Travel and Things To Do
6 Mobility-Friendly Things To Do in August
10th July, 2019
We're getting excited about the month of August! To get ready for it we've made a list of exciting bucket list-worthy events to inspire you this summer. For each, we have included their mobility friendly facilities so everyone can join in with the summer fun.
The South West
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – 8th-11th August
Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest hot air balloon event. The dawn and dusk balloon take-offs are a special spectacle that you should not miss this summer!
The 4-day festival takes place on the Ashton Court Estate and includes morning and early evening flights at 6 pm, (you’ll have to get up pretty early for the morning lift off as it starts at 06:00!!). The evening is filled with the fantastic ‘nightglow’ which you can only really experience properly in person and fireworks on selected days.
Witness 150 hot air balloons, of all different shapes, sizes and colours set off in front of the beautiful Bristol skyline. Now one of the UK’s top 5 outdoor visitor attractions, the Balloon fiesta attracts 1000s of people every year and the best thing about it is that it’s completely free!
Other attractions include fairground rides, food stalls, bars, face painting and acoustic music. You can also book a helicopter or balloon ride if you’re lucky enough. Click here for more information.
Accessibility
The fiesta takes place on the rolling parkland of the Ashton Court Estate this means that the majority of the park is grassland. There are a number of tarmac paths and limited temporary roads for easy access to the festival.
You can purchase a disabled parking space on the official website, which is accessible via Gate 6. There are also accessible viewing areas, but due to high demand, we recommend that you pre-book these too on the website. Each ticket allows for one disabled person and one carer. There are also disabled toilet available.
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has partnered with Event Mobility who will be providing electric scooters or manual wheelchairs for the event for people with mobility issues. Book these online here.
South Wales
Green Man Festival - 15th-18th August
The Green Man festival is a wonderful family-friendly heap of fun! The event takes place on the Glanusk Estate in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The headliners include Four Tet, Farther John Misty, Eels and Stereolab.
There is also a plethora of other entertainment including comedy, talks, relaxation zones, food areas and exploration gardens. You can also book family yoga classes and sauna and hot tub access! For more information click here.
Accessibility
Green man has made a huge effort to make sure that their festival is disabled friendly. However, note that the grounds are mostly grass. There is a tarmac road that links the entertainment areas to the middle level of the event site and a hardstanding trackway that leads up to the higher level. Because of the gradient of the site, Green man recommends the use of electric wheelchairs rather than manual.
Mobility scooters are available to hire from Event Mobility. The Accessible Camping Area is positioned next to the Family Camping Area. There are also accessible showers, toilets information points, 24h charging points for powered chairs and fridges to store medication
If you need a personal assistant there is a 2 for 1 ticket scheme. You can also purchase accessible campsite vehicle pass, car pass and viewing platform wristband.
Ponty’s Big Weekend - 17th August
Ponty’s Big Weekend will be located in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd. Headliners include Ocean Colour Scene, Bluetones, Goldie Lookin’ Chain and other upcoming Welsh bands. The day of live music is returning after a 5-year break, this is one not to miss!
Accessibility
Accessible tickets are available for people with limited mobility via Ticketmaster and it’s free to bring an accessible companion.
The Midlands
The Shrewsbury Flower show 9th-10th August
If you can't make the Chelsea Flower Show, The Shrewsbury Flower Show is a delightful 2-day family attraction filled with floral displays, celebrity chefs and fireworks. As one of the country’s premier flower show, it’s no wonder that it has reached its 132nd show.
Other entertainment includes a performance from Scouting for Girls, Lectures from gardening experts and a performance from the motorcycle display team, The Imps. Click here for more information.
Accessibility
Mobility equipment can be hired from Salop Mobility. You are able to bring an assistant carer for free when you purchase a general advanced day ticket. There is disabled parking available at Frankwell Car Park where a disability shuttle bus will take you to the showground.
In terms of wheelchair accessibility, there is disabled viewing available for the main arena for wheelchair users, although there is limited space. For FAQs click here.
Summer Night’s Film Festival 22nd – 26th August
The Summer Night’s Film festival is set in the beautiful heritage location of Wollaton Park. Enjoy all your favourite movies on the outdoor screen with the stunning backdrop of Wollaton Hall, a spectacular Elizabethan mansion. Make sure to book your tickets here.
Choose films from:
- Thursday 22 August - A Star Is Born (15)
- Friday 23 August - Bohemian Rhapsody (12A)
- Saturday 24 August - Labyrinth (U)
- Sunday 25 August - Purple Rain (15)
- Monday 26 August - Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (PG)
Don’t forget to come prepared. Because it is an outdoor performance, please bring a chair or rug as there is no formal seating and clothes to keep you warm.
Accessibility
Accessible toilets are available. There is a car park with designated blue badge parking places. The event is accessible via the access route which will have no vehicle movement after the box office has been opened.
Leicester Caribbean Carnival - 3rd August
The Leicester Caribbean Carnival was founded in 1985 to celebrate the diverse Caribbean culture in the city and to keep the culture alive. It’s estimated that 80,000 follow the parade route. It starts in Victoria Park and parades around the city.
Victoria Park is the main Carnival Village host. There you can expect food stalls selling Caribbean favourites like jerk chicken, curry goat and run punch. Click here for more information.
Accessibility
Victoria Park has a variety of winding paths, making it easy to access the festivities in the park and wheelchair friendly.
