout.

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