Are you off on an adventure in Essex and looking for something to do that’s wheelchair accessible? Whether you’re a couple, a group of friends, or have the whole family in tow, there are some truly fantastic destinations across East Anglia that can be accessed by wheelchair. Take a look at our Suffolk days out and Norfolk days out guides, then read on to discover some of our favourite wheelchair accessible places in Essex.
Wheelchair accessible days out in Essex
Here are just five of the many fun and exciting wheelchair accessible days out that can be found in our neighbouring county.
Shuttleworth Collection and Swiss Garden, Biggleswade
An excellent day out with something for the entire family, Shuttleworth is a must-visit. This site includes so much to see and do, including a beautiful 9-acre Swiss garden, six hangars full of historic aircraft and veteran vehicles, the grand Shuttleworth House mansion, and the vast Shuttleworth Estate. They also hold some amazing events, from air shows to comedy nights.
They are very accessible and put a lot of effort into ensuring everyone, no matter their ability, enjoys their visit. On the Shuttleworth website, you’ll find a sensory map, which includes which pathways are wheelchair accessible, as well as details on sounds and smells you may encounter. They have eight disabled parking spaces near their Hill Lane entrance.
Ticket prices: £19.50 for adults | Free for children under 18 | Carers go free and must book a ticket via email.
Opening hours: 10am – 4pm Mon – Fri | 9am – 4pm Sat – Sun
Nickelodeon Adventure, Lakeside
If you’re looking for the perfect accessible day out for children in Essex, head to Lakeside Shopping Centre and discover Nickelodeon Adventure. This indoor adventure park is fun for the whole family, but especially children who like cartoons such as SpongeBob and Paw Patrol. Play games, enjoy rides, and watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the exciting 4D cinema.
The site is wheelchair accessible across both of its two floors, with lift access between them, and features accessible facilities. There are 393 disabled parking spaces in the shopping centre’s car park, with quick access from there to Nickelodeon Adventure via lifts.
Ticket prices: Online tickets: Adult £6.49 | Children £13.49 | Disabled child £11.99 | Accompanying carers go free (1 carer for 1 disabled child) | Concession £6.49
Opening hours: Term time : 10am – 3pm Mon – Fri, 10am – 5pm Sat – Sun | School holidays: 10am – 5pm Mon – Fri, 10am – 5pm Sat – Sun
Southend Pier, Southend-on-Sea
A wonderful way to spend a few hours, head to Southend-on-Sea and visit their spectacular pier. The longest pleasure pier in the world, Southend Pier is an amazing 1.3 miles long and entirely accessible by wheelchair. It has three entry points, all of them step-free via ramp or level access, and wheelchair users can either travel the length of the pier as normal or take the Pier Train, which has a disabled friendly carriage with wider entry doors for wheelchairs.
The pier itself has many things to see and do, including restaurants and museums, which all feature level or ramp access. Disabled facilities can be found in all public toilets on the pier, and there are picnic benches which are suitable for wheelchair users. While the pier doesn’t have a designated car park, there are many local car parks with disabled spaces, and visitors can be dropped off at the pier entrances.
Ticket prices: Pier entry: £1.60 | Pier entry & train return ticket: adult £7.70, 3-16 yrs £4.10, concession (over 60s/disabled) £4.10 | Pier entry & fishing pass: adult £10.50, children (3 – 16 yrs) £5.50, concession (over 60s/disabled) £5.50
Opening hours: 10:15am – 5pm Wed – Sun
Colchester Zoo, Colchester
A fun day out for the entire family, Colchester Zoo is thought of by many as Essex’s best day out. See giraffes, penguins, red pandas, elephants, lions, and over 150 more incredible species in the zoo’s many habitats and exhibits.
Colchester Zoo has a very thorough accessibility guide available on their website, which details every exhibit that can be accessed via wheelchair, a complete accessibility map, and all other information you may require to plan your trip. There is ample disabled parking at the entrance to the zoo, all toilets have disabled facilities, and the zoo’s road train has a wheelchair accessible carriage. This really is a fully accessible day out where your family will make long-lasting memories.
Ticket prices: Prices change seasonally, book online to save
Opening hours: 9:30 opening time, closing time changes weekly
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, South Woodham Ferrers
A truly stunning public garden and Elizabethan manor house, Hyde Hall is the perfect destination for lovers of the outdoors. It is full of diverse habitats and accessible trails to explore, and innovative gardens that’ll take your breath away. While there are some sloping pathways, the majority of the gardens are easy to navigate via wheelchair – if you speak to on-site staff, they’ll advise you on the routes you can take.
Accessible parking bays can be found 50m to 80m from the entrance, and visitors can be dropped off by the entrance. There is also a free mobility vehicle, which can transport manual wheelchair users from the top of the garden to the site’s restaurant. The large on-site garden centre and cafe are accessible and level throughout, while the restaurant can be accessed via a slope.
Ticket prices: Prices change seasonally, book online to save
Opening hours: Open daily 10am – 4pm
Get your WAV from Ransome
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Essex that are wheelchair accessible, we hope this post has given you some ideas. As experts in wheelchair accessible vehicles, we can ensure you ride comfortably when taking your adventures. For new or used WAVs, WAV servicing and MOTs, or advice on what vehicle adaptations would be best for you or your loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call us on 01473 727263 or visit us at our Ipswich showroom to talk to our experienced team.