Travel as a wheelchair user can be challenging, but with some forward planning and a splash of confidence, it is possible to find suitable wheelchair friendly holidays around the UK. Here we share some useful tips for finding good wheelchair accessible hotels and other accommodation. We also recommend some of our favourite spots in England and Wales for less-stress wheelchair friendly breaks.
Accommodation features to look for
Some of the things you’ll need when travelling as a wheelchair user are obvious – step-free access from the street and doors wide enough for your wheelchair to ease effortlessly through – but there are some other considerations that may not spring so readily to mind. Accessible holiday experts recommend looking out for the following:
- proximity to amenities: accommodation close to local amenities such as restaurants, pubs and convenience stores can make your stay that little bit easier.
- nearby healthcare facilities: if you’re at everyday risk of health complications it’s sensible to situate yourself close to a hospital or walk-in centre. Knowing that accessible healthcare is close at hand can give you peace of mind when away.
- local travel connections: if you’re driving be sure to choose accommodation with parking with blue badge or reservable spaces. Taking public transport? Pick a hotel close to a step-free train station or bus stop. Alternatively, find out if your chosen hotel has a relationship with a wheelchair friendly taxi service.
- wider corridors: be sure that any area you might need within accommodation is accessible to you – this can be especially important to check when hiring a holiday cottage where you’ll want access to more than just your bedroom.
- ground floor rooms: look for a ground floor accessible room or, if your room is accessed by lift, be sure a reliable escape route is available to you.
- roll-in shower: as you’ll no doubt have discovered by now, ‘accessible’ can mean anything when it comes to bathrooms. Ideally you’ll look for disabled holiday accommodation with wet room facilities that include a roll-in shower, secure shower seat and grab rails.
- easy-reach switches, sockets and storage: in-room switches and sockets that can be reached without effort and storage at wheelchair level will make your visit a whole lot easier.
Disabled holidays – how to make sure accommodation is right
Whether it’s the owner of a small bed and breakfast or the staff of a large chain hotel, usually the people you’ll encounter when booking into holiday accommodation won’t see their accommodation through the eyes of a disabled visitor. That’s why it’s always sensible to double down on your pre-trip research in the following ways:
Check access statements
Most places open to the public – including holiday accommodation – will have an access statement. This gives you detailed information about a building’s accessibility. Done right, this access statement will tell you everything you need to know about your stay, right down to the type of flooring you’ll encounter, the direction in which doors open and which side toilet transfer you’ll find in the bathroom.
Read reviews and get recommendations
Don’t rely on the glossy marketing bumf on a hotel’s website. Pay a visit to TripAdvisor and check out Google reviews for honest summaries of visits made by other disabled visitors. Seeking out blogs written by wheelchair travellers is a great idea too. Not only are these full of tips for travel, posts and comment sections may also contain recommendations for good disabled friendly hotels.
Ask for photos and measurements
Don’t be afraid to call a hotel or holiday cottage owner for more information, photos of facilities or measurements. A picture of the room you’re booking might tell you what the transfer from chair to bed is like, while measurements of corridors could tell you whether you’ll be able to easily manoeuvre into and out of your room.
Book by phone
Don’t rely on a web booking. Calling in your reservation allows you to ensure you get the very best room available to meet your needs. Be sure to request written confirmation of your accessible room booking and the adjustments staff offer to make so you’re covered if anything goes wrong.
Confirm before you leave
Another call to your accommodation provider the day before arrival allows you to check you’re booked into the correct room. This is also an opportunity to make arrangements like a reserved parking spot and help carrying luggage to your room as well as a reminder to staff to move furniture or get ramps ready.
The best type of accommodation for wheelchair users
When travelling in the UK, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation types. So what are your options and which makes for the best disabled holiday accommodation?
Hotels
Choosing a hotel is often an easier option for wheelchair travellers. Most large hotels will have dealt with disabled guests in the past and will have an idea of the kind of assistance you might need. Hotels with a 24 hour reception mean that there’s someone on hand for help at any time day or night too.
Bed and breakfasts
Run by local people who live on-site, a bed and breakfast is great for local recommendations and personalised service with owners who often go above and beyond to accommodate you. However, usually much smaller in size, a B&B can be challenging in terms of accessibility with a kind owner’s eagerness to help sometimes outweighing their ability to do so.
Holiday cottages
When travelling with friends or family who can provide practical assistance where you need it, a private rental can be a great choice. This gives you space and privacy without other guests to consider. On the flip side, owners of this type of accommodation often live some distance away making it hard to deal with any issues should they arise.
Hostels
Hostels may be last on your list when planning disabled friendly holidays but don’t discount them. With spacious rooms intended for sharing and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, YHA hostels are open to all travellers of any age. Each hostel has a detailed access statement and wherever possible, buildings are adapted for disabled visitors. Significantly cheaper than other accommodation types, hostels are often located in rural areas where hotels don’t exist or centrally in towns and cities where hotels can be prohibitively expensive.
Wheelchair friendly YHA hostels
Does a YHA stay take your fancy? With spacious bedrooms for wheelchair users, good bathroom facilities and friendly staff ready to help make your stay stress-free, these are some of our favourite locations for wheelchair accessible holidays:
Bath, Southwest England
Beautiful Bath is a must-visit for UK travellers, with spectacular historical sights and a great food and drink scene. An affordable accessible stay can be enjoyed at the stunning YHA Bath where our modern annex offers a large, laminate-floored, wheelchair accessible room with a spacious en-suite where you’ll find grab rails, a shower seat and lever taps.
Northumberland
With stunning beaches, historic castles and a large national park with wheelchair accessible trails, it’s no wonder Northumberland is up-and-coming on the travel scene. Located at the Sill discovery centre, YHA The Sill at Hadrian’s Wall is the perfect base from which to explore everything the area has to offer. In addition to several spacious en-suite rooms, this hostel offers one dedicated accessible room with four beds and a roll-in shower with seat and grab rails.
Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire
A seaside holiday doesn’t have to be out of reach for wheelchair users. Wales’s Pembrokeshire has a wealth of accessible beaches with glorious yellow sand, clear blue seas and the chance to spot whales, dolphins and puffins.
At YHA Broad Haven, seaside-suitable wheelchairs can be hired for easier access to Broad Haven beach, just moments from its front door. In addition to accessible rooms, this hostel has thoughtful additions like low-level self-catering facilities and a lowered reception desk.
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Easy to reach from Edinburgh and Newcastle alike, Berwick is at the heart of the Borders, ideal for exploring both England and Scotland. Modern and friendly, YHA Berwick is situated less than a mile from the local train station and offers two large accessible rooms with en-suites situated in a private lodge annex as well as a restaurant and accessible art gallery hosting exhibitions by prestigious artists.
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