There are some great accessible locations across Northern Ireland that the whole family can enjoy.There are some great accessible locations across Northern Ireland that the whole family can enjoy.
There are some great accessible locations across Northern Ireland that the whole family can enjoy.

The ultimate guide to 35 disability friendly spots worth visiting in Northern Ireland

By Deirdre MacMahon
Published 17th May 2023, 18:01 GMT
Families with disabilities can often feel left out due to the lack of accessibility, making them unable to enjoy the wide range of activities and locations that Northern Ireland has to offer.

However, there are lots of great places that house facilities which enable everyone to access the premises, removing the worry that locations won’t be suitable.

From locations of fabulous natural beauty to adrenaline-pumping activity spots, there are a wide variety of places to visit that accommodate everyone.

For beach spots throughout the country, The Mae Murray Foundation seeks to change the lack of accessibility, with the Larne-based charity working with beaches to add disability-friendly facilities through fundraising.

Here are some of the best disability friendly locations that are definitely worth visiting across Northern Ireland.

Additional reporting by Maisie Laughton

There are some great accessible locations across Northern Ireland that the whole family can enjoy.

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There are some great accessible locations across Northern Ireland that the whole family can enjoy. Photo: unsplash

Explore one of Northern Ireland's unique attractions, The Giant’s Causeway, thanks to its accessible toilets and wheelchair friendly paths. Made up of 40,000 basal basal columns that evolved after a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, visitors can revel in the opportunity to explore Ireland’s only UNESCO world heritage site. The Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Centre is located by the Giant Causeway and is fully accessible, with level access to the food outlet and shop as well as ramped access to the building, and designated accessible parking spots. One of their trails known as the Green Trail is also fully accessible, providing a 2 mile cliff top which is compliant with the disability act and is suitable for those with mobility concerns. Features include an accessible picnic area and stunning views of Scotland and the Irish peninsula, as well as glimpses of dolphins and porpoises as they are swimming around the bay.

. Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Centre - 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills

Explore one of Northern Ireland's unique attractions, The Giant’s Causeway, thanks to its accessible toilets and wheelchair friendly paths. Made up of 40,000 basal basal columns that evolved after a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, visitors can revel in the opportunity to explore Ireland’s only UNESCO world heritage site. The Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Centre is located by the Giant Causeway and is fully accessible, with level access to the food outlet and shop as well as ramped access to the building, and designated accessible parking spots. One of their trails known as the Green Trail is also fully accessible, providing a 2 mile cliff top which is compliant with the disability act and is suitable for those with mobility concerns. Features include an accessible picnic area and stunning views of Scotland and the Irish peninsula, as well as glimpses of dolphins and porpoises as they are swimming around the bay. Photo: Giants Causeway Visitor Centre website

Tower Centre shopping centre offers 50 different stores for you to choose from, including big-name brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Primark, Holland and Barrett and more. There are also food and drink options, including Costa Coffee, and Burger King, for any hungry mouths that want to grab a bite to eat whilst they’re out shopping. Tower Centre Shopping Centre provides a changing facility on site, meaning that no family member has to miss out on a trip out.

. Tower Centre Shopping Centre - Wellington Street, Ballymena

Tower Centre shopping centre offers 50 different stores for you to choose from, including big-name brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Primark, Holland and Barrett and more. There are also food and drink options, including Costa Coffee, and Burger King, for any hungry mouths that want to grab a bite to eat whilst they’re out shopping. Tower Centre Shopping Centre provides a changing facility on site, meaning that no family member has to miss out on a trip out. Photo: Tower Centre Shopping Centre website

Previously known as Barry’s amusement park, Curry’s Fun Park is located in the centre of Portrush. This is a popular fun park that offers many different rides and amusements for all the family to enjoy, with food and drink also on site. They now also provide a changing places facility on site, so all of the family can enjoy a fun trip out. Additionally, a changing places facility can also be found at Portrush train station, and you have the option to access this before or after your trip out.

. Curry's Fun Park - 16 Eglinton Street, Portrush

Previously known as Barry’s amusement park, Curry’s Fun Park is located in the centre of Portrush. This is a popular fun park that offers many different rides and amusements for all the family to enjoy, with food and drink also on site. They now also provide a changing places facility on site, so all of the family can enjoy a fun trip out. Additionally, a changing places facility can also be found at Portrush train station, and you have the option to access this before or after your trip out. Photo: Curry's Fun Park via Facebook

High Rise is an inclusive and accessible indoor adventure centre for all the family to enjoy in Lisburn. It is a social enterprise and support parents to get into work and to stay in work. Activities located here include soft play, a Clip and Climb indoor climbing arena, sensory rooms for family members with additional sensory needs, a cafe and an accessible changing places toilet. The centre is dedicated to making the centre both inclusive and accessible for all, and they have a sensory coordinator who is available to work with families visiting the centre, to ensure that all family members get the very most out of their visit.

. High Rise Indoor Activity Centre - Blaris Industrial Estate, 11A Altona Road, Lisburn

High Rise is an inclusive and accessible indoor adventure centre for all the family to enjoy in Lisburn. It is a social enterprise and support parents to get into work and to stay in work. Activities located here include soft play, a Clip and Climb indoor climbing arena, sensory rooms for family members with additional sensory needs, a cafe and an accessible changing places toilet. The centre is dedicated to making the centre both inclusive and accessible for all, and they have a sensory coordinator who is available to work with families visiting the centre, to ensure that all family members get the very most out of their visit. Photo: Visit Belfast website

The Island Hall in Lisburn is Lagan Valley Island’s biggest performance space. A variety of different events take place here such as musical performances, dance shows, and comedy nights, and big bands and choirs also hold their events here. There is a changing places facility on site meaning that all visitors are welcome to enjoy this stunning space, and they are committed to providing an outstanding model of both fully inclusive and accessible customer service. There is also a number of disabled parking spaces on site, and a disabled access lift, as well as being signed up to the buddy card scheme, which is a scheme that makes it easier for disabled individuals to visit public spaces. Their buddy or helper gets free access to events under this scheme, meaning that a day out is cheaper.

. Lagan Valley Island - 1 The Island, Lisburn

The Island Hall in Lisburn is Lagan Valley Island’s biggest performance space. A variety of different events take place here such as musical performances, dance shows, and comedy nights, and big bands and choirs also hold their events here. There is a changing places facility on site meaning that all visitors are welcome to enjoy this stunning space, and they are committed to providing an outstanding model of both fully inclusive and accessible customer service. There is also a number of disabled parking spaces on site, and a disabled access lift, as well as being signed up to the buddy card scheme, which is a scheme that makes it easier for disabled individuals to visit public spaces. Their buddy or helper gets free access to events under this scheme, meaning that a day out is cheaper. Photo: Lagan Valley Island website

This fantastic leisure centre is designed so that absolutely everyone can enjoy physical activities. Housing two swimming pools and a relaxation suite, which includes a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, as well as over 35 classes a week and a soft play area, there is something that everyone can enjoy. As well as their changing places facility, there are accessible ways of using all facilities, with helpful members of staff on hand to aid you and your family whenever needed.

. Orchard Leisure Centre - 37-39 Folly Lane, Armagh

This fantastic leisure centre is designed so that absolutely everyone can enjoy physical activities. Housing two swimming pools and a relaxation suite, which includes a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, as well as over 35 classes a week and a soft play area, there is something that everyone can enjoy. As well as their changing places facility, there are accessible ways of using all facilities, with helpful members of staff on hand to aid you and your family whenever needed. Photo: Get Active ABC

This park has recently undergone a significant refurbishment after securing £5.5 million of funding, regenerating a green space into a park for absolutely everyone to enjoy. The state of the art play park offers something different than most parks, catering not just to small children but also to teenagers. There is also a new pond area that features biodiversity. It also features an Amphitheatre and themed gardens. Visitors will be pleased to know there is a changing facility and disabled toilet available on site.

. Portadown People’s Park - Portadown

This park has recently undergone a significant refurbishment after securing £5.5 million of funding, regenerating a green space into a park for absolutely everyone to enjoy. The state of the art play park offers something different than most parks, catering not just to small children but also to teenagers. There is also a new pond area that features biodiversity. It also features an Amphitheatre and themed gardens. Visitors will be pleased to know there is a changing facility and disabled toilet available on site. Photo: Unsplash

Formerly known as Central Station, Lanyon Place station makes up one of four train stations serving the citizens of Belfast and beyond. All Translink trains are accessible to wheelchair users via a ramp and also have toilet facilities on board that are wheelchair friendly. However, if an individual requires a changing places facility, there is now one provided in the train station. The station now also has a changing places facility and a lift for wheelchair users who cannot make their way up the flights of stairs inside. It is also worth noting that Translink offers half-price concession travel for individuals with medical conditions and disabilities aged 16-64 years old who meet a certain criteria.

. Lanyon Place Train Station - East Bridge Street, Belfast

Formerly known as Central Station, Lanyon Place station makes up one of four train stations serving the citizens of Belfast and beyond. All Translink trains are accessible to wheelchair users via a ramp and also have toilet facilities on board that are wheelchair friendly. However, if an individual requires a changing places facility, there is now one provided in the train station. The station now also has a changing places facility and a lift for wheelchair users who cannot make their way up the flights of stairs inside. It is also worth noting that Translink offers half-price concession travel for individuals with medical conditions and disabilities aged 16-64 years old who meet a certain criteria. Photo: Visit Belfast website

Belfast Zoo is a 55-acre visitor attraction close to Cave Hill owned by Belfast City Council and has been a long-time family favourite since it opened in 1934. A perfect spot to visit if you or a family member has a disability, there are a variety of accessible points to be taken advantage of on-site. In 2020 a changing places facility was introduced, with wheelchair and mobility scooters also being made available to hire for anyone who needs them. Whilst some walks throughout the zoo are on a steep gradient, these are clearly marked on the map to help you plan your visit, and you can utilise the Zoo Mobile which can carry one wheelchair user and four non-wheelchair users to wherever you would like to go. Visitors with Autistic Spectrum Disorder can avail of a visual guide that has been developed to walk you through what to expect when you visit the Zoo, which can be accessed by emailing them before your visit.

. Belfast Zoo - Antrim Road, Belfast

Belfast Zoo is a 55-acre visitor attraction close to Cave Hill owned by Belfast City Council and has been a long-time family favourite since it opened in 1934. A perfect spot to visit if you or a family member has a disability, there are a variety of accessible points to be taken advantage of on-site. In 2020 a changing places facility was introduced, with wheelchair and mobility scooters also being made available to hire for anyone who needs them. Whilst some walks throughout the zoo are on a steep gradient, these are clearly marked on the map to help you plan your visit, and you can utilise the Zoo Mobile which can carry one wheelchair user and four non-wheelchair users to wherever you would like to go. Visitors with Autistic Spectrum Disorder can avail of a visual guide that has been developed to walk you through what to expect when you visit the Zoo, which can be accessed by emailing them before your visit. Photo: Visit Belfast website

Victoria Square Shopping Centre opened in 2008 and has been an asset to Belfast city centre ever since. If you want to go shopping during your spare time, watch a film or go out for a bite to eat, Victoria Square has you covered. Staff are trained to high standards in order to support those with accessibility requirements, and aim to help visitors any way they can. There is also complimentary wheelchair hire available and over 6% of car parking spaces are dedicated to blue badge holders, with these spaces conveniently located closest to the doors leading to the shopping centre. The centre’s changing places facility is located on level B2, on level 2 of the carpark and is close to accessible parking spaces

. Victoria Square Shopping Centre - 1 Victoria Square, Belfast

Victoria Square Shopping Centre opened in 2008 and has been an asset to Belfast city centre ever since. If you want to go shopping during your spare time, watch a film or go out for a bite to eat, Victoria Square has you covered. Staff are trained to high standards in order to support those with accessibility requirements, and aim to help visitors any way they can. There is also complimentary wheelchair hire available and over 6% of car parking spaces are dedicated to blue badge holders, with these spaces conveniently located closest to the doors leading to the shopping centre. The centre’s changing places facility is located on level B2, on level 2 of the carpark and is close to accessible parking spaces Photo: Visit Belfast website

Victoria Square is not the only option for visitors who would like to go shopping and not exclude any family members. Castlecourt shopping centre opened in Belfast City Centre in 1990 and has been a popular destination for Belfast residents and those further afield ever since. It comprises of 77 retail units and is conveniently located close to the city hall, boasting a delicious food court for anyone who needs a sit-down or wants some food after shopping. CastleCourt was also the first in Belfast to install a changing places facility, adding the feature back in 2017; it is located on the first floor near Argos, with lifts available at different points in the centre.

. Castlecourt Shopping Centre - Royal Avenue, Belfast

Victoria Square is not the only option for visitors who would like to go shopping and not exclude any family members. Castlecourt shopping centre opened in Belfast City Centre in 1990 and has been a popular destination for Belfast residents and those further afield ever since. It comprises of 77 retail units and is conveniently located close to the city hall, boasting a delicious food court for anyone who needs a sit-down or wants some food after shopping. CastleCourt was also the first in Belfast to install a changing places facility, adding the feature back in 2017; it is located on the first floor near Argos, with lifts available at different points in the centre. Photo: Visit Belfast website

Divis and Black Mountain is located at the heart of the Belfast Hills and offers spectacular and panoramic views of the Belfast area and beyond. It additionally offers an accessible shuttle bus in conjunction with Translink that runs daily, as well as a changing places facility close to it and a further accessible toilet in Long Barn. The site also has an accessible trail, known as the Lough trail, which is a gentle circular route on a wide path where you can see the Sperrins and further afield on a clear day.

. Divis and Black Mountain - Divis Road, Hannahstown

Divis and Black Mountain is located at the heart of the Belfast Hills and offers spectacular and panoramic views of the Belfast area and beyond. It additionally offers an accessible shuttle bus in conjunction with Translink that runs daily, as well as a changing places facility close to it and a further accessible toilet in Long Barn. The site also has an accessible trail, known as the Lough trail, which is a gentle circular route on a wide path where you can see the Sperrins and further afield on a clear day. Photo: DiscoverNI website

For members of the public who wish to soak up a bit of Northern Irish history in the midst of the capital city, Belfast City Hall offers all of this. The Grade A listed building was built in 1898 and is open to members of the public seven days a week, with a visitors' exhibition telling the story of Belfast’s traditions and culture. On site is Bobbins coffee shop, the titanic memorial garden, monuments as well as priceless artwork and artefacts. The Belfast City Hall is fully accessible to all with a changing places facility available and wheelchair-accessible entrances.

. Belfast City Hall - Donegall Square, Belfast

For members of the public who wish to soak up a bit of Northern Irish history in the midst of the capital city, Belfast City Hall offers all of this. The Grade A listed building was built in 1898 and is open to members of the public seven days a week, with a visitors' exhibition telling the story of Belfast’s traditions and culture. On site is Bobbins coffee shop, the titanic memorial garden, monuments as well as priceless artwork and artefacts. The Belfast City Hall is fully accessible to all with a changing places facility available and wheelchair-accessible entrances. Photo: Visit Belfast website

The Millennium Forum Theatre and Conference Centre is a modern arts and entertainment venue located in the heart of Derry city. It has a seating capacity of 1,000 and boasts the largest theatre stage in Northern Ireland. They offer an educational outreach programme for community organisations, schools, and youth groups, aiming to provide access to the arts for everyone. They also have a changing places facility on site, to ensure that every patron can access the theatre.

33. Millennium Forum Theatre and Conference Centre - 3 Newmarket Street, Derry

The Millennium Forum Theatre and Conference Centre is a modern arts and entertainment venue located in the heart of Derry city. It has a seating capacity of 1,000 and boasts the largest theatre stage in Northern Ireland. They offer an educational outreach programme for community organisations, schools, and youth groups, aiming to provide access to the arts for everyone. They also have a changing places facility on site, to ensure that every patron can access the theatre. Photo: Millennium Forum Theatre and Conference Centre website

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