Combining what we know about managing wheelchair and disability friendly accommodation with our experiences as holiday goers, we’ve learned a lot about organising holidays to meet accessibility needs. 

We thought we’d share some of our best tips with you in this post so that your next UK holiday lives up to expectations.

1. Start with research

When you decide you want to book a holiday, you’ll typically have an idea about where you want to visit and what you want to do while you’re there. But while a lot of Britain is accessible, not everywhere is. So it’s wise not to put all of your eggs in one basket. 

Instead, start by listing two or three places you’d like to visit, then research everything you can about them. The great thing about the internet is that you don’t have to look too far to find someone who’s been where you want to go. And if they haven’t spoken of their experiences online already, they’re usually happy to when asked. 

Google (as is the case with everything these days) is the best place to start your search. Popping ‘accessibility in [the place you want to visit]’ into the search engine will bring up all kinds of guides and blog posts for you to browse through to get a better idea of whether the location meets your needs. 

For example, here are some of the results for a search for ‘accessibility in County Durham’:

Beyond Google, you’ll find out a lot about locations through travel review sites like TripAdvisor, as well as disabled forums and Facebook Groups. Any opportunity you have to get the thoughts of holiday goers in your community, take it. First-hand experiences are a good gauge of whether a place is well suited.      

The accessibility sections of tourist board websites are also a good source of information, with links to resources and tips for making your trip a memorable one: 

●    Accessibility in England
●    Accessibility in Scotland
●    Accessibility in Wales
●    Accessibility in Northern Ireland

Many local tourist board websites also let you search for businesses with accessibility information.

2. Think about what you need

Once you have a destination in mind, you’ll need somewhere to stay. A good way to find suitable accommodation is to list the things you have at home that help with independent living and find a place that offers the same kind of set-up. 

Euan’s Guide and The Good Hotel Guide are useful online resources to help narrow down your search for accommodation. Both feature details on hotel and guesthouse accessibility, along with comments from guests. Our own self-catering cottages feature on Euan’s Guide too.

But don’t rely solely on website reviews. What’s right for one person, isn’t necessarily right for you. Give the hotel or guesthouse a call and ask about their facilities. For example: 

●    Do stairs have handrails?
●    Are their seats in the showers?
●    Is there a roll-in shower? 
●    Is there a permanent entrance ramp?
●    Are hoists available? 
●    Is there a working lift?
●    Are transfers available?

No detail is too small or insignificant when it comes to asking questions about a hotel.

3. Travelling to your destination

If you drive, getting to your destination shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Though if you’re travelling from one end of the country to the other, it’s worth planning stops at services that cater to your needs. While all services in the UK are required to be fully accessible, you may find that some shops can only be accessed via steps and some disabled toilets can only be accessed with a key, which means tracking down an operator. 

If you’re travelling to your destination by plane or public transport, a little more planning will be needed. 

●    Check that trains, planes or coaches have suitable legroom and space for moving from a wheelchair to a seat and vice-versa
●    Unless you’re sure accessible taxis are available at airports and stations at all times, book any transfers in advance
●    Check that local buses are accessible

Travelling by plane, train or coach will also limit what you can take as luggage. So it’s worth finding out if equipment hire is available at your destination and booking in advance. 

4. Getting out and about

While it’s nice to be spontaneous on holiday, it’s worth having an idea of the places you’d like to visit during your trip.

Research the accessibility of any tourist attractions, restaurants or pubs you want to visit before travelling so that you’re not left disappointed or hanging around while trying to find out whether a place is suitable.  

If you’re staying in accommodation specifically designed for wheelchair and disability access, ask staff for recommendations. We’re always happy to recommend suitable places to visit in and around the local area and book transport to help get you there.

5. Don’t forget travel insurance

Travel insurance is something we tend to only associate with going abroad but, as we’ve seen with the coronavirus pandemic, things can go wrong when planning trips at home too. 

While you’ve got full access to the NHS for any medical emergencies, UK holiday travel insurance will cover you for any:
 
●    Transport delays and cancellations
●    Booking cancellations beyond your control
●    Lost, stolen or damaged luggage
●    Baggage valuables (e.g. phones, jewellery and medical equipment)

The chances are you won’t need it, but it’s nice to have the peace of mind that all is not lost if something unfortunate happens. 

Holiday planning is all part of the fun

Whether it’s up here with us in our little corner of northern England or down on the very tip of the south-west coast, the UK is home to sprawling countryside, stunning coastline and bustling cities for everyone to enjoy. 

Planning for your holiday in advance will make your trip less stressful and prevent any nasty surprises along the way. More importantly, it will give you something to look forward to and get excited about and we all know that’s one of the best bits of booking any getaway.

View our availability and prices to plan the perfect disabled friendly self-catering break.