Planning a weekend getaway with a mobility scooter can feel daunting, particularly when you rely on yours on a daily basis.
However, these days, your mobility scooter is definitely one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about, with a multitude of support services and information on hand throughout the UK, to ensure your weekend away runs smoothly.
Here, we’ve listed our best mobility scooter travel tips, from picking your destination to getting organised before you go.
Pick a Destination
The most exciting part of any weekend getaway with your mobility scooter is undoubtedly choosing the right destination. Importantly, though, you’ll want to make sure that any specific venues you plan on visiting, including hotels or rental properties, are accessible for your wheelchair or mobility scooter.
For this reason, we’d recommend considering the UK’s best and worst cities for accessibility, and working from there.
Our best suggestion for a sunny weekend is Brighton, with a wheelchair accessible beach, complete with beach wheelchairs available to borrow at no charge, a large number of accessible toilets across the city, and plenty of other activities if the weather takes a turn.
For example, there’s disabled access entrance at the SEA LIFE aquarium, perfect for visiting alone or with grandchildren, the Volk’s Electric Railway, which has accessible platforms, the Royal Pavilion and Gardens, and plenty of delicious restaurants, pubs and bars. You can search for activities and venues based on your specific needs here.
Oxford ranks 12th in terms of accessibility in the UK, and is perfect if you prefer something a little more historical, and a lot less busy. There are a number of attractions with wheelchair access, such as the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Botanic Garden, and Oxford Castle & Prison.
Similarly, Cambridge and more specifically the small town of Ely, located in Cambridgeshire, holds the overall title for accessibility in the UK. There are a large number of accessible attractions within a 50-mile radius, like Ely Cathedral, Ely Country Park and the Ely Museum, all of which have public disabled parking spaces. If you’re visiting the museum, it’s worth noting that the designated parking spot is located a short walking distance away.
For the best accessible UK attractions to visit this summer, head to London. The Science Museum, located in South Kensington, is fully wheelchair accessible, with seven floors to explore.
Mobility Insurance
Cover available for:
- Mobility Scooter
- Powered Wheelchairs
- Manual Wheelchairs
- Cabin Cars
There are plenty of other venues, too, with step-free access, like the National Gallery, where you can also book a wheelchair in advance if necessary, London Zoo, and Kew Gardens.
From London, you can also travel to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford, which offers relaxed tours for various needs, one free carer ticket per paying disabled customer, and free manual wheelchairs for visitors to borrow.
Mobility scooters are also permitted, so long as they’re no wider than 86 cm, along with electric wheelchairs.
In terms of the UK’s least accessible cities, avoid Exeter, Birmingham, Leeds, Derry and Bradford where possible.
OpenBritain is an online resource that aims to provide a simple way to find accessible destinations and places to stay in the UK. If you’re unsure of how accessible a certain area is, this is a good place to look first.
Book Accommodation
Once you’ve settled on a destination for your weekend getaway with your mobility scooter, you’ll need to find suitable accommodation.
Look for hotels, rentals and resorts with accessible rooms, and handy features like wide doors and corridors, and space to park your scooter.
All this information can usually be found by checking the booking website of the particular accommodation. If you have any questions or queries, get in touch with them directly to discuss your specific requirements.
Alternatively, websites like Booking.com allow you to filter your search based on your individual needs. AccessAble also enables you to search for accommodation, restaurants and attractions with disabled access.
Create a Checklist
Perfect holidays are all about planning, so creating a checklist of the things you will need while away will ensure that you aren’t caught out at any point.
Your packing checklist may include
- Any medication you’re currently taking
- Mobility scooter accessories and chargers
- Health and Travel Insurance documents
- Booking confirmations and contact details
- Driving license, credit cards etc
- Any other essential items you require on a daily basis
Other things you may want to consider include the type of transportation you may need, and activities you’d like to do.
Luckily, transport is easy to arrange with your mobility scooter if you don’t have your own car. All London black cabs are wheelchair accessible with ramps, and the National Express will also allow lightweight wheelchairs and mobility scooters up to 23 kg to be stored in the luggage compartment.
In terms of activities, there are many national parks to enjoy in the UK, and this Access for All page on their website will guide you through all the national parks with accessible routes, for you to enjoy with a wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Enjoy Your Trip!
Once you’re planned, booked, and ready to go, all that’s left for you to do is enjoy your weekend getaway with your mobility scooter! Armed with these mobility scooter travel tips, we’re sure you’ll have a wonderful trip.
Remember to keep your scooter charged, familiarise yourself with local rules regarding mobility scooter usage, and, most importantly, relax!
Useful Links
OpenBritain is an online resource that aims to provide a simple way to find accessible destinations and places to stay in the UK. If you’re unsure of how accessible a certain area is, this is a good place to look first.
Transport is easy to arrange with your mobility scooter if you don’t have your own car. All London black cabs are wheelchair accessible with ramps, and the National Express will also have lightweight wheelchairs and mobility scooters up to 23kg to be stored in the luggage compartment.
There are many national parks to enjoy in the UK, and this Access for All page on their website will guide you through all the national parks with accessible routes for you to enjoy with a wheelchair or mobility scooter.
