5 Accessibility Friendly Festivals in The UK
Festival season is right around the corner. That means sunnier weather, cold drinks, and great music. UK festivals are some of the most popular around the world and millions flock to see their favourite artists each year. But, what about accessibility? It has been unfortunately made clear through experiences of the disabled community that not all festivals are as accessible as they claim to be. We are here to pave the way past the barriers, and share some of the top UK festivals that are also accessibility friendly.
The undisputed king of festivals, Glastonbury, prioritises accessibility. Dedicated viewing platforms, accessible toilets, and even a wheelchair-friendly shuttle bus service ensure everyone gets the full Glasto experience, they leave no stone unturned when it comes to opening up their doors and ensuring disabled visitors have the best experience. They also offer free carer tickets and safe medication storage for peace of mind.
Head to Suffolk for Latitude, a festival renowned for its inclusivity. Smooth tarmac paths make for easy wheelchair navigation, and there's a designated accessible viewing platform for prime spots at the stages. They also have plenty of disability-friendly campsite options for those looking to stay the night and engage in the full 24-festival experience! Be sure to book everything ahead and apply for the accessible facilities to guarantee entry!
This historic festival is way ahead then the majority of UK festivals when it comes to accessibility. They host accessible viewing areas, raised platform viewing, ground platform viewing and also accessible campsites just to name a few of their amazing features. The Isle of Wight Festival has an unreal lineup of current favourites and past legendary artists, so be sure to get your tickets whilst you can!
Reading and Leeds are two of the biggest festivals in the UK, so it is extremely refreshing to see their work towards making the festivals as accessible as possible. Both festivals have wheelchair access to all stages in the facility, alongside designated viewing areas and of course accessible toilets. They also provide free essential compassion tickets. Did we mention they even have designated accessible lanes for each main bar? So you can grab your favourite drinks and snacks restriction-free.
Nestled beside the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, Bluedot blends science, music, and art into a uniquely accessible experience. Concrete paths ensure easy manoeuvring, and there's a dedicated accessible viewing platform for prime spots to enjoy the music and the stars.
Overall, the fear of accessibility restitution should not stop you from having the best summer ever. Find the perfect festival outfit, choose which festival has the right lineup to your taste, and be sure to apply for your accessibility pass and be prepared to make memories to last a lifetime.
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Amy Jones is a freelance health and wellness writer from Manchester UK. She loves researching and writing about health topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest health news, and eco-friendly brands. Her passion for health and wellness stems from her innate desire to educate people on how to properly take care of their bodies, spot any early signs of illness and take the best preventative methods. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog, listening to groundbreaking podcasts or browsing her nearest bookstore.