Finding sensory friendly places to visit this summer can take lots of research and time.

It often involves looking for venues and activities that provide a supportive and sensory-friendly environment that accommodates individuals with additional needs.

This could include relaxed screenings, chill-out zones and sensory grab bags for use during your visit.

With the summer holidays in full swing, we’ve done some research and put together ideas for sensory friendly places to visit this summer, to help you have a great time!

Zoos

Zoo's can be a fantastic day out for the whole family.

Did you know that lots of zoo's now have improved accessibility that goes beyond wheelchair access and disabled toilets?

Take Twycross Zoo for example, based in Leicestershire - they offer sensory grab bags that can be 'loaned' for the duration of your visit.

London Zoo have a fantastic guide to accessibility and queue hopper passes for those who find queuing difficult.

Edinburgh Zoo and West Midlands Safari Park like many others, offer free admission to carers.

National Trust

There are over 500 National Trust places you can visit throughout the UK.

The National Trust are continually developing improvements for accessibility which are creative and sensitive to their surroundings.

They have an access guide which gives helpful information about the accessibility of each site all in one friendly document.

Visitors can also bring up to 2 free carers or companions with them.

Selected National Trust parks such as Trengwainton Gardens and Belton House now provide sensory resources such as ear defenders and fidget toys.

These can be either loaned or purchased during your visit.

Theme Parks

Merlin attractions such as Alton Towers, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures & Thorpe Park, offer free of charge ride access passes for guests with additional needs.

Alton Towers offer a small numbers of ear defenders for children and adults that can be hired on the day.

Companion Stairlifts have put together a fantastic guide for accessibility to the best UK theme parks.

The Drayton Manor Resort have partnered with Nimbus Access Card to help guests apply for an Essential Companion Ticket and Easy Access Service.

Libraries & Sensory Rooms

Did you know that some libraries throughout the UK have sensory rooms and spaces available for visitors with additional needs?

Access can be pre-booked via their website and in person (check with your local library for details).

This can give access to equipment such as interactive sensory lighting, bubble tubes and tactile play mats, designed to relax and calm.

Companies such as Sensory Room Hereford and Castaway Play have different sensory rooms available to visit and hire.

These help to calm, focus and comfort children and adults with a range of conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensory Groups

The National Autistic Society run a series of social groups for children, young people and adults.

Charities such as Kids offer groups for parents/carers and their children to meet other families, make friends, share experiences and have fun!

The Sensory Trust have a range of regular activity groups.

Get involved in sensory, nature-based opportunities for fun, learning and socialisation of young people with disabilities and their families.

From activities for families to enjoy at home to family-friendly options for venues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinemas

Most cinemas now offer specially-adapted or relaxed screenings for guests with autism, sensory difficulties and learning impairments.

During these screenings the house lights are usually left on throughout the duration of the film.

The audio volume is reduced and the doors are open earlier to allow guests to familiarise themselves with the surroundings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sports Venues

Major sports venues throughout the UK are making huge strides to improve accessibility and inclusiveness.

Football clubs such as QPR have dedicated sensory rooms available to guests to watch games in a sensory-friendly environment.

They also have resources such as ear defenders for guests to use around the stadium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explore The Outdoors

Who said that going out needed to cost anything? Exploring the great outdoors offers many benefits to your physical and mental wellbeing.

Taking in the sights, sounds and smells around you provides many sensory benefits.

With so many beautiful gardens, parks and countryside walks to explore, having fun days out can be right on your doorstep.

Why not pack a picnic, grab your favourite sensory resources and get exploring the world around you?

Need inspiration for your sensory bag? Check out our NEW Sensory Grab bags, ideal for out and about.

For something different, you could try exploring the outdoors on wheels!

Charlottes Tandems lend free of charge tandems and tag-alongs to people with disabilities and additional needs, so that they can enjoy the wonders of cycling.

Collection sites are available throughout the UK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theatres

Throughout the UK selected theatres now offer relaxed performances across many shows. During these performances the rules are relaxed and lighting is adapted.

Audiences can get up, move, speak and enjoy the performances in a more sensory friendly environment.

The National Theatre have an access scheme you can sign up to.

The subscriber can then receive the latest information about access performances, book tickets and receive adjusted seat prices.

Official London Theatre provide information on relaxed performances across theatres in London.

AGT Tickets provide a list of upcoming relaxed performances throughout the UK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shopping Centres

Whilst we all dread the 'back to school' shopping, there are some companies that aim to make the experience a little bit easier.

Larger shopping centres such as Westfield offer sensory bags for guests to borrow during their shopping trip, to reduce anxiety, stress and uncomfortable situations.

Certain supermarkets such as Tesco offer 'sensory borrow bags' for the duration of your shopping trip and fantastic also have an autism friendly visual shopping guide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunflower Lanyards

Wearing a Sunflower Lanyard when out and about can help encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding.

The sunflower lanyards are a simple tool for you to share that you have a hidden disability voluntarily.

Simply by wearing the Sunflower, you’re just letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.

Get your sunflower lanyard from the Hidden Disabilities store.

There are also many places you can get a lanyard for free.

These include Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Argos, and most UK airports. Some universities offer them to students free of charge.

Ideas & Inspiration

Need some inspiration for products that can be taken out and about?

We've got a great range of sensory resources in our Out and About section.

These include communication fans, full adjustable ear defenders, clothing, wipe clean weighted lap pads and more!

We'd love to hear from you!

If you have any other ideas or suggestions of sensory friendly places to visit we'd love to hear from you!

Visit our Facebook or Instagram pages and share your ideas with our followers!

Important to note

For the most up to date information on accessibility and sensory resources available, we recommend contacting each venue prior to your visit.