Surrey is home to some of the most popular attractions for family days out in the UK, many of which have great accessibility measures. Age Space have carefully put together the following guide to our favourites, which range from historic landmarks to beautifully landscaped gardens, so there is sure to be an accessible day out for all the family to enjoy.
We have included details on the attraction, accessibility measures, prices and opening times so that you can plan a day out with your elderly relative.
You may also be interested in our page on Cultural Activities for the Elderly in Surrey which includes National Trust venues and silver screenings.
Brooklands Museum, Weybridge
Brooklands was the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation. It was home to many engineering advancements during the 20th century and is attached to the former Weybridge track – the first purpose built race track in the world. Across the site, there are various exhibitions including: Brooklands Aircraft Factory and Flight Shed, Motoring Village, Stratosphere Chamber, Racetrack, Aircraft Park & Clubhouse and London Bus Museum.
The museum is set up for family days out. There are interactive experiences for kids, a play park and indoor and outdoor picnic areas. The Sunbeam café on site serves delicious sandwiches and tea during the day. Throughout the year, there are specially themed events, please take a look at the events calendar.
In terms of accessibility, all Brooklands exhibitions are wheelchair accessible. However, there is no wheelchair access on board aeroplanes, which all have steps. The Concorde Simulator is fully accessible with ramped access.
For Brooklands Museum’s full accessibility statement, click here.
Parking
Disabled parking is available outside the main visitor entrance.
Guide Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum.
Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Hire
Three wheelchairs and a mobility scooter are available for visitors to hire for free. These may be reserved in advance of your visit.
Visual Aids
Tactile models and exhibits are available for visually impaired visitors. Please enquire at the Clubhouse reception for access on your visit.
Prices
- Adult: £20.85
- Child: £11.40
- Concession (65+): £19.95
Accompanying carers are admitted free of charge.
Opening Times
Summer
10:00am – 5:00pm
Winter
10:00am – 4:00pm
Last admission is one hour before closing. Times can vary depending on event days, so please check the website before your visit.
Contact
- Address: Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Rd, Weybridge, KT13 0SL
- Telephone: 01932 857381
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey
Outside the palace, there are beautiful gardens to be explored including the Great Fountain Gardens, Rose Gardens, Kitchen Gardens and maze. For kids to enjoy, there is an adventure playground named the Magic Garden. There are three dining options across site serving lunch, snacks and afternoon tea. You can also bring your own picnic and enjoy it in the gardens.
Special guided tours are available for those with mobility issues. There is lift access to the second floor of the palace.
For Hampton Court Palace’s full accessibility guide, click here.
Parking
There are 10 allocated parking bays for visitors with access needs in the on-site car park. Parking is currently free for Blue Badge holders.
Guide Dogs
All recognised guide, assistance or service dogs are welcome inside the palace. It is asked that they wear their designated jacket or lead slip.
Wheelchair and Scooter Hire
A number of wheelchairs are available for free use around the palace. Single-person mobility scooters are also available to borrow for use in the gardens. Please ask a member of staff at the entrance for details.
Visual & Hearing Aids
Audio tours for blind or partially sighted visitors are available in 2 areas: William III’s apartments and the Tudor Kitchens.
Braille guidebooks are available to borrow from the Information Centre. Artefacts in the Tudor Kitchen can be handled as they are replicas.
Induction loops can be found in 4 locations: ticket office, business reception, retail points and cafes.
Transcripts of audio guides can be found in the Information Centre and there are BSL Interpretation Tours available to join. These tours are included in the ticket price.
Prices
Peak
- Adult: £29.00
- Child: £13.10
- Concession (65+): £23.20
Off-Peak
- Adult: £26.30
- Child: £14.50
- Concession (65+): £23.20
Visitors are entitled to bring an accompanying carer free of charge. These adult carer tickets can only be obtained on the day, with proof of registered disability.
Opening Times
Opening times vary throughout the year, so it is worth visiting the website, here.
Contact
- Address: Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey, KT8 9AU
- Telephone: 020 3166 6000
- Visit Website
Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
Just outside Dorking, Denbies Wine Estate is the largest vineyard in England and represents more than 10% of plantings in the UK. Denbies is a captivating sight of acres and acres of vineyards rolling into the distant hills – not what you expect in the middle of Surrey! There are a number of tours and experiences you can book onto: indoor wine tasting, outdoor train tours, group tours and evening tours. Each include the opportunity to try some of Denbies’ speciality sparkling wine.
Denbies have made every effort to ensure all areas of the site are accessible to disabled visitors. There are ramps on trails where there is not level access and disabled toilets. The conservatory restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea; including kids options, meaning you can spend a whole day at Denbies. They also offer a range of Family Events suitable for children.
For Denbies Wine Estate’s full access statement, click here.
Parking
There are parking areas for disabled visitors near to the visitor entrance.
Guide Dogs
Guide dogs are permitted across site.
Wheelchair Hire
Denbies have four standard wheelchairs to lend out to customers. Please phone 01306 876616 to make a reservation with reception on the morning of your day of arrival.
Hearing aids
There is a hearing loop system in place for indoor tours and at the visitor entrance.
Prices
Prices at Denbies are dependent upon the tour you book onto. Please take a look at Denbies’ tours and experiences page for more information and to book tickets.
Opening Times
The opening times vary seasonally, so it’s worth taking a look at the ‘Opening Times’ page on the Denbies website.
Contract
- Address: Denbies Wine Estate Ltd, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA
- Telephone: 01306 742224
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Painshill Park, Cobham
Painshill Park is an award-winning 18th century landscape garden, centred around works of art and a lake. Paths around the site take you to see stunning views and garden buildings including the Gothic Temple, Painshill Vineyard, Ruined Abbey, Turkish Tent and Waterwheel.
Painshill provides a day out that the whole family can enjoy. For kids, there is a natural play area and wildlife spotting trails. You can bring a picnic or visit the Tea Rooms for afternoon tea. There is also a shop with an extensive range of gifts and souvenirs.
Painshill offer shorter accessible routes around the landscape garden, ideal for less mobile visitors or those using a wheelchair or buggy. Please note, this route does not cover the landscape completely, due to various terrains and ground levels. Download a copy of Painshill’s accessible route map here.
You can find Painshill Park’s full accessibility statement here.
Parking
There is disabled parking for Blue Badge holders near Painshill entrance. Parking is free for all visitors.
Guide Dogs
All dogs are allowed on short leads.
Wheelchair Hire
Painshill offer a wheelchair hire service for less able visitors to enjoy their visit as much as possible. These are free but offered on a first come, first serve basis so it is advised you call ahead to reserve on 01932 868 113.
Buggy Tours
For those travelling in a group of up to 5 less able visitors, Painshill provide a guided tour in one of their golf buggies. These tours last an hour and cost £15 (excluding admission fee). Please book at least 7 days in advance of your visit on 01932 868 113.
Prices
Below are the online booking prices for Painshill. It is worth booking in advance as you will save 20% of the on-the-door ticket cost.
- Adult: £10.00
- Child: £5.00
- Concession (over 65): £9.00
Companion of disabled persons go free.
Opening Times
Summer
- 10:00am - 6:00pm
Winter
- 10:00am - 4:00pm
Different areas of the site have slightly different opening times, please check opening times in advance of your visit.
Contact
- Address: Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JE
- Telephone: 01932 868113
- Contact Form
- Visit Website
Wisley Gardens, Woking
Wisley is the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The gardens are home to one of the largest plant collections in the world and change through every season. From the state-of-the-art Glasshouse to luscious rose gardens and the Exotic Garden, there is something for all garden enthusiasts to enjoy.
Kids love exploring the different environments, smells and colours. There are a wealth of options to enjoy a spot of lunch or cake and you can also bring your own picnic. For more information about what is on offer on site, explore the online interactive map.
Wisley aim to give as many people as possible the opportunity to enjoy the gardens, so there are extensive accessibility measures in place.
Parking
There is disabled parking available in car park 2, within 200m of the garden entrance. There is also a designated drop-off point 80m from the garden entrance.
Parking attendants are on hand to help Blue Badge holders to find a suitable spot during busy periods if disabled parking overflows.
Guide Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the gardens and buildings.
Wheelchair Hire
There are 20 manual wheelchairs available at the garden entrance. These are for ‘on the day’ use and are free of charge.
Mobility Scooter Hire
There are also a small number of mobility scooters available to hire free of charge at the garden entrance. Please call 01483 224234 in advance to reserve a scooter for your visit. Staff at the garden entrance will provide training and take a refundable deposit.
Visual & Hearing Aids
For the visually impaired, there are larger print maps available. Please ask staff at reception.
For the hearing impaired, there are hearing loops installed in the Welcome building visitor entrance.
Prices
- Adult: £16.50
- Child: £8.25
Entry is free for up to two carers when their support is necessary.
Opening Times
- Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
- Saturday - Sunday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Contact
- Address: Wisley Gardens, Wisley Ln, Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB
- Telephone: 01483 224234
- Visit Website
