Accessible attractions in the South West

Our collection of accessible holiday cottages includes properties located in spectacular coastal and countryside locations throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. To make sure your property caters to your needs, we have carefully chosen a range of properties that offer increased accessibility features. These include single story accommodation, wheelchair ramps, wider doorways and corridors, ground floor bedrooms and wet rooms. Some of our self-catering cottages are also members of the National Accessibility Scheme.

Above all, our aim is to make your holiday comfortable and relaxing. If you would like us to check a particular property’s facilities, or if you have any questions about your chosen holiday, contact our Bookings Team who will be happy to help.

There’s so much to see and do in the West Country. As well as beautiful beaches (many of which have good access), picturesque villages and historic towns, the region offers some outstanding attractions such as the Eden Project, The National Aquarium and SS Great Britain. The West Country also boasts an impressive diary of events, from food, music and arts festivals to sporting events and regattas.

Find the right property for you and experience all that this wonderful part of the country has to offer for a truly memorable holiday.

Somerset

Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol Winner of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain awards Best heritage venue 2010, the SS Great Britain prides itself as one of the most accessible historic ships in the world. Discover life onboard this Victorian ship with facilities such as audio tours for blind and partially sighted visitors, video tours deaf and hard of hearing visitors and wheelchair access. Guide and assistance dogs welcome and assistant or carer goes free.

The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, Cheddar Learn all about how delicious cheddar cheese is made before trying and buying at Cheddar’s only cheddar cheese factory. Fully accessible for disabled visitors, it also has disabled toilet facilities and guide dogs are welcome.

Dorset

Monkey World, Wareham Founded by renowned primate expert Jim Cronin, Monkey World is a sanctuary for abused and neglected apes that also works with governments around the world to halt the illegal smuggling of apes out of Africa and Asia. The park offers impressive facilities for less-abled visitors. As well as designated parking and disabled toilets, there are wheelchairs and motorised scooters available, written versions of keeper talks for the hearing impaired and sensory sculptures for the visually impaired. The play areas also feature wheelchair swings and reclining chairs.

The Lighthouse Theatre, Poole Poole’s self-proclaimed ‘centre for the arts’ offers theatre, film, music, comedy, dance, literature and visual arts, as well as workshops on everything from puppet making to language conversation. The theatre welcomes guide, hearing and assistance dogs, and offers a state of the art audio description and captioning service during access performances.

Cornwall

Eden Project, St Austell This internationally acclaimed eco-attraction offers visitors the chance to learn more about the natural environment all over the world. As well as its permanent exhibitions it also puts on arts, theatre and music events and educational experiences.

The Eden project has won an award for its accessibility. Routes around the site have been designed with access in mind and the exhibits are a feast for all the senses. Other features include hearing loops, disabled toilets, designated parking and use of free wheelchairs. Assistance dogs are welcome.

The Tate Museum, St Ives The Tate St Ives is home to modern and contemporary art, which has often been created in or associated with Cornwall. The building is wheelchair accessible and other facilities include a disabled toilet, hearing loop, braille signs and a lift. Touch Tours of the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Gardens are also available if booked in advance. Guide dogs are also very welcome.

Devon

The National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth The UK’s largest aquarium hosts 50 live exhibits and over 4000 animals. Access around the aquarium is via walkways and lifts are supplied where there are stairs. As well as disabled parking bays and drop off points for minibuses and coaches, there are a limited number of wheelchairs on site available free of charge on a first come first served basis and there are full disabled toilet facilities. Carers for the disabled are admitted free of charge (1 per person) and guide dogs are welcome.

Knightshayes Court, Nr Tiverton This beautifully preserved Victorian manor, designed by William Burges, gives an atmospheric insight into life in a grand country house. Its gardens are renowned for their fine specimen trees and rare shrubs, and offer attractive woodland walks.

Facilities for less-abled visitors include designated parking spots, a drop-off point, ramped entrance, fully accessible ground floor and a lift to the 1st floor. There is also an adapted WC at stables and house entrance and three manual wheelchairs are available.