The Motability Scheme's Rough Guide to Accessible Britain returns for its 10th edition offering more than 200 ideas for accessible days out – and a variety of great spots in Northern Ireland are included.
The free guide, ideal for disabled people and their friends, families or carers, provides inspiration for unforgettable summer adventures. For over a decade, this series has been an invaluable resource for planning accessible outings, particularly for those with disabled children or family members with additional needs.
Taking the guesswork out of travel, the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is designed to help users to easily find destinations based on their interests, location, and accessibility needs. Every review has been written by an expert who has lived experience of disabilities and travelling with additional access needs. Readers will not only find detailed information on the physical accessible facilities such as parking but also services such as dedicated tours for neurodivergent individuals, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, relevant discounts for visitors and carers, sensory rooms, and much more.
A free copy of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain can be accessed at motability.co.uk/accessibleguide
Here are some of the reviewed venues in Northern Ireland that are leading the way in inclusive experiences.
5. Ulster Folk Museum and Ulster Transport Museum, Cultra
Step back in time at the Ulster Folk Museum and Ulster Transport Museum, both offering accessible experiences. Explore extensive transport collections and interactive exhibits at the Transport Museum, with ramped access and subtitled videos. The Folk Museum, meanwhile, is a largely outdoor venue. It lends itself to leisurely strolls through trees and flowerbeds, which make it peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable. A number of employees at both museums have autism-awareness, JAM and dementia-friendly training, as well as being able to tailor tours for blind and visually impaired people, while carers go free Photo: Donal Moloney / Tourism Northern Ireland
6. Belfast Zoo
Belfast Zoo is home to some 110 species of animal – the exotic, the rare and the endangered. Hear the lions roar and see the flamingos dance as you make your way around this beautifully located zoo, with stunning hilltop views over Belfast. Navigate the zoo with ease using their wheelchair-accessible Zoo-mobile service. Benefit from their commitment to inclusivity, with staff trained in disability awareness and offering audio tours and a SignVideo service for BSL users. Photo: unsplash
7. Titanic Belfast
Step back to eighteenth-century Belfast and learn about its proud tradition of shipbuilding at the world-famous Harland and Wolff shipyard – the birthplace of RMS Titanic. With nine galleries of interactive exhibition space housed inside a building clad with three thousand sheets of silver-anodised aluminium, the iconic Titanic Belfast sits as the centrepiece of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. The building boasts accessible parking, automatic doors, hearing loops, and a BSL audio-visual guide, ensuring a seamless visit for all. Several staff members have disability, autism and dementia training, and “VIP” wristbands can be worn so that staff can identify those who may need extra assistance, such as fast-tracking through queues. Photo: Patrick Lennon for Tourism Irelamd
8. Grand Opera House, Belfast
Immerse yourself in the world of performing arts at the Grand Opera House, a beautifully restored Victorian venue. Enjoy a diverse program of shows from accessible seating areas in the Upper Circle. The theatre prioritises inclusivity with wheelchair accessibility on all levels (except The Gods), and audio-described, signed, and captioned performances. Photo: Google