Accessible Christmas days out in the UK

Christmas can be a magical time of the year. The streets are lit up with beautiful lights and people are in good spirits, attending Christmas events and spending time with their loved ones. Everywhere seems so much busier, but for those with a disability, or have mobility problems, it can be difficult to go out and about to enjoy the festive cheer.

For example, as so many people are around, it can make parking impossible and attending a Christmas event or gathering that does not have wheelchair access or any disabled facilities makes socialising over the festive period difficult. However, we have discovered some great Christmas events across the UK that have easy accessibility and facilities available to ensure that everyone can enjoy them, regardless of their mobility.

Frankfurt Christmas Market is a true delight to visit. It is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and is open daily from 10 am until 9 pm until the 24th of December. Situated in Victoria Square and leading down onto New Street, this market attracts visitors from all over Europe. The market offers a huge range of authentic German food, drinks, gifts, handmade crafts and apparel. Live music is also played in the square at certain times throughout the day and evening. And the good news is, this amazing Christmas market is accessible to visitors with mobility problems.

There is ample blue badge holder parking available, and all the car parks are very close to the market, other than the car park on Navigation Street, which has no lift and steps. For a full list of parking places close to the market, please click here.

The entire market is completely accessible for wheelchair users as there is a route around the market that avoids all of the steps. Accessible toilet facilities are also available in the market and are located in the area adjacent to the stage in Victoria square. For full details about the Birmingham Frankfurt Market, visit this page.

No Christmas is complete without a pantomime, and Pantoland, starring Dawn French and Julian Clary at the London Palladium, sounds like some real fun. The panto is running from the fourth of December until the end of January and is already proving very popular.

The London Palladium has also worked very hard over the years to ensure the theatre has great accessibility for all patrons and you can book access and personal assistant tickets at access@lwtheatres.co.uk too. Just make sure to include the name of the show you are wanting to see in the email. For tickets and more information on Pantoland, visit this link.

Visitors can be dropped off by car at the level access door, which is to the left of the main entrance on Argyll Street. Disabled Badge holders can also park at the back of the Palladium in Ramillies Place. The access level ramp to the stalls seating area is also at the level access door located on Argyll Street and there are attendants to help with the doors and dedicated access hosts to help patrons get to their seats.

Inside the theatre, there are two accessible toilets at either end of the Palladium. The Variety bar and the Val Parnell bar are both fully accessible via the level access door or the lift. Assistance dogs are also welcome and the Palladium offers Infra-Red audio enhancement systems for deaf or hearing-impaired visitors, which are available at the cloakroom located in the main foyer. For a full and comprehensive list of all the accessible services on offer at the Palladium, click here.

If you enjoy Christmas trees and Christmas lights, then it is well worth visiting the Christmas Tree Wonderland, which is held in Bournemouth, a seaside town in Dorset. The event runs until the second of January and is situated throughout Bournemouth’s streets and gardens. The main centrepiece is a 60ft walk through Christmas trees and other themed trees from around the world. There are 100 Christmas illuminations in total, as well as an open-air ice-skating rink, a Christmas market an Alpine outdoor bar and street entertainment. You can find out more here.

There is lots of parking around for blue badge holders and many nearby car parks have access ramps and lifts. Parking is also free during the event at these car parks: Richmond Gardens, Eden Glen Central, Richmond Hill, Winter Garden, Braidley Road Bridge, West Hill, Town Hall Forecourt, Town Hall Extension, Town Hall Annexe and Avenue Road. The entire Christmas Tree Wonderland trail is wheelchair friendly and there are four disabled toilets located on the site. It is also possible to hire mobility scooters, should you wish, and first aiders will also be on site.

Now you know where you can enjoy a Christmas day out without having to worry if they are accessible or not, all you have to do is decide which event you will visit first.