Dreadful all-round. Not recommended at all
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Date of visit: July 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment and moving around.
I use or have experience of: autism, walking aid
Overall Rating
Bad
We arrived early on a Saturday to get the first train to Whitby. I expected a nice relaxing trip on a steam train all stress free! We managed to park right beside the side and spotted the ticket office so joined a short queue only to weirdly be shouted at by some weird northerner! Apparently there was an unspoken queuing system which only a few knew about. Thankfully they accepted our National disabled card and provided a carer ticket (We didn't do this last year as they was only accepting the poxy Nimbus card and as I refuse to claim benefits I can't get - But there is no way this is worth £50 a ticket). The trip to Whitby wasn't too bad (although it was slow and hot), the only loo though seemed to be in the disabled carriage, you darent leave your seat encase someone pinched it! We heard others saying the last train from Whitby would be "Busy" so we had to scrap that plan and aim for the 14:10 train which would mean only a couple of hours in Whitby. The return trip was just hell! We arrived 30 mins before as I didn't want to miss is but shocked to see a long queue already. I heard the staff mentioning no toilets on the station and sending people to a pub! I asked if there was any seating to not get a reply. I'd forgotten my walking sticks but only after 20 mins I heard the staff mention "this is the disabled queue" but by this time the queue was already long, so we was just stuck leaning on a fence for 40 mins (as it was late). The rush for a seat was also real, we boarded the first carriage as I just needed to sit down and didn't want to be part of the manic rush, only to find this was reserved for a coach party! , we tried the next carriage only to rudely told not to sit here as it was for the first 2 stops. I gave up at sat in the third carriage, but it was quickly clear that there was no spare seats and people would be standing!! The journey was hot, slow and noisy with lots of screaming kids, we ended up sharing the table and I was squeezed in and uncomfortable. I did want to get off and look at the engine sheds but I'd had enough and just wanted to get back to the car and call it quits I felt lucky to have a seat and really didn't want that stress again. Overall I really wouldn't recommend this certainly to anyone with any autism and anyone with reduced mobility or hidden disabilities as you are just forced to experience a dreadful public transport type journey . If you are in a wheelchair I suspect you would be accommodated although I understand you need to "Book" I suspect also space may still be tight as there was lost of mobility scooters. I'm not sure what the parking is like too as the side gate (Platform side) had steps. Pros: - There are accessible carriages. - They offer carer tickets (without the poxy nimbus access card). Cons: - Stressful - Limited toilet facilities - Busy - Loud - Limited seating - Herded like cattle! - Untrained staff (I doubt the Sunflower scheme is recognised at all!) - Hot (Just don't do it!)
Disabled Access In and Around
Poor
As mentioned. Step steps and more steps. Limited seating and lots of queuing.
Parking & Transport
Poor
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
We parked on street parking with blue badge (all day). There was private parking but it seemed quite a walk and you'd need to use stairs to get over the lines. (I have no idea how a wheelchair would manage so I recommending contacting them to ask).
Accessible facilities: Dedicated on-site parking, Public or on street parking
Accessible Toilets
Poor
I only saw one on the train (and this being the only one it seems). Nothing at Whitby.
Staff
Poor
Lots of volunteers and I can't say have been giving any disability training.
Additional Information
This will need lots of planning and careful considering for any autistic person, I'd suggest it's probably one to miss, perhaps just visit the platforms or visit out of season. Certainly contact them and ask lots of questions.
