Bristol Beacon
4
4
Date of visit: October 2026
I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: disabled toilet, walking aid
Overall Rating
Good
Bristol Beacon is a great venue since it has been redeveloped, not so happy about the name change, the seating is much more inclusive for the more voluptuous hips. Regular seating has great legroom, however, when sitting in the accessible row, S it was nowhere near as comfortable purely and simply because I was unable to extend my legs because of a metal fence type system that stopped me from stretching my legs and so I was in pain and discomfort throughout the entire performance sadly.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The accessibility was fantastic. The doors were wide enough and the lifts equally as spacious. When waiting for the doors to the auditorium to open it would be useful if there was a set-aside space for accessible needs, for me. Have been useful to have had a seat near to the entrance as the only store I could find that was suitable for me to sit on. Was it the end of the walkway leading to the doors which meant many other people were in front of me when the doors opened, causing me to then have to stand for quite some time to gain access.
Accessible facilities: Lift to all areas, Step-free entrance
Parking & Transport
It may be worth thinking about where you sit if you have accessibility needs as row s, which is for those with accessibility needs or wheelchair users as I'm not a wheelchair user but I need space to be able to extend my leg due to chronic arthritis. This row was absolutely not suitable for me because of a fixed barrier in front meaning my knees had to be constantly bent and there was no space for me to extend my legs sadly
Accessible Toilets
Good
The accessible bathroom facilities were really great. The only thing I did find was that in one of them the waste bin was quite close to the toilet, meaning someone in a wheelchair may have difficulty pulling their wheelchair alongside to transfer onto the toilet. I also questioned the positioning of the sanitary bin as this was close to the toilet but in a very small space and it made it difficult to put your foot forward sufficient to step on the lever to open it. Meaning the only other option would have been to have used your hand and touched it, which I do not think is very hygienic. I did in fact move this, particularly to a more accessible place which means that I was able to use my foot to press it and open it and dispose incontinence pads.
Facilities: Red Cord Card, Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
The staff that I met were all very friendly and approachable and happy to help at all times
Additional Information
Something not directly related to the venue but at the back I followed a young lady in her motorised wheelchair as she was leaving the venue and when crossing the road at the appropriate drop down space on reaching the far side The drop kerb was not completely flush with the road and when her front wheels hit it, the back of her wheelchair started to leave the ground and she was immediately heading towards face planting on the pavement. Thankfully I was close enough to be able to put my hand on the back of her wheelchair and stabilise it. Her partner who was walking alongside her was completely unaware of what was happening and would not have been able to have saved her from hitting the deck. I don't think. He did however, then manually raise the front of her wheelchair to get up onto the pavement. So there is an email going to Bristol City Council for them to review all of their drop down kerbs in review of this.
