Accessible sporting venues around the UK

Photo of Wembley Stadium.

Whether you’re interested in watching or trying out sports, from indoor cycling and football, to swimming and sailing – there are plenty of accessible sporting venues located throughout the country! Here are a few of our favourites:

 

Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow

Photo of Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

With a range of sporting activities available, including gymnastics, tennis, badminton, basketball, and cycling, Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow is a top spot for sports fans. Wheelchair users visiting both alone or in a group can enjoy the venue’s games! It’s mostly a spectator venue, but there are plenty of opportunities to give the activities a go!

There is an accessible car park close to the entrance, which one person said had “plenty of disabled spaces, it seemed a good, large carpark with room around each parking bay.”

Entrance to the arena is levelled, with automatic doors for wheelchair users, as well as a lift inside the venue. There are many wheelchair spaces located throughout the arena. The venue includes accessible toilets, which one visitor described as being “nice and spacious.”

Places to eat and stay nearby:

Wembley Stadium, London

Photo of Wembley Stadium.

Arguably one of the most famous stadiums, Wembley Stadium in London is a big football and rugby venue. It prides itself as an accessible venue and has level access and lifts to all floors.

One visitor thanked a member of staff who “cleared the way for us, which was very much appreciated due to the number of people attending.” There’s also accessible parking outside to stadium entrance, as well as accessible toilets, described by a visitor as “clean and spacious.”

Places to eat and stay nearby:

Belfast Lough Sailability, Carrickfergus

Photo of Carrickfergus Sailability.

Known for the historic Carrickfergus Castle, the fishing port town of Carrickfergus is also home to Belfast Lough Sailability is an organisation operated wholly by volunteers. It’s the place to go if you want to try sailing, and one visitor told us the volunteers were “very friendly and helpful.” There’s also accessible parking near the entrance.

Access to the boats is supported by a drop ramp for wheelchair users, as well as hoists to lift people into the boats. The visitor also told us “a lot of thought has been given to this.” The venue also includes accessible toilets.

Places to eat and stay nearby:

South Mainland Swimming Pool, Shetland

Photo of South Mainland Pool.

If you fancy a swim in Shetland, try out the South Mainland Pool in Sandwick. It has accessible parking, level access and automatic doors. There is also a hoist in the accessible changing area, and a large changing table in the accessible loos. One visitor said the staff were “only too happy to help and offered a warm welcome.”

Places to eat, stay, and visit nearby:

Wellow Trekking Centre, Bath

Photo of horse riding at Wellow Trekking Centre.

Bath isn’t just about Roman baths and hot springs! Wellow Trekking Centre is an accessible pony trekking and horse riding school with a holiday cottage on site. There is accessible parking nearby, as well as a ramp at the venue’s entrance for wheelchair users. One visitor described the toilets in the cottage as having “a very large wet floor shower with a toilet that has rails.”

The centre offers facilities for disabled riders, with trained staff available to ensure a great session!

Places to eat, stay, and visit nearby:

Advantage - Edinburgh’s Disability Tennis Programme, Edinburgh

Photo of Advantage Disability Tennis match.

If you’re interested in playing some tennis, Craiglockhart Tennis Centre in Edinburgh offers Advantage – Edinburgh’s Disability Tennis Programme. The programme was established for disabled people to enjoy playing tennis in the most accessible way! One visitor said the coaches were “enthusiastic and knowledgeable” of their requirements.

There are two accessible toilets in the venue, described as “clean and functional” by a visitor, with a lift operating to take wheelchair users to the court level toilets. Outside the building there’s also accessible parking!

Places to eat, stay, and visit nearby:

Tags: recommendations, sport

Comments

You have to be signed in to leave a comment.

Login / Signup