Holidays in Britain
Tourism for All is the leading charity for accessible holidays. With links to Visit England, Visit Scotland and Visit Wales, the information on individual attractions and accommodation is very detailed and provides an excellent starting point to plan a break in Britain.
National Express coach travel in the UK
There is a disabled persons helpline which is open from 9am to 5pm 7 days a week: call 03717 81 81 81. On the coaches, wheelchairs and mobility scooters up to 20kgs can be carried in the luggage compartment, but please note that staff are not able to dismantle or assemble these. For full details, read more.
Black cabs in London
It is a little known fact perhaps that all London black cabs are wheelchair accessible, and taxi drivers are generally helpful with assisting.
National Parks in the UK
Visiting one of the many National Parks is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and the best of British countryside and scenery. Read good information for all the parks.
Holidays with care
If you require care and support whilst taking a break, our recommended partner companies will provide peace of mind.
Holidays Overseas
It sounds obvious but always ensure you have discussed your individual mobility and medical circumstances with the tour operator, airline and accommodation provider. And we recommend that you provide all details in writing too. Make sure that you are careful to specify if something is essential for your holiday rather than a request which cannot be guaranteed. The ABTA checklist will help you have the information needed.
Overseas holidays you can rely on
One of the Silver Travel Advisor recommended partners is Enable Holidays who are specialists in this field, and audit all the hotels they use for suitability for those in wheelchairs, slow walkers and people with limited mobility. They can offer help with adapted airport transfers too.
Travelling with a wheelchair
One of our Silver Travel Advisor members has recommended that you take a certificate of compliance for any motor batteries, and request the wheelchair to be available in transit if you are making complex, connecting air journeys. In the event that small repairs to the wheelchair need to be made whilst away, it is worth contacting a local hospital who may be able to help. A very good tip is to pack a door wedge, which can help make life easier especially in bathrooms or inter-connecting hotel rooms.
The Blue Badge Scheme in Europe and beyond
It’s useful to know that reciprocal arrangements exist across Europe for the disabled Blue Badge parking scheme, and we recommend that you check the FIA guide for more information.
For those with visual impairment
Traveleyes are a group holiday provider with a difference! Half the group are visually impaired, and the other half are sighted. The sighted travellers guide and describe the world for a different blind traveller each day, and in return, the sighted travellers receive a discount on the cost of their holiday.
For questions to ask before you book your holiday, read on.
Holiday activities for those with reduced mobility and visual or hearing impairment, details here.
Disabled Persons’ Railcard
This is available to anyone who is qualified as disabled (and the wearing of hearing aids is regarded as qualifying). The annual cost is £20 for a railcard which gives the holder (and any travelling companion) one third off most rail fares, includes three-month free membership of ‘tastecard’ which gives 50% off just the food in over 1000s of restaurants. The railcard also entitles the owner to special offers with various partners. The website also details the assistance available to disabled train travellers and how to avail themselves of such assistance.
If you have any further queries or need any assistance, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
The information given is by way of suggestion only. It is correct, to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions on our part.
You may also find interesting:
- Questions to ask as a limited mobility traveller
- Air, Rail, Coach and Taxi services for limited mobility and accessibility requirements
- Specialist companies for those with limited mobility or accessibility requirements
- Companies and Properties around the UK which offer accessible accommodation
- Suggestions for activities for those with limited mobility or disabilities
- Useful travel sites for dementia, dialysis, oxygen, carers and general information
