Your Guide to Autumn Days Out This Fall Season

There's something about autumn that pulls us outdoors. The light turns golden, the leaves put on their annual show, and the crisp air makes even a gentle stroll feel like an occasion. The good news is that a change in season doesn't have to mean a change in what's possible. 

We've gathered ten of the most accessible autumn days out across the UK, from world-famous arboretums to an indoor rainforest that keeps the weather off entirely. For each one, you'll find an "accessibility at a glance" panel covering the practical details, mobility hire, accessible parking, toilets and more, so you can plan with confidence before you set off. 

Access provision can change, so it's always worth a quick check of each venue's own accessibility page before you travel. With that in mind, let's dig in. 

RHS Garden Bridgewater, Salford 

If you're in the North West, this one's a gem on your doorstep. RHS Garden Bridgewater is one of the newest Royal Horticultural Society gardens, and because it was created recently, accessibility was designed in from the ground up rather than retrofitted. Wide, level paths run through a garden that's genuinely built for everyone. 

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit, as the Weston Walled Garden and the wider grounds shift into their seasonal colours. There's a welcome building, a garden centre and plenty of space to take things at your own pace. 

Both wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be pre-booked, and staff provide training on arrival so you feel confident before you set off. Booking ahead is the key thing here, as demand is high and reserving in advance secures your equipment for the day. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Book ahead and check the latest access details on the RHS Garden Bridgewater accessibility page. 

Bodnant Garden, Conwy 

Tucked into the slopes above the River Conwy in North Wales, Bodnant Garden is a National Trust gem that comes alive in autumn with a kaleidoscope of rich leaf colour. Its eighty acres take in dramatic terraces with mountain views, a Victorian east garden and quiet, wooded glades. 

New hard-surface paths have made access considerably easier, and there's a step-free route along wheelchair and pram-friendly compressed-shingle paths taking in many of the garden's highlights. Do bear in mind there's a slope down to the lower garden, so it's worth pacing yourself, and there are plenty of benches throughout to rest and take in the views. 

Manual wheelchairs, wheelchairs with off-road tyres and an all-terrain Tramper scooter are available from Home Farm next to the car park, along with a volunteer-driven shuttle bus. It's worth checking ahead to confirm availability before you travel. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Check current details on the Bodnant Garden visitor page. 

Grizedale Forest, Cumbria 

For a day out in the heart of the Lake District, Grizedale Forest delivers autumn woodland at its finest. Set within a World Heritage Site, it offers thousands of hectares of forest to explore, dotted with sculptures by contemporary artists tucked among the trees, so there's a sense of discovery around every corner. 

The standout feature for accessibility is the all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter, which opens up a scenic route through terrain a standard scooter couldn't manage. It's a brilliant way to get properly into the forest rather than staying at its edges. 

To use the Tramper, you'll need to register with Countryside Mobility and book ahead of your visit, so it's worth sorting this out before you travel. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Check trail and Tramper details on the Grizedale Forest visitor page before you go. 

Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, Gloucestershire 

Few places do autumn quite like Westonbirt. Known around the world for its autumn colour, this Forestry England arboretum is home to thousands of trees, and from mid-October the display is genuinely striking to move through. 

There are around ten miles of hard-surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs, and in most areas two can travel side by side, so nobody in your group has to fall behind. The STIHL Treetop Walkway is fully accessible too, giving you a view from among the canopy. 

Mobility scooters, manual wheelchairs and trikes can be hired free of charge, though booking at least a day ahead is essential. There's a Changing Places facility, accessible toilets, a low welcome desk with a hearing loop, and free sensory bags for visitors who'd find them helpful. A personal assistant accompanying you enters free. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Plan ahead using the Westonbirt access information page. 

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire 

For a day out that puts you close to wildlife, WWT Slimbridge on the Severn Estuary is one of the finest wetland centres in the country. Autumn brings arriving wildfowl, and the centre is famous for its flamingos, cranes and the returning Bewick's swans, with a sunken observatory that lets you watch the flamingos at eye level. 

Accessibility runs deep here, the site has won multiple awards for it. There's step-free access across much of the grounds on wide, level pathways, and the majority of the bird hides are wheelchair accessible, several with lifts and dropped viewing platforms so everyone gets the view. 

Manual wheelchairs are free to borrow (book ahead), and mobility scooters can be hired for a small charge with an introductory briefing. There's a fully equipped Changing Places facility next to the visitor centre, six further accessible toilets, and free sensory backpacks to borrow for visitors who'd find them helpful. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Full information is on the Slimbridge accessibility page. 

The Eden Project, Cornwall 

If autumn weather has you worried, the Eden Project is your answer. Home to the world's largest indoor rainforest, its famous biomes mean you can enjoy a proper day out whatever the skies are doing, and the whole site has won multiple awards for accessibility. 

Free shuttle buses run from the car parks, and a land train links the visitor centre to the base of the site, both able to carry wheelchairs. Lifts connect the highest and lowest points, so the gradients of the old clay pit needn't be a barrier. 

Manual wheelchairs are free to borrow on the day, and powered mobility scooters can be booked in advance, with around a month's notice recommended to be sure of one. There's a Changing Places facility in the visitor centre, Braille guidebooks and text readers available, and personal assistants enter free. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Full details are on the Eden Project accessibility guide. 

The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire 

Down in south-west Wales, the National Botanic Garden of Wales is a wonderful autumn destination, home to the world's largest single-span glasshouse and hundreds of acres of restored parkland to explore. The Great Glasshouse means there's always somewhere warm and beautiful to retreat to if the weather turns. 

The garden offers a regular shuttle buggy service that can take you to most parts of the grounds, including the parkland, and return you to the entrance, a real help across such a large site. 

Manual wheelchairs are free to borrow from the Gatehouse for the duration of your visit, and mobility scooters can be hired for a small charge plus a refundable deposit, with staff offering guidance on arrival as there are some restrictions on where scooters can go. There's a Changing Places facility near the Gatehouse. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Plan your visit with the National Botanic Garden of Wales accessibility page. 

Chatsworth, Derbyshire 

For a grand day out in the Peak District, Chatsworth pairs a magnificent house with sweeping gardens that come alive with autumn colour. It's a chance to combine heritage, art and the outdoors in a single visit. 

The garden is accessible to visitors using manual wheelchairs and powered scooters, though it's worth noting there are some steeper slopes, so the accessibility map is your friend here. You can pick up a printed copy at any garden entrance, and it maps out routes of varying length and difficulty so you can pick what suits you. The sensory garden is fully accessible. 

Manual wheelchairs can be hired for use in the house, garden and farmyard, bookable when you order your tickets. There's a registered Changing Places facility near the house entrance, along with accessible toilets at the house, the Stables restaurant and the farmyard. 

Accessibility at a glance

Plan your visit with the Chatsworth mobility access page. 

The Kelpies and Helix Park, Falkirk 

For something genuinely different, head to Falkirk to stand beneath The Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculptures, rising thirty metres above the canal. Set within the Helix, a green parkland stretching between Falkirk and the River Carron, they're an awe-inspiring sight, and even more striking after dark when they're lit up. 

Accessibility is a real strength here. The Helix has around two kilometres of level, asphalt paths with no significant gradients, and dropped kerbs at every road crossing. Ramps bypass the few steps up to the sculptures themselves, so you can get right up close. 

Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge, and can be reserved in advance by phone or email. The visitor centre has an automatic entrance, a lowered reception desk and a Changing Places facility, and there are wheelchair-friendly picnic benches around the café. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Plan your visit with the Helix access guide. 

Stargazing in Northumberland 

As the nights draw in earlier, autumn becomes prime time for stargazing, and Northumberland is one of the best places in the country for it. The International Dark Sky Park here is the largest in the UK, and hundreds of square miles hold Gold Tier dark-sky status. 

On a clear night you can see thousands of stars, the sweep of the Milky Way and, if you're lucky, even the northern lights. The beauty of stargazing is that much of it can be enjoyed from a parked car or a level viewing spot, making it one of the more accessible ways to experience something truly awe-inspiring. 

Because this is an outdoor, after-dark activity across a wide rural area, planning matters most here. Observatories and organised dark-sky events in the region often have their own accessible facilities, so it's worth checking the specific venue or event before you go, and wrapping up warm. 

Accessibility at a glance 

Find events and dark-sky spots on the Visit Northumberland dark skies page. 

Explore Autumn in a Car That Works for You 

Getting out and about starts with a car that fits your life, and the Motability Scheme makes that straightforward. If your lease is coming up for renewal, our specialist colleagues can help you find your next car, with a wide choice spanning petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles. 

We're always happy to talk through adaptations, answer any questions and arrange a test drive so you can be sure a car is right before you commit. Whatever this autumn holds, we'll help you get there comfortably. 

Explore the latest Motability Scheme cars or book an appointment at your nearest Motability dealership and our team will be glad to help. 

Accessible Autumn Days Out Frequently Asked Questions 

Do carers get free entry to these attractions? 

Many of the venues in this guide offer free entry for a carer or personal assistant accompanying a disabled visitor, including Westonbirt, WWT Slimbridge, The Kelpies, RHS Garden Bridgewater and the Eden Project. Policies vary between venues, and some ask for proof or advance notice, so it's always best to check the individual attraction's accessibility page before you visit. 

Can I hire a wheelchair or mobility scooter at these venues? 

Yes, most venues in this guide offer wheelchair or mobility scooter hire, though the details differ. Some, like Westonbirt and The Kelpies, offer free manual wheelchair loan, while others charge a small fee or deposit for powered scooters. Equipment is often in high demand, so booking in advance, sometimes several days or more, is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. 

Which autumn days out are best if the weather turns? 

For a day out that's largely undercover, the Eden Project in Cornwall is ideal, as its famous biomes house the world's largest indoor rainforest. The Great Glasshouse at the National Botanic Garden of Wales also offers a warm, sheltered retreat, while WWT Slimbridge has indoor observatories and hides. These make great choices when autumn showers are on the forecast. 

Are there Changing Places facilities at these attractions? 

Several venues in this guide have Changing Places facilities, which offer more space and equipment than a standard accessible toilet. These include Westonbirt, WWT Slimbridge, the Eden Project, Chatsworth, The Kelpies and the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Note that some, such as Chatsworth, require a radar key, so it's worth confirming details ahead of your visit. 

What should I check before visiting an accessible autumn day out? 

Before you travel, it's worth confirming a few things directly with the venue: whether mobility equipment needs booking in advance, where accessible parking is located, and whether any paths have gradients that might affect your route. Access provision can change, so checking the attraction's own accessibility page shortly before your visit is the best way to plan with confidence.