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12 January 2024
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Yorkshire is a beautiful corner of the world with its stunning national parks, sweeping moorland and rugged coastline. There’s so much to see and do here in this magical county – and what’s more, it has many accessible attractions.
There are countless experiences that people with limited mobility can enjoy here. From atmospheric castles and abbeys to picturesque parks and gardens, Yorkshire is a dream destination. Read on to discover nine wonderfully accessible places to visit in Yorkshire!
This 8,500-acre scenic spot is a slice of heaven for outdoor lovers, with walking trails, cycling routes, running trails, a Go Ape and much more! All-terrain mobility scooter hire is available for free at the visitor centre. These are for anyone with short or long-term limited mobility, and you do not need to be registered disabled. It’s a good idea to contact the centre in advance to book your vehicle. You will then be able to choose between two easy access trails, starting from the visitor centre – the Ellerburn trail and the Housedale Rigg trail. The Courtyard Cafe is the perfect spot to grab a drink and catch your breath after a day of fun!
The scenery is so stunning from the Sutton Bank escarpment that author James Herriot declared it to be “the finest view in England”! Sutton Bank is a haven for outdoor lovers, with bike trails and walking routes. Stargazers will love it here, too, as it’s an International Dark Sky Reserve. Outdoor mobility Trampers are available daily, one at 11am and the other at 12 noon. Couples and friends wanting to use both Trampers at the same time should contact the visitor centre before booking. You can enjoy a choice of two accessible routes (3.5km and 4.5km), starting and finishing at the Sutton Bank National Park Centre. Please note that to book a Tramper, you need to buy an Outdoor Mobility membership. The centre is open daily from March to early January (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) and then opens on the weekends.
A stately home with over 300 years of history, Castle Howard and its vast gardens were first opened to the public in 1952. Today, they attract around 250,000 visitors each year. The Grade I listed house and its beautiful interiors are open from April to October and later decorated for Christmas from November to January. Outside, there’s almost 1,000 acres of listed parkland and gardens, open year-round. Most of the house and grounds are accessible to all. Wheelchair users (under 225kg) can use the stairlift to access the main floor of the house and most of the rooms. Free, wheelchair-friendly transport is available from the courtyard ticket office to the house, café and adventure playground.
Dating back to the early 1800s, this scenic attraction was known as “the finest garden in England”. Today, there is plenty to do at this National Trust site, with its Grade I-registered landscape, Gothic folly, and Victorian conservatory. The castle and gardens are open most of the year, with some day closures during the winter months. There are two powered mobility scooters and an all-terrain Tramper available for hire, free of charge. The Tramper can access the parkland during the summer. You’ll need to contact Wentworth Castle Gardens to book.
Once considered one of the great abbeys of England, the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey remain an impressive sight today. The abbey fell into ruin after being seized by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. Today, the abbey provides a fascinating look into the past and the lives of the monks who lived there. The site also has a museum that showcases historic objects including gold coins, elaborate medieval stone carvings and even chess pieces! The visitor centre, shop, on-site café and museum are fully accessible. Access to most of the site is via fine, loose gravel paths and smooth grass. There are picnic places and seating outside where you enjoy the views. The site is on a slope, so wheelchair users may require assistance in some areas. The abbey is open daily from late March to early November before switching to weekend opening hours.
Free to enter and open year-round, you’ll find Sheffield Botanical Gardens just a stone’s throw from the city centre. First opened in 1836, there are several winding paths through 18 different garden areas, all based on geographical or botanical themes across the world. If you’re a budding horticulturalist, check the official website to see if any lectures or workshops are taking place during your visit! The gardens are on a slight slope and there are steps in some areas. However, people in wheelchairs can access all parts of the gardens as there is always an alternative wheelchair-friendly route.
Get up close and personal with over 700 animals across 70 species at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. From amur leopards to black rhinos to polar bears, you’ll get to see and learn about a huge variety of creatures from across the world. You’ll also meet plenty of cute wallabys and lemurs! The park has plenty of ‘Animal Experiences’ where you can go behind the scenes with zookeepers and get hands-on (where safe!) with the animals. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to hire.
Just three miles from the centre of Leeds, Kirkstall Abbey is a peaceful countryside escape. Founded circa 1152, the once Cistercian monastery is now one of the most picturesque ruins in the UK. J. M. W. Turner thought so too, as he painted it! There are seven acres of greenery, making it the perfect spot for a summer picnic. Fishing is also permitted along the River Aire. The abbey is open Tuesday to Sunday each week and is free for residents of Leeds, while others will need to pay a small entrance fee. There’s a large free car park just down the road next to Abbey House Museum. A wheelchair is available from the visitor centre to borrow on your visit, but advance booking is advised. Kirkstall Abbey, including the visitor centre, is all located at ground level. The visitor centre is fully accessible and so are most of the grounds. Seating is available in the visitor centre and around the grounds.
If you like cheese, Wensleydale Creamery is an absolute must. Wallace & Gromit were not wrong about the joys of this marvellous cheese! The creamery is a great place to visit to get your fromage fix. Not only can you enjoy some of the finest Wensleydale cheese available, but you can also join their award-winning Cheese Experience. Watch as experts carefully craft the cheese by hand! If you’re still craving more, you can indulge in a delicious cheese-themed afternoon tea at the on-site restaurant. Parking is available at the visitor centre, including designated disabled parking spots. The visitor centre is fully accessible, but anyone requiring specific assistance should contact the creamery ahead of their visit.
Here are some great resources to help you discover accessible places to visit in the North York Moors national park.
Miles Without Stiles offers walking routes for everyone. These routes are suitable for people with limited mobility, including wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, people with visual impairments, and anyone who wants an easier walk.
If you’re after breathtaking vistas, there are numerous Accessible Viewpoints.
For a full list of accessible experiences, attractions, museums, galleries, nature and wildlife compiled by the North York Moors organisation, visit Access For All.
Interested in discovering even more accessible places to visit in Yorkshire? Look no further! Road Trip Yorkshire, published by No Fuss Travel Guides, is just the ticket! It’s packed with information and useful tips on all the best things to see and do in this magnificent county. What’s more, we’ve included accessibility information and icons, along with QR codes and what3words references, to ensure that planning your Yorkshire trip is as easy and hassle-free as possible!
