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The festive season is nearly upon us and with it, the excitement and busyness – though it is a time of good cheer, it can be incredibly stressful for those with additional accessibility needs. To help you have the merriest of Christmas lead ups, we’ve compiled some suggestions for accessible events and activities from our members, so if you’re looking to inject some Christmas cheer into the next couple of weeks, check out the below!
Accessible theatre and performances
From pantos to musicals, there’s something very exciting about heading to the theatre over the Christmas period. You can of course find a host of performances across the UK here in December, too.
Buxton Opera House in Derbyshire are hosting several accessible performances of Cinderella through December. On 13th December, there is an Autism Friendly performance at 5.30pm and later in the month, on 28th December, there will be a BSL performance too. These performances are adapted and you’ll also find hearing loops available for these and other performances.
Find out more about their accessibility here
Elsewhere in the UK, Curve Leicester are putting on captioned performances of The Owl who came for Christmas on 16th and 30th December and an audio described production of Evita on 15th December, with a touch tour taking place beforehand. You can find more details about their accessibility and book tickets here.
Theatre by the Lake in Cumbria also have a host of accessible performances taking place in the lead up to Christmas, including an audio described performance of A Little Princess on 8th December, followed by a captioned performance on 16th December. You can find more details of their accessible performances throughout the coming year and book tickets here.
In Hampshire, enjoy a special production of the Nutcracker at the National Trust’s The Vyne property. Explore the grounds of the house, enjoy a festive treat and immerse yourself in this magical tale, for a different Nutcracker experience!
Accessible workshops
Ever fancied having a go at some Christmassy crafts? There are a host of workshops taking place across the UK so you can get creative and make some decorations of your own or even some unique gifts for your loved ones.
In Dorset, Moors Valley Country Park are holding a Forest Christmas Wreath Workshop on 5th December. The organisers will be providing all the equipment you need, you just need to turn up! Find out more about the event here and see more about Moors Valley’s accessibility here.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, the National Trust’s Mount Stewart are hosting several Christmas themed workshops. On 18th November, there is a Festive Wreath Making workshop, followed by Mrs R’Ganics Christmas Workshop on 25th November and then a Children’s Christmas Bath Bomb Workshop on 9th December.
Find out more about visiting here.
Where to see Father Christmas
However old you are, there is something very exciting about meeting Father Christmas and finding out if you’ve made the nice list this year! Here are where you can find Father Christmas this year.
There are two opportunities to get into Santa’s good books at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Firstly, start your day with their Breakfast with Santa event, where you get to tuck into a hearty breakfast, meet the man himself and get a gift! If breakfast is a little early for you, don’t worry though, he will also be visiting the Grotto at the Yorkshire Hive on selected dates through December too. See more about the park’s accessibility and how to book your visit here.
You can also find the man himself at West Midland Safari Park as part of their Santa Safari! Follow the elves through to the grotto and then pick your own gift from their workshop!
Find out more details about the park’s accessibility here.
Further south in Hampshire, Paultons Park is going all out with their Christmas celebrations. As well as decorating the whole park, you’ll also be able to watch Santa’s Christmas Wish Show, starring the man himself! Take part in Santa’s Storytime and meet a selection of his helpers, including Rudolph! That’s on top of getting to visit Father Christmas in his grotto and enjoying all the usual fun and games on offer.
The National Trust’s Calke Abbey in Derbyshire is another place giving you plenty of opportunities to meet with Father Christmas. Firstly, there is their Breakfast with Santa event, complete with a warming Full English Breakfast, followed by Magical Mornings with Mrs Claus and then, later in the afternoon, refresh with a Festive Afternoon Tea.
Elsewhere, you can find Father Christmas at WWT Slimbridge. Visit him in his grotto and get a gift if you’ve been good this year, before heading out to enjoy an adventure or two in the wetlands. Find out more here. WWT are also giving you the chance to meet Father Christmas at their Arundel Centre – but this one is a little different. Their Sail to Santa events involve catching a boat over to his grotto! You can find out more and book your voyage here.
He will also be making an appearance of Winchester Science Centre as part of their Cosmic Christmas event. Combining Christmas with the usual intergalactic fun and games, this is a unique way to get into the Christmas spirit. Find out more here
General festivities
If you just want to get into the spirit with some general merriment and festivities, here are all the places you can find incredible decorations, illuminations and more.
Near Barnstaple in Devon, you’ll find National Trust’s Arlington Court and Carriage Museum where you can really get into the spirit with their Christmas events. See the house decorated in all the splendour of a Victorian Christmas, meet Father Christmas, follow the activity trail and more!
See more about their accessibility and events here
Petworth House, a National Trust property in Sussex, has an incredible Christmas offering, including an enchanted winter garden, Christmas decorations, carols in the courtyard and Christmas markets so you can grab the perfect gifts. Find out more here.
Bedgebury Pinetum are hosting a new magical light trail this year. With incredible light shows and a chance to see Santa, this is just one of the ways you can start feeling festive this winter.
Find out more and book your tickets here
The whole family will love Christmas at Fairytale Farm. With a grotto to meet Father Christmas, gathering up reindeer food for the big day, decorating trees and trying out your snowball throwing skills, there’s a host of festive activities to entertain everyone. There’s even an adventure trail to explore! Fairytale Farm are holding special SEND sessions during the Christmas event, so make sure to book these if you can.
Find out more about the event and book here
Want to have a go at ice skating this festive season? Clark’s Village in Somerset is once again hosting their ice rink with dedicated sessions for those who need extra assistance, adapted skates or quieter sessions, you can find out more and how to book your session here.
While you’re in the South West, Crealy Theme Park and Resort are holding their popular Christmas event again. Santa will be appearing in his magical ice show, Sooty and friends will be entertaining you with their own festive celebration, you can have your own meet and greet with Father Christmas and there are some incredible winter light displays to enjoy too.
Find out more here
Want to learn more about accessible things to do in the UK? Click here.
Travelling this winter and looking for places to stay? You can find accessible accommodation options here.
Related
Two Trampers available to hire. Shuttle buggy available most days. Adapted toilets next to tea-room. Dogs on leads welcome in the Carriage Museum, garden, The servants hall and the wider estate. Loose gravel paths, slopes, partly accessible grounds.
The visitor centre is fully accessible to wheelchair users and includes an accessible toilet, baby changing facilities, and a Changing Places facility for those with additional needs. We have an all-terrain mobility scooter and wheelchair for hire and is bookable in advance.
We offer a number of accessible performances throughout the year including relaxed performances. For these performances, we adapt the sound and lighting and provide a quiet space with a sensory tent if anyone needs a few minutes away from the action.
The National Trust's Calke Abbey is a country house estate set among 600 acres of countryside and gardens in Ticknall, Derbyshire.
Some of our services include quiet spaces and shopping hours, as well as sensory aids, mobility assistance and disabled access throughout the centre. Our free shopmobility service provides electric scooters and wheelchairs during your visit. All stores are on ground level, and Clarks Village has wide pathways, so every guest can enjoy the environment and gain access to the stores and gardens.
Crealy Theme Park and Resort has been designed for guests with disabilities and/or additional access needs firmly in mind. All our team are trained to recognise the individual needs of our guests and will do everything possible to ensure all guests have a safe and memorable visit.
Curve is proud to offer a programme of accessible performances throughout the year; including Audio Described with Touch Tours, British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted, Captioned, Dementia Friendly and Relaxed.
We want all our visitors to have a great time. Fairytale Farm has been designed to put disabled people first.
We work hard to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors and the widest possible access to our buildings, facilities, trails, and events.
Accessible lake walk and areas of gardens. Some uneven and steep routes on trails. Accessible toilets. Mobility scooters available. Ground floor of house accessible.
We welcome visits from guests with disabilities and will do everything possible to ensure they have a safe and pleasurable visit and are able to participate in as many activities as possible.
Access to the House is step-free, with designated parking provided for visitors with disabilities and transport available between the car park and the House. The art collection in Petworth House is on the ground floor with level access.
We have an accessible route through the gardens with hard gravel pathways. We also have limited indoor and outdoor wheelchairs available to reserve for the day. Please call 01256 883858.
At TBTL we offer Captioned, Audio Described (with optional touch tour), BSL and Relaxed Performances for in-person events. For digital events we offer a captions toggle.
We welcome all visitors and will try our best to provide as much help as we possibly can. Visually impaired guests are admitted free of charge together with a seeing guide accompanying them. Evidence of disability may be requested.
At Winchester Science Centre, science is for everyone. Discover how we've created an amazing experience that's accessible, fun and really magical.
This gorgeous nature reserve has accessible boat rides and a stunning reedbed boardwalk. Arundel Wetland Centre has buggy and wheelchair-friendly pathways, comfortable hides and disabled and parent & baby facilities.
Whether visitors are passionate birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, families with young children, or individuals with additional access needs, Slimbridge offers a welcoming, inclusive and inspiring experience throughout the year.
Enjoy a full year of fun at Yorkshire Wildlife Park with our Standard and Gold Disabled Memberships - now available to purchase online, as gift vouchers and at the Guest Services building situated at the entrance to the Park!
