Special Needs Kids Information and Shopping
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Leisure activities and days out


On this page you will find some suggestions for great days out and leisure activities suitable for children with special needs and learning disabilities, and the buttons above will take you to information about disabled sports and play activities for disabled children in the UK.  We would like to develop this page further and would love to hear of your days out and activities that you think other families may enjoy.  Please email your suggestions to karen@special-needs-kids.co.uk

Disclaimer:  we have compiled this page using the most up to date information we can find but would always advise you to contact the venue before visiting with any enquiries you may have.  Contact details are provided with each venue listed and we cannot accept responsibility for any dissatisfaction with venues or activities.


The Calvert Trust
Drusillas Park Zoo
The Calvert Trust specializes in outdoor activities for people with learning disabilities.  The Trust has three centres in England, these are
at Kielder, Keswick and Exmoor.
Go to the website at www.calvert-trust.org.uk to find out more.
Located at Alfriston, East Sussex. The park is totally accessible to wheelchair users and wheelchairs are available on request if booked in advance. There are disabled toilet facilities. Concession for disabled visitors and their carers. Telephone 01323 874100 or visit www.drusillas.co.uk
Sheffield Ski Village
Out & About & Away

Can cater for children with learning and behavioural difficulties. The children can take part in ski or snowboard lessons and there is also snow tubing or tobogganing which may suit children with slightly more demanding needs. Prices are very reasonable and there are reductions for groups and underprivileged children. Open Wed-Friday 2pm – 10pm and weekends 10am – 7pm.

A Bristol based 'not for profit' organisation that organises Leisure opprtunities, short breaks, holidays and respite for children and adults with disabilitites. To find out more visit the website www.outandaboutandaway.co.uk or telephone 07545565257
Riding for the Disabled
Eden Project
This is for people of all ages with learning disabilities and takes place throughout England. To find your nearest centre telephone 024 7669 6510 or visit www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk A giant crater in Cornwall where stories of our world come to life. As it was funded by the National Lottery it has to meet disability access criteria and for further details telephone 01726 811911 or visit www.edenproject.com
Dolphin Therapy
Hartlepool Historic Quay
This involves swimming with dolphins and takes place in Florida, USA.  For more information visit www.dolphinhumantherapy.com Offering the sights, smells and sounds of the naval 18th century, with authentic reconstructions. Wheelchairs are available and toilets, lifts and ramped access are provided. Also audio with personal neck loops is available for the hard of hearing. For more details telephone 01429 860006
Go Carts
Hop Farm Country Park
For children who have difficulty riding a bike  this activity can be found in Loughborough. Telephone 01509 210321 for more details. Near Paddock Wood, Kent. Easy access to majority of park. Issues leaflet to assist disabled visitors. Information line - 01622 872068 or visit www.thehopfarm.co.uk
The Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card
Legoland

The Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card entitles the holder to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema. The card is valid for one year from the issue date and costs £5.50. To apply for the card a person must meet one (or more) of the following criteria.
a) Be in receipt of disability living allowance b) Be a registered blind person.
For more information visit website or telephone 08451231292 

Family theme park at Windsor, Berkshire with lots of hands-on entertainment for children aged 2-12. Legoland's Special Needs Guide gives all necessary information and access issues and a copy can be ordered by phoning 08705 040404 or visiting www.legoland.co.uk
Alton Towers
Magna Science Adventure Centre
This theme park offers concessions and access to disabled people. Also issues disabled pass to avoid having to queue for rides. Telephone 0870 4444455 or visit www.altontowers.com This is a hands on centre with lots of interactive activities and workshops. Wheelchairs are available to hire free of charge and everywhere is accessible.
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Newquay Zoo
The zoo is wheelchair friendly with 20 wheelchairs and 2  scooters available for hire. They also offer concessions for special needs. Telephone 0117 9706176 or visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk This zoo is wheelchair friendly with disabled toilet facilities and offers free entry with wheelchair users who are with a full paying carer. Telephone 01637 873342
Cadbury World
Norfolk Wildlife Centre
Found in Birmingham, find out how chocolate is made and smell and taste it!  There is disabled access and information about opening times and prices can be found at www.cadburyworld.co.uk Offers £1 discount on standard entrance fee for disabled visitors and their carers. All retail and restaurant facilities are accessible and there are disabled toilet facilities. For further information telephone 01603 872274 or visit www.norfolkwildlife.co.uk
Chester Zoo
Woburn Safari Park
This is the UK's largest zoo and all areas except the water bus are wheelchair accessible.  For further details telephone 01224 380280 This park offers reduced rates to disabled people and their carers if they are from recognised charities and organisations. Visit www.woburnsafari.co.uk
Activenture
Daytrippers

Organises residential outdoor pursuit weeks for
young people with disabilities and special needs aged
8 – 18 years throughout the school holidays. The have 2 residential centres in Sussex and Buckinghamshire, which are fully adapted and accessible, with fully trained staff and young volunteers. For more information Tel: Di Churchill – 01342 828215 or visit www.londonyouth.org.uk/activenture


Founded in 2003 to help children with disabilities, life limiting and terminal illnesses. They provide funding for group daytrips including visits to theme parks, the seaside, museums, pantomimes and wildlife parks. If your group is interested in applying for funding visit their website: www.daytrippers.org.uk or Tel: Jude Saffron 020 7758 0030 – please note that Daytrippers does not accept applications from individual families.

 

Birmingham Sea Life Centre
Thames Valley Adventure Playground
Enjoy the unique sensation of a kaleidescope of creatures swimming under your feet and over your head. From sharks to rays, turtles to clownnfish. It has excellent wheelchair access with low level tanks so vision is not restricted!  Carers are free and so are under three year olds. For details telephone
0121 643 6777 or 24 hr information line on 0121 633 4700. There are five other Sea Life Centres on mainland UK at Scarborough, Blackpool, Weymouth, Brighton and Gt Yarmouth.



TVAP offers stimulation, fun and friendship, whatever your special need, whether you have a physical or sensory disability, whether you have a learning difficulty or behavioural or emotional problems. A great day out for both children with special needs and their families. Booking beforehand is essential. For more information visit their website here or telephone 01628 628599.

 

 

Tropical Wings World of Wildlife
Knowsley Safari Park
Fantastic all weather entertainment based in Essex. Lots of different species of birds, insects and animals and interaction is definitly encouraged, also plenty of games and fun things to do. Tropical Wings is fully accessible to wheelchairs and has toilets for the disabled.  Blue Badge holders will also find allocated parking spaces situated near the main entrance. It also offers Special Sensory Sessions with basic Makaton available. Telephone 01245 425394 or visit www.tropicalwings.co.uk or
Knowsley Safari Park is one of Merseyside's premier leisure attractions with around 30 species of mammal roaming 200 hectares of land, plus a few birds, reptiles and invertebrates. It offers reduced rates for people with disabilities and one carer can enter for free with further carers also enjoying the reduced rate. There are also disabled toilet facilities.For further information visit their website at http://www.knowsley.com


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