Manchester is one the UK’s most popular city break destinations, and for good reason. However, it’s not often clear which of the city’s great attractions are wheelchair accessible or offer other disability considerations.
This article suggests great places to visit for a fun day out in Greater Manchester. Whether you live there or are just visiting, these accessibility-friendly recommendations are worth considering.
Manchester offers a wide range of activities and attractions, making it perfect for those seeking variety in a city. The city has everything from museums and art galleries, to ski slopes and game rooms. We believe that as many of these wonderful attractions as possible should be available to all.
Leodis Stairlifts is a mobility company that has been providing stairlifts to the Greater Manchester area for over 30 years. We have been incredibly amazed to witness the rise of accessible attractions for the elderly and disabled in this time. The below activities and places to visit are just an example of how the city has developed.
So, if you want to explore Manchester, read on to discover our 7 picks!
Sea Life Manchester
Let’s start with somewhere that’s a unique attraction to visit and is almost completely wheelchair accessible. Every member of your family or friend group can see the wonderful sites of Sea Life.
There are aquarium areas, unique sea animals, and various activities. Additionally, there is the well-known underwater ocean tunnel. In this tunnel, you can observe marine life from a close distance. Fun for all ages, you can explore the rockpools and even touch starfish, crabs, and other creatures.
The only exceptions for wheelchair access is in a few certain areas, such as the top of viewing tanks.
Despite this, one thing working in Sea Life’s favour is the brilliant Free Carer Policy. This means that in a group that includes one disabled or otherwise vulnerable individual, an accompanying carer gets in for free!
Learn more about accessibility at Sea Life Manchester here: Visit Sea Life
Chill Factore
From somewhere nice to visit with the family, to a fun activity for all.
Chill factore is the top provider of indoor Snowsports in Manchester. They pride themselves in providing an experience accessible to as many people as possible. Everything from ski lessons to the indoor slope is available to enjoy to all their guests.
Chill Factore ensures a good experience for all guests with accessible parking and disabled toilets in every toilet block.
Providing an example experience is key to snow centre’s ethos. This is because Chill Factore is home to Disability Snowsport UK. Adaptive skiing is provided for individuals with any disability, which ensures that all guests are welcome. With adaptive equipment and specialist instruction, support can be provided to make your visit a special one.
Learn more about accessibility at Chill Factore: Plan Your Visit
Museum of Science and Industry
Back to another excellent place to visit that makes the effort to be available to all guests.
Both the exhibits and the museum itself is an interesting attraction from the city. The museum consists of five nineteenth-century buildings, all wheelchair accessible, and all connected with smooth paths. With these five buildings, there’s near guaranteed to be something to everyone.
Attractions include the exhibit dedicated to ideas that changed the world, and the museum hands-on science experiments for all ages*. The museum wants to be a great experience for everyone, and the accessibility they offer helps make that happen.
To help you, they offer wheelchair borrowing, buildings with lifts, and disabled toilets are available everywhere.
Learn more here: Science and Industry Museum
*At the time of writing, July 2023
The Immersive Gamebox
Back to activities now and this is a unique one that’s going to provide you and your party with hours of fun.
Designed to be immersive, challenging, and rewarding, the Gamebox has experiences for groups of all ages. An achievement in interactive technology, touch screens and motion tracking help bring the games to life.
The Immersive Gamebox makes it clear that adjustments can be made for most disabilities and accessibility needs. It’s recommended to contact them ahead of time to make sure.
The Gamebox is a good choice for people in wheelchairs or with mobility issues because it has a simple layout. Players enjoy the game in an open space and via a touchscreen. This makes it easier for some people compared to other group games, such as an escape room.
As stated above, it is of course best to contact ahead.
You can do that on their website here: The Immersive Gamebox
People’s History Museum
Another excellent place to visit with a different spin to the above discussed Museum of Science and Industry. This museum is telling the story of Britain’s people and democracy itself. Discussing the history of voting, protests, and activism, the People’s History Museum aims to provide an interesting and engaging look at our history.
Not only is the general subject matter fascinating by itself, at the time of writing the Museum is doing an exhibit on the history of disabled people’s rights and activism. The timing couldn’t be more perfect!
In terms of providing access to disabled people or those with ailments, the museum is of course fully Wheelchair accessible. The museum offers special cards for dyslexic visitors and information cards for those with learning difficulties. They also have hearing aid loops to make sure everyone can easily appreciate the museum.
See further details here: Accessibility at PHM
Band on the Wall
Manchester is of course a city of culture, and prides itself in providing top of the line entertainment across all areas. If you’re wanting to visit Manchester and enjoy some of the music that’s made it world-famous, you’re going to want to visit a place that also made the effort to be accessible to you.
Band on the Wall is a wheelchair accessible award-winning venue with carefully curated music from artists spanning all genres. There’s a bar (where no gig ticket is needed) that serves craft beers and wines from around the world. Alongside a host of other drinks to provide you with a varied selection, the kitchen also provided delicious freshly baked pizza.
Making the effort to having something for everyone, the accessibility at the venue goes above and beyond.
They work with the organisation “Attitude is Everything” to improve deaf and disabled accessibility to live music. This doesn’t just mean guests; this also means the performers and staff.
Learn more on their website: Visit Band on the Wall
National Football Museum
Finally, one for the football fans are even just those interested in the country’s rich history of sport. This is an interactive museum ideal for locals and for visitors to compliment their day trips.
There’s seven floors of memorabilia, football heritage, and activities to keep those of all ages engaged. Of course, these seven stories are fully wheelchair accessible and lifts and ramps are provided across the museum.
Guided tours can be provided, and induction loops are available for those with hearing difficulties. A BSL introduction to the collection and a large print guide is available from the website, ensuring that as many people as possible can attend and appreciate what they have to offer.
The museum is home to incredible FA Silverware and replicas, signed shirts, curated collections, and highlights from football history to enjoy. It just makes it all the more better that even football fans with disabilities or impairments can also attend and enjoy.
As a bonus, residents of Manchester go free!
Conclusion
We’re pleased to see the growth of options for disabled people across Manchester. Residents and visitors now have more autonomy in choosing their activities. We believe in giving people back their independence, with our stair lifts helping people in their own homes. With over 30 years experience providing stairlift services
We’re one of the few stairlift companies in the North of England that offers a free home survey, a 2-year warranty, and a price that covers supply and install. This applies whether you’re buying your device or getting a stairlift rental. It also applies to both new and reconditioned stairlifts, no matter the stairlift you have installed.
As a leading stairlift manufacturer, we take pride in offering value for money and a genuine 24-hour call-out service.
If you wish to buy or rent a stairlift, get in touch with us today to book your free no-obligation home survey. We offer both Straight Stairlifts and Curved Stairlifts for Manchester and the surrounding areas.
Note: The information in this blog post was accurate according to the information available at the time of publishing.
Leodis Stairlifts is not responsible for the content on external sites.
All images were obtained under fair use at the time of publishing.
