A holiday within the UK can be a great way to recharge. If you use a powered wheelchair, planning a trip might take a bit more thought. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be easy, enjoyable and just the way you want it.
In this article, Shona Louise shares her top tips to take away some of the stress and questions you may have about traveling with a wheelchair in the UK.
Shona is a writer and access consultant. She is experienced in writing about disability and accessibility and has worked with well-known publishers including Metro, The Independent and DigitalSpy. She is also a theatre photographer and campaigns for greater accessibility in the arts.
- Planning your trip
- Navigating transport
- Finding accessible destinations and days out
- Research, research, research
- Holiday checklist
- Making the most of your holiday
Planning your trip
When it comes to picking a destination, there’s two different ways that I use to get started. You can either decide on a destination and then search for accommodation, or you can search for accessible places to stay and choose your destination based on availability. It all depends on what is most important to you.
It can be helpful to ask yourself questions about what you want to get out of your holiday, as well as making note of your accessibility needs.
- Do you want to relax or explore on holiday?
- Is it a beach or city holiday you want?
- Does it need to be a child friendly holiday?
- Do you want to be able to cook in your accommodation?
- How much extra space for any disability equipment do you need?
- Do you need extra beds for carers or personal assistants?
As a powered wheelchair user you’ll probably need step free access, an accessible bathroom and an accessible parking space. I find that hotels tend to be a reliable option with good accessibility. On longer holidays I prefer self-catered accommodation that has home comforts. I use websites like AirBnB, but it can take some time to find accessible properties. I start by searching to see what is available across the UK on my chosen dates. Then I can decide on a location that suits my needs based on the results.
Beyond hotels and AirBnB there are also options like accessible static caravans, cabins and campsites. You might be surprised by how many accessible options are out there now, so research all your options before settling.
Top tip: TripAdvisor has online forums dedicated to traveling as a disabled person. You can find accommodation recommendations and helpful advice there.
Navigating transport
A holiday in the UK is the perfect time to make use of your Motability Scheme vehicle. My Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) is set up for my needs which takes away the stress of having to worry about getting to and around my destination. It’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready for long journeys though. You can use our article on checks to do before you travel to get prepared. You can also get peace of mind knowing that your RAC breakdown cover is there to support you with any problems.
If you need to use public transport to travel then here’s a few key tips to make your journeys go smoothly.
Book any train assistance well ahead of time to give you peace of mind, learn more about Passenger Assist on the National Rail website.
Research all the public transport options including buses, taxis, trams and trains.
Plan your specific journeys ahead of time, keep note of everything on your phone or in a notebook.
If you need to use taxis to get around, contact companies before your holiday to see if they can take powered wheelchair users so you are not left disappointed or stranded whilst you’re away.
For more tips when travelling on public transport with a powered wheelchair, read our article.
Top tip: The Disabled Person’s Railcard will save you and one other person a third on your train tickets. That’s an average of £126 a year.
Finding accessible destinations and days out
Once you’ve decided on your holiday destination and organised your travel, it’s time to think about how you’ll spend each day. As a powered wheelchair user, it’s important to research the accessibility of anywhere you want to visit and there’s a few different ways you can do this.
Websites like AccessAble allow you to search for accessibility guides of restaurants, hotels and attractions with ease. Their detailed reviews include photos and information on everything from accessible toilets to step free access.
You can also search online for specific accessible activities. For example, in more rural areas you can explore nature with an all terrain mobility scooter. You can follow accessible trails alongside family and friends with ease. Forestry England keeps track of where these scooters are available across the UK.
Fancy a wildlife holiday? Read Pippa Stacey’s advice for exploring nature in a powered wheelchair.
Top tip: Many attractions offer discounts to disabled people, including a free carer ticket, so be sure to check what might be on offer before booking.
Research, research, research
Detailed planning is key to success when traveling as a powered wheelchair user. Sometimes accessibility information online is not detailed enough though. You can reach out to businesses using social media, email or phone to ask more specific questions. On a recent holiday I arrived at an attraction to find that whilst it was step free, it was built on a steep hill. I knew I would struggle with this and it would use too much of my battery. A simple email to the business ahead of time would have given me this information and meant I could make other plans.
You can also make use of tools like the Google Maps street view feature. I recently used this as a tool to visit Lizard Point, the most southerly point of the UK. I knew it was going to be a challenging visit as the ground was uneven and rocky. At first glance I probably would have decided it would be too difficult for me. However, using street view gave me a good look at the area which helped make my decision to visit. It was an important lesson in not ruling anywhere or anything out. I might have almost got stuck on some rocks a few times, but it was worth it for the views!
Top tip: Always keep an eye on your powered wheelchair battery to make sure you have enough left to get you through the day. It can be easy to get carried away on holiday! Your Motability Scheme lease also includes battery replacements to make sure you’re always fully charged.
Holiday checklist
As a powered wheelchair user, your preparation and packing lists will look a little different. Depending on your needs you might have extra accessibility aids to pack. Here’s a few important things to remember.
- Powerchair charger, and a back up if you have one
- Daily living aids like a grabber or bathroom aids
- Medication
- Heat patches, hot water bottles and any other pain relieving tools
- Blue badge
- Any access cards to get discounts and carer tickets at attractions
Leasing a powered wheelchair with the Motability Scheme includes Motability Assist breakdown assistance. Make a note of all the contact details you might need ahead of your holiday, ready for if you did breakdown whilst away. This way you’re prepared for anything, and can get the right help as quickly as possible. Keeping on top of your regular services, included with your lease, and keeping your powered wheelchair well maintained can also reduce your risk of having a breakdown too.
Top tip: Test that all of your equipment is working prior to your holiday. No one wants to arrive to find out that something is broken.
Making the most of your holiday
Everyone will want different things out of a holiday. Some people prefer sightseeing, and others want to relax with a good book. My best advice is to have balance. You do not want to travel home wishing you’d done more. But you also do not want to tire yourself out halfway through because you’ve done too much. I like to space out the bigger activities on my holidays. For example, if we’re going to the zoo and the beach on one day, the next day we might spend more time playing board games and having a meal out. You might find the days busy and overwhelming if every single one is packed full.
Most importantly though, enjoy yourself! It can be easy to worry about accessibility, but with good planning you can trust that you’ll have an amazing time.
Join the Motability Scheme
Could the Motability Scheme help you stay mobile?
When you lease a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme, you get an all-inclusive package including insurance, breakdown cover, service and routine repairs, and batteries and tyres.
Quickly check if you’re eligible now.
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