Accessible things to do this Easter

With warm weather predicted for the Easter break, it’s the perfect time to get out and about and enjoy the sunshine. There are a host of accessible things to do across the UK, so whether you’re on the hunt for a family day out, some retail therapy or something to get the heart pounding, take a look at our suggestions here.

If you want to spend Easter getting up close and personal with some of nature’s most beautiful creatures, why not visit Longleat in Wiltshire? With monkeys to big cats to koalas, there are lots to see and do here – even feeding the friendly lorikeets! Once you’ve met the residents, there is also the formal gardens, grounds and the historic house to see too.  Over Easter, Longleat is being transformed into Wonderland for their Alice in Wonderland Easter Eggstravaganza – join the Mad Hatter in the Orangery or take on the maze. Longleat has accessible toilets at various points throughout the site, as well as changing rooms. If you choose to take a trip around the safari park via one of the buses, there are hearing loops installed and the Jungle Cruise is accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. You can find more specific access information on their website.

For those of you who are in the Midlands, check out West Midland Safari Park in Worcestershire. This award winning park is home to a variety of all weather attractions, just in case the weather reporters are wrong! There are amazing animals to visit, as well as exhibits and theme park rides, providing something for everyone. For Easter, the park is opening slightly earlier and you can take part in an Easter Egg hunt and even meet the Easter bunny. All the enclosures are wheelchair accessible and wheelchairs are available for hire. You will also find several disabled toilets and facilities dotted around the park, as well as an adult changing facility. Further access information is available on their website, or from their box office when booking your tickets.

There is also ZSEA Africa Alive in Suffolk, which is set in 100 acres of countryside and is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to hire for guests. Hearing loops are also available for guest’s use and there are disabled toilet and changing facilities. You can find full details on their website, including information about Special Educational groups and their additional events for autism awareness days.

In Norfolk, there is ZSEA Banham Zoo. With 50 acres to enjoy and big cats, reptiles and marmosets to discover, there is plenty to see and do here. The site has been designed to be as accessible as possible, even the Woodland Adventure play park is accessible, with a sensory trail, wheelchair accessible swings and more.

Further north there is Yorkshire Wildlife Park where you can find the only polar bears in England. Situated just 4 miles from the centre of Doncaaster, the park occupies 70 acres of a 260 acre site and you can get up close and personal with a host of fascinating creatures. For Easter, Peter Pan is making an appearance at the park, giving you the chance to fully immerse yourself into the story with live performances and meet and greets.
The animal enclosures have been designed to make it easy for everyone to be able to see the animals up close and you’ll find that all pathways are accessible for wheelchair users. There is further access information available on their website.

For a gentle animal experience that is truly interactive, book a session with Alpacaly Ever After, a sanctuary that rescues alpacas and llamas from all over the country based in the beautiful Lake District. They offer several activities for those with accessibility needs, which include Meet the Alpaca sessions, where you can hand feed the herd and interact with them. Make sure to get in touch with them when booking to find out more.

For those of you who want something a bit more adventurous, there are a host of accessibility friendly theme parks and adventure centres.

In Exeter there is Crealy Theme Park and Resort, the South West’s top place for a family day out and home to the most rides in Devon. For Easter, there are several additional activities and shows taking place, including a Eggo-saurus Dino Hunt where you can take part in a Jurassic adventure to find eggs and also an action packed adaptation of Alice in Wonderland being performed. The whole park has been designed for guests with additional access needs in mind, with disabled facilities throughout and adult changing rooms. They operate a Ride Access Pass to allow those unable to queue easier access to the rides and the majority of the site is wheelchair accessible and there are wheelchairs available to hire.

Find out more and book online on their website.

For those of you with younger children, take a look at Paultons Park in Hampshire. With over 70 exciting rides and attractions and close to the New Forest, Paultons Park is home to Peppa Pig World, where you can find nine Peppa themed rides as well as a host of other adventure activities. A vast majority of the rides, including those in Peppa Pig World are designed to be fully accessible to disabled guests and there are ample facilities for guests with additional needs. You can find more information on their website.

Alternatively, there is Sandcastle Waterpark, the UK’s largest indoor waterpark with more than 18 fantastic slides and attractions. There are family sections, areas for younger visitors and an adult’s only area. The waterpark has a host of facilities for those with mobility requirements including guests with autism. They also host a regular programme of accessible family evenings to allow guests with disabilities and other additional access needs to enjoy the park without the hustle and bustle of a usual session. You’ll find level access throughout and a Changing Places wet room facility as well as water accessible wheelchairs which are available for guest’s use. Braille, hearing loops and subtitles, as well as trained staff are also all available onsite. For guests who feel a little overwhelmed, there is also a quiet room. Find out more about their sessions and book your trip on their website.

If you fancy catching a show over the Easter break, you can find out about accessible performances here or find out more from one of our favourite performance venues.

Chichester Festival Theatre has previously won awards for their access and inclusivity and their staff are fully trailed to tailor all books for whatever their customers need. They are also a Dementia Friendly Theatre and strive to create a calming and friendly environment for everyone. You can find accessible performances, including those for guests with visual impairments and hearing impairments, as well as relaxed performances and a theatre designed for wheelchair access. You can find out more about their performances taking place over Easter on their website.

Another option is the Buxton Opera House and cinema who offer a wide range of performances and screenings. Being such an old building, there are only certain areas that are accessible to those using mobility aids, but there are accessible toilet facilities and the stalls area on the ground floor has wheelchair spaces. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the building and there are headsets available for guests who are hard of hearing, as well as subtitled screenings and BSL interpreted performances. The venue also offers a series of relaxed performances and screenings, you can find out more on their website.

Need more inspiration for accessible things to do this Easter? Click here for a host of suggestions.