Summer is here, and the only question worth asking is where you want to go.
If you hire a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) through Open Road Access, the vehicle comes to your door. From that point, the destination is entirely up to you. No fixed routes, no pre-booked coaches, no waiting on anyone else’s schedule.
To help you plan, here are five of the best accessible day trips in the UK this summer, each one chosen for what it offers wheelchair users specifically.
1. Norfolk — the most accessible county in England
If you have not been to Norfolk, this summer is a good reason to go. With 29 out of 31 attractions rated as accessible, Norfolk consistently ranks as one of the most wheelchair friendly counties in England. That breadth matters on a day trip, because it means you are not pinning your plans on a single venue.
Holkham Beach is one of the standout outdoor options: wide, flat, and easy to navigate. Cromer Pier and Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve are also popular with wheelchair users. For culture, Norwich Theatre Royal and Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery both have strong accessibility provisions.
The county is spread out enough that having your own vehicle makes a genuine difference. Public transport between Norfolk’s coastal spots is patchy at best. A WAV lets you move between the beach, the town, and a decent lunch stop without any of the logistics that would otherwise eat up your day.
2. Edinburgh — the most accessible city in the UK
Edinburgh has consistently topped accessibility rankings among UK cities, including for accessible dining, with nearly half of the city’s restaurants rated suitable for wheelchair users.
The historic Old Town is manageable for wheelchair users, and the city’s major attractions are well set up for accessibility. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh offers step-free access throughout, with clear signposting, free entry for carers, and mobility scooters and wheelchairs available to hire on site.
Edinburgh is a longer drive from much of England, which makes it better suited as an overnight trip than a single day out for most. But for anyone already based in central or northern Scotland, it is one of the most rewarding days you can plan.
3. London — the South Bank and the museums
London’s free museums are all wheelchair accessible and represent some of the best day out options in the city. The South Bank walk from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge is mostly flat and paved, with dropped kerbs and accessible crossings throughout.
The Royal Parks, including Hyde Park, Green Park, and St James’s Park, all have paved, level paths. Greenwich Park has accessible paths to the Royal Observatory viewpoint. Thames river cruises are among the most accessible tour options in the city, with boarding ramps at all major piers and accessible lower decks on the boats.
Driving into central London requires a bit of planning around the congestion zone and parking, but the Blue Badge scheme covers on-street disabled bays across the city. A WAV parked near the South Bank gives you a comfortable base to work outward from.
4. The Jurassic Coast — Dorset
The Jurassic Coast is one of England’s great drives, even before you get out of the vehicle. Once you are there, Lyme Regis and Swanage both have seafronts that are manageable for wheelchair users. Bude has won awards specifically for its disability-friendly beach features, including level access across the whole beach, a flat viewing area, accessible toilets, and full disabled access from the car park, with sand chairs available to hire.
The coast road itself is the experience. A WAV gives you the freedom to stop when something catches your eye, pull over at a viewpoint, and take the journey at your own pace rather than fitting around a tour schedule.
5. Arnside and the Lake District estuary
The Lake District has a reputation for being difficult terrain for wheelchair users, and some of it is. But the area around Arnside and Morecambe Bay is a different proposition entirely. The Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty sits on the edge of the Kent Estuary with flat access to the seafront and some of the most dramatic views in northern England, particularly at sunset, when the Lake District mountain range sits on the horizon beyond the water.
Accessible trails run along the estuary at Arnside, and the village itself is compact and manageable. It is not a theme park or a major attraction. It is simply a beautiful place to spend a few hours, and that is sometimes exactly what a day out should be.
One of our customers, Kyrun Jake Spraggs, stopped there on his way to Lancaster with his partner Jane and described the sunset over the estuary as a moment he will treasure forever. Read his full story: Link to post once published
Getting there
All five of these destinations are reachable by Wheel chair accessible vehicles. The vehicle is delivered to your door, insured, and includes UK-wide breakdown cover. You choose the destination, the pace, and when you come home.
Summer fills up. If you are planning a day out in the next few weeks, it is worth getting a quote sooner rather than later.
If you’re looking for wheelchair accessible vehicle hire, get a quote.
About Open Road Access
Open Road Access (ORA) provides wheelchair accessible vehicle hire across the UK, with nationwide delivery to your door. From one day to one year, our all-inclusive hire includes insurance, breakdown cover, and delivery and collection at no extra charge. There is no price difference between vehicle sizes.
.
Follow Us
- Google Map: Open Road Access
- Instagram: Openroadaccess
- Facebook: Openroadaccess
- YouTube: @OpenRoadAccess
- LinkedIn: Open-road-access
