We asked national charity Tourism For All for their top tips on researching and booking an accessible holiday in the UK. Read on to find out what you should be asking when booking an increased access holiday or view our accessible holiday cottages.
Accommodation access statement
When researching your holiday cottage if you require any special assistance, make sure you ask to see our property access statement. We hold one for each of our increased access properties that have detailed descriptions of any obstacles that the property may have. From whether the front door is fully wheelchair accessible to whether the shower or bath has extra handles to assist you during your stay, we hold all the details you should require - just ask a member of our team for help.
Attraction accessibility and fees
When finding out if an attraction is accessible, don’t forget to ask about their accessible toilets. Will you need a RADAR key or are the toilets open for use? A RADAR key can give access to over 9,000 accessible toilets in the UK.
Also don’t forget some attractions have concession charges. If you need a carer they may be able to get in for free.
Travel
Travelling throughout the UK shouldn’t need to be a worry, as long as you plan in advance you can make sure your journey runs smoothly. If travelling by rail, you can book assistance at your required station to ensure you have a smooth embark and disembark from the train. Make sure this is booked at least 24 hours in advance. Also remember if you have a Disabled Persons Railcard you and your companion can get a third off rail fares in Great Britain.
If travelling by car, find out in advance if there is suitable disabled parking spaces available at your destination. This can avoid stress and worry when you arrive.
Medication
As always be prepared and ensure you have plenty of medication to see you through your trip. If medication is not available before you travel, with a valid prescription you will be able to visit any pharmacy throughout the UK while you are on holiday too.
Insurance
Sometimes things happen which are beyond your control and you may require to cancel your holiday or worse need medical care while you are away from home. Make sure you have sufficient insurance to cover your full holiday costs to ensure you won’t be left out of pocket if the worst does happen.
Do your research
Find out before you travel what bars and restaurants meet your accessibility requirements. Do they have ground floor facilities, does the bar have a hearing loop, or things like will there be enough space to manoeuvre your wheelchair inside the venue. These can all help plan a stress-free itinerary for your holiday. You can then be confident that you will have no worries while you are on holiday.
If you need any special aids or equipment for your holiday that the attractions or property are not able to provide you can hire a vast number of mobility equipment items through Tourism For All, including hoists, mobility scooters and standing aids. You can view the Tourism For All website for more information.