History & Heritage

If you like to learn more about the history and heritage of a place when you visit, you’re in the right country! The UK has a rich tapestry of history dating back to Roman times.

From the early settlers, the evidence of prehistoric men in the caves and gorges and modern history, such as the legacy of popular figures such as the Beatles, you can’t escape history and heritage in the UK. Everywhere you look in the UK you’ll find a nod to the region’s past, whether that’s the maritime history of the south coast, the mining history of the west country, the industrial history of the North or something else entirely, you’ll find disabled friendly museums and exhibitions dedicated to the heritage of the region, as well as a Britain’s broader heritage.

While you might not think that many of the UK's heritage attractions are accessible - you'd be surprised! With BSL tours, interactive displays and quiet spaces, there are plenty of accessibility features you can enjoy when exploring Britain's history.

A nation proud of their history

Head to the spa towns of the UK for Roman architecture and to see glorious Georgian buildings or to the North of England to see Hadrian’s Wall and learn about the historic battles between the English and the Scottish. The British are a race that are proud of their history, you’ll find everything preserved from the war rooms Churchill used during the 1940s, to pill boxes, steam railway stations, Victorian cobbled streets, thatched cottages, old mines, even the sites of famous historical battles such as the Battle of Hastings and the Battle of Bosworth and more, so whatever era of history you’re interested in, you’ll find something to pique your interest.

As well as local accessible museums and heritage sites, such as galleries, churches and sites of historical interest like castles, stately homes and more, the UK is home to famous historical buildings, such as Liberty’s London, the first department store which is still in its Tudor style, Windsor Castle, where the Royal Family still live, Edinburgh Castle, The Tower of London and Stonehenge that people from all over the world journey to year on year. Many of these heritage sites are very old, but they still aim to make them as accessible as possible, you’ll find that many of these attractions offer a cut price admission to anyone who visits with their carer and that there are ramps and hearing loops among other facilities installed so everyone can enjoy the rich and varied history of the UK. Many of them are wheelchair accessible and offer quieter opening times for those with sensory conditions, making them ideal for everyone.

Look out for blue plaques

As you make your way around towns and cities, particularly in London, you’ll spot blue plaques marking the spot where famous names throughout history once resided or did something memorable, such as the birth place of Roald Dahl in Cardiff Bay or the site that Alexander Fleming completed his experiments into penicillin which can be found in Paddington, London.
Doing a sightseeing tour or a trip to find blue plaques is a great way to spend your time, many of them are outside in the open which eliminates entry fees and you’ll have plenty of space for mobility aids.

The UK has a whole host of interesting historical sites to visit, each with their own stories, which are waiting to be discovered. Book tickets to one of the heritage centres or museums, or simply turn up to a famous historical site and look around at your own pace. You’ll find that the venues aim to be as inclusive as possible and work hard to provide assistance where it is needed, as well as ensuring that guides are available for those that are hard of hearing or have visual impairments. Many of them have wheelchair access and are welcoming to guide dogs and service animals.

Highlights

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge has two parts to the visit - the Bridge itself and the Victorian Engine Rooms - both…

Sheffield Park and Garden

Sheffield Park and Gardens has acres of Grade I listed landscaped garden and lakes, surrounded by…

Longleat

Longleat Safari Park, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to…

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The National Gallery Trafalgar Square

Address

Trafalgar Square, London, London, WC2N 5DN

Telephone
+44 (0)20 7747 2885

information@nationalgallery.org.uk

London

The National Gallery, in the centre of London, houses one of the world’s greatest collections of paintings. It tells the story of European art, masterpiece by masterpiece. These pictures belong to the public and entrance to see them is free.

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National Trust Stourhead

Address

Stourton, Near Mere, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 6QD

Telephone
01747841152

stourhead@nationaltrust.org.uk

Warminster

When Stourhead first opened in the 1740s, a magazine described it as ‘a living work of art’. The world-famous landscape garden has at its centrepiece a magnificent lake reflecting classical temples, mystical grottoes, and rare and exotic trees, and…

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Longleat

Address

Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW

Telephone
01985 844400

enquiries@longleat.co.uk

Warminster

Longleat Safari Park, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to the UK’s original Safari Park, one of the best examples of Elizabethan architecture, and an abundance of exciting attractions including Jungle…

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Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Musuem

Address

Arlington Court, Arlington, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4LP

Telephone
01271850296

Arlingtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk

Barnstaple

Arlington Court is an unexpected jewel on the edge of Exmoor, a complete family estate held by the Chichester family for over five hundred years. The collection consists of treasures for all tastes, from model ships to shells, collected over several…

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Petworth House & Park

Address

London Road, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9LR

Telephone
01798 342207

michael.cole@nationaltrust.org.uk

Petworth

Explore magnificent Petworth House with its extraordinary collection of art and sculpture and stunning state rooms, set in beautiful grounds and parklands in Petworth.

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Tower Bridge

Address

Tower Bridge Road, London, London, SE1 2UP

Telephone
020 7403 3761

enquiries@towerbridge.org.uk

London

Tower Bridge has two parts to the visit - the Bridge itself and the Victorian Engine Rooms - both are step-free.

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Calke Abbey

Address

Main Street, Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire, DE73 7JF

Telephone
01332863822

calkeabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk

Derby

The National Trust's Calke Abbey is a country house estate set among 600 acres of countryside and gardens in Ticknall, Derbyshire.

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Sheffield Park and Garden

Address

Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QX

Telephone
01825790231

sheffieldpark@nationaltrust.org.uk

Uckfield

Sheffield Park and Gardens has acres of Grade I listed landscaped garden and lakes, surrounded by historic parkland and woodlands.

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North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Address

Multiple locations across North Yorkshire including: Pickering, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ

Telephone
+44 1751 472508

info@nymr.co.uk

Whitby

Visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and be transported back to the past aboard the world's most popular heritage railway.

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Coventry Transport Museum

Address

Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1JD

Telephone
02476 234270

Ctm.info@cvlife.co.uk

Coventry

Coventry Transport Museum’s current collection of vehicles is acknowledged as being one of the finest in the world, and the largest in public ownership.

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Strawberry Field

Address

Beaconsfield Road, Woolton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L25 6EJ

Telephone
0151 252 6130

Liverpool

Strawberry Field, the site immortalised by John Lennon in The Beatles hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, opened its iconic red gates to the public for the first time in 2019.

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National Portrait Gallery

Address

St. Martin's Place, London, London, WC2H 0HE

Telephone
+44 (0)20 7306 0055

info@npg.org.uk

London

The National Portrait Gallery is home to the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. It is a Gallery for everyone, full of life and filled with life stories. The Gallery is accessible and inclusive to all, and entry to the Collection is…

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The Vyne, National Trust

Address

Vyne Road, Sherborne St. John, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 9HL

Telephone
01256 883858

thevyne@nationaltrust.org.uk

Basingstoke

The Vyne, National Trust is a Grade I listed 16th-century country house in Hampshire, set in 13 acres of beautiful, relaxing gardens.

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Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

Address

Jordan Well, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5QP

Telephone
024 76237521

Ctm.info@cvlife.co.uk

Coventry

The perfect place to delve into Coventry’s history and engage with art and culture. You can expect... world-class exhibitions, extraordinary events for all ages, ever-changing displays and unique experiences.

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Mount Stewart – National Trust

Address

Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

Telephone
02842788387

Sunniva.mcdowell@nationaltrust.org.uk

Newtownards

Explore the historic house at Mount Stewart in County Down, Northern Ireland and discover the famous garden, cared for by the National Trust.

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DIG: An Archaeological Adventure

Address

St Saviours Church, St. Saviourgate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8NN

Telephone
01904 615505

groups@yorkat.co.uk

York

Jorvik DIG is the home of the most exciting archaeological artefacts from the 2000 years of history. DIG is an educational resource in York, England, owned by the York Archaeological Trust, which aims to increase understanding of archaeology and…

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Gilbert White’s House & Gardens

Address

High Street, Selborne, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3JH

Telephone
01420 511275

Alton

Discover the beautifully restored house and gardens of natural history pioneer Gilbert White (1720-1793). Regarded as the ‘Father of Ecology’, White’s book ‘The Natural History of Selborne’ is the fourth most published book in the English…

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Blenheim Palace

Address

Blenheim Palace, Oxford Road, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL

Telephone
01993 810530

customerservice@blenheimpalace.com

Woodstock

Receive a warm welcome at Blenheim Palace, the home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Take a tour of the State Rooms and discover over 300 years of history.

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Jersey War Tunnels

Address

Les Charrieres Malorey, St. Lawrence, Jersey, Channel Isles, JE3 1FU

Telephone
01534 860808

info@jerseywartunnels.com

Jersey

In 1940, Nazi Germany invaded the Channel Islands, starting 5 years of gruelling occupation. As a unique tourist attraction and experience, Jersey War Tunnels is the only place in the island where you will find the full story of this Occupation –…

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Eureka! The National Children’s Museum

Address

Discovery Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2NE

Telephone
01422 330 069

rachel.skinner@eureka.org.uk

Halifax

Eureka! opened in 1992 in Halifax, right next to the train station. We’re not like other museums. In Eureka! nothing is trapped inside a glass cabinet! As the UK’s leading fully interactive museum totally dedicated to children ages 0-11 years, we…

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