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Planning Accessible Holidays

Whether you're seeking a quiet escape to unwind or a fun-filled family adventure, a plan for your trip helps make things as smooth and stress-free as possible. 

With so much to consider, planning an accessible holiday can be a daunting task, one that leaves many feeling overwhelmed and exhausted before the trip has even begun. We're passionate that everyone deserves the chance to escape the everyday and switch off from time to time, and are here to help you make the most of your holiday, starting with a fantastic plan. 

Whether you're looking to unwind, explore or play, our guide for planning an accessible holiday has got you covered, so the whole family can enjoy a wonderful experience packed with fresh air, freedom and fabulous memories. 

What counts as an accessible holiday?

An accessible holiday is more than just providing wheelchair ramps and wet rooms. While those are important aspects of creating an inclusive space, an accessible holiday covers a wide range of adaptations catering to physical, sensory, cognitive and medical needs to give everyone the chance to have an enjoyable holiday experience. 

Accessible accommodation is designed to suit a variety of needs, often including features such as ramped entryways, wider doorways, lowered work surfaces and accessible parking. We also offer accommodation to help meet sensory needs for neurodiverse guests, with features such as a sensory room, soft padded furniture, adjustable lighting and more so that everyone can have a wonderful, relaxing time on holiday. We also offer a holiday predictability pack, giving you everything you need to know at every stage of your holiday.

Accessible holidays aren't just beneficial for those with additional needs. They can also be fantastic for families with young children, older relatives, those recovering from surgery, and many more individuals. 

Working out your access needs

Before your holiday, writing down your needs is a great way to make sure you know exactly what to look for when booking your trip. Make a note of how far you can comfortably walk, whether you need step-free access throughout or only at entry, the dimensions of any wheelchairs or scooters, comfortable bed heights and the bathroom facilities you'll require (wet room, grab rails, etc.).

If you take regular medication, know what you'll need during your holiday and research how far your destination is to a pharmacy or hospital in case of emergencies. 

For neurodivergent guests, consider noise levels, lighting control, quiet spaces to retreat to, and predictability about what will happen and when. It's also useful to keep a list of safe foods, comfort items, routines and anything else that can help ensure everyone has an enjoyable trip. 

Travel and transportation

If you're driving to your destination, it's always a good idea to plan rest stops in advance to check which service stations have accessible toilets and facilities. Blue Badge parking rules differ between England and Scotland, so make sure to double-check before travelling. Blue Badges cover individuals with severe mobility issues or hidden disabilities, whether they are travelling as a driver or passenger. If you do not have a Blue Badge but feel you need one, you can apply here. 

If you opt to travel by train, you can download the Passenger Assist app, which covers the whole journey even across multiple operators and only needs two hours' notice. For more unplanned journeys, Turn Up and Go is a great option. If you're travelling by coach, contact the operator ahead of time to ask about wheelchair lifts, seating and accessible toilets. For neurodiverse guests, make sure they have access to any comfort items to make the journey as comfortable for them as possible. 

Remember to plan the last mile of your trip as this is where people most commonly run into problems. Check the route from the car park or station to the accommodation itself to be aware of the distance, gradient, surface and anything else you need to consider. 

Choosing your accessible accommodation

Choosing the right accommodation is essential for having a comfortable stay, so make sure to research all your options before booking. Consider everything from ramp access to door widths and bed heights so you can be as prepared as possible before your holiday. Remember that not every accommodation labelled as accessible will necessarily work for you and your family, so when in doubt it's always worth speaking to accommodation providers to ask any specific questions you may have. 

We offer a range of accessible accommodation across our parks in Scotland and Northern England, so you can find the ideal option for you. You can find access statements for each park here. 

 If you have any questions about our accessible accommodation, you can give us a call on 0330 053 5524 and our friendly team will be happy to help.

Wheelchair accessible accommodation

We offer wheelchair accessible accomodation across our parks, offering ramp access, spacious open-plan living areas, low-level storage, wet rooms and more for a cosy and comfortable stay, 

Explore wheelchair accessible holidays

Neuro-inclusive accommodation

Located at Riverside Holiday Park, our neuro-inclusive caravan is designed to accommodate the sensory, emotional and cognitive needs of neurodiverse guests, offering a sensory den, safe beds and much more.

Explore neuro-inclusive holidays

Settling in once you arrive

When you arrive, do a quick check on arrival to confirm the accommodation has everything you'll need for your stay. It's also a good idea to get your bearings early and locate the accessible toilets, routes to on-site facilities and available parking. It also helps neurodiverse guests establish a sense of familiarity so they can settle in sooner.

For neurodiverse guests, find out where the quiet spaces are and establish a routine early. Use any pre-visit information packs to set expectations before arrival and calm any anxiety. We have a predictability pack available for guests staying in the Neurodiverse Friendly Daisy Caravan, so you can know everything about each stage of your holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessible holidays with Verdant Parks

At Verdant Parks, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to escape the everyday, explore new places and create marvellous memories with those that matter most. We offer a range of accessible accommodation, including wheelchair accessible and neurodiverse friendly options, so everyone can have a wonderful experience when on holiday with us. 

Wheelchair accessible accommodation features wet rooms, ramp access, twin bedrooms with portable helper frames and dedicated parking so guests can enjoy a relaxing retreat. Our Neurodiverse Friendly Daisy Caravan at Riverside Holiday Park is the UK's first purpose-built neurodiverse-friendly holiday home, developed with My Safe Place and Sunseeker Holiday Homes. We also offer a predictability pack, giving you everything you need to know at every stage of your holiday for a stress-free experience. 

Registered assistance dogs are welcome in all grades of accessible accommodation at no extra charge, and our on-site bars, restaurants and entertainment venues all have flat or ramp access, so no one has to miss out on the fun. 

We try to be as inclusive as possible so that everyone can enjoy our parks, but due to the natural settings of our parks, varying terrain and inclines may not make this possible. To find which park is best suited to you, be sure to check our Access Statements before making your booking. 

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