Best accessible beaches in the UK
Finding wheelchair accessible beaches to visit can be challenging; how do you know if a beach will be able to cater for your accessibility needs?
We have teamed up with Carrie-Ann Lightley, one of the UK’s leading accessible travel bloggers, to bring you a list of beaches in the UK which are wheelchair accessible. Carrie-Ann is also Head of Marketing at AccessAble; the UK’s leading provider of detailed disabled access information.
Wheelchair accessible beaches
Our list of wheelchair accessible beaches uses information taken from the AccessAble website, where Detailed Access Guides tell you all about a place’s access.
They are all 100 per cent facts, figures and photographs, and all of the details have been checked in person, on-site, by trained surveyors.
For each beach, we have added links to the main Access Guide, as well as links to Access Guides to hotels and B&Bs, restaurants and tourist attractions, so you can see everything on offer in each area.
Climping Beach, Littlehampton, West Sussex
Neighbouring Littlehampton and Bognor Regis, you can escape to Climping Beach for a quieter afternoon by the sea. With parking nearby, a cafe on-site and dogs allowed on the beach, it makes an ideal place to bring the whole family.
There is a ramp/slope leading from the car park to the beach and an accessible toilet in the car park.
West Beach, Littlehampton, West Sussex
West Beach is well known for its laid back atmosphere, and it's a great spot to relax with a picnic. On clear days you can enjoy views of neighbouring Bognor and even the Isle of Wight. West Beach is home to one of only three sand dune systems in West Sussex.
The beach parking is free for blue badge holders. The beach has various easy and moderates slopes throughout.
Access Guides
- Climping Beach Access GuideWest Beach Access Guide
- Accessible Hotels and B&Bs in Arundel, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
- Accessible Restaurants in Arundel, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
- Accessible Tourist Attractions in Arundel, Littlehampton and West Sussex
Corbet Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland
Corbet Lough is a premier 70-acre trout fishery set in the scenic County Down countryside against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains. It offers fantastic angling opportunities for local anglers and tourists alike.
The facilities at Corbet Lough include a boating dock and jetty, complete with six fishing boats and one wheely boat for use by disabled anglers. There are three fishing stands with wheelchair access, two timber shelters, and three angling platforms to the front restricted concession shore.
There is also a Boat Attendants fishing lodge with public toilet provision. You can also find picnic benches and a small grass area for relaxing and enjoying the picturesque surroundings.
Access Guides
- Corbet Lough Access Guide
- Accessible Hotels and B&Bs in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Accessible Restaurants in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Accessible Tourist Attractions in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Grassy Beach, Dundee
Grassy Beach is a 1.6km stretch of mixed-use path along the riverfront, from Broughty Ferry Road at the Eastern end of the Dundee port area to the edge of Broughty Ferry at Douglas Terrace. There are also two other pedestrian access points along the path. It is part of the city's Greenways Network and is used by pedestrians and cyclists.
The footpath surface is tarmac, and the majority of the path is 150cm. The path is lit at the edges by surface LED lights. The majority of the path is level or with an easy gradient.
There is one medium slope at the Douglas Terrace end, and Ogilvie Road is steep beyond the level crossing access. You will find some benches at regular locations along the path.
Access Guides
- Grassy Beach Access Guide
- Accessible Hotels and B&Bs in Dundee
- Accessible Restaurants in Dundee
- Accessible Tourist Attractions in Dundee
Seaburn Beach, Sunderland
Sunderland’s twin beaches at Roker and Seaburn are the perfect place to unwind. Whether you are looking for somewhere to let the kids run off some excess energy or to sit and relax with a picnic, there are miles of beautiful coastline from which to choose the best spot.
Roker and Seaburn's beaches have been favourite family spots for hundreds of years. The golden sands are a sandcastle builders paradise, and with lifeguards on duty, they are great for paddling. The wide-open promenade and landscaped seafront make for a perfect stroll in the sea air too.
Seaburn Promenade has ramp access, and a Changing Places accessible toilet is available.
Access Guides
- Seaburn Promenade Access Guide
- Accessible Hotels and B&Bs in Sunderland
- Accessible Restaurants in Sunderland
- Accessible Tourist Attractions in Sunderland
Shell Beach, Guernsey
Guernsey’s stunning Shell Beach has clear waters and sand that is made of millions of tiny shell fragments, which give the beach its name.
During the summer months, you can try out kayaking and paddleboarding, enjoy a tasty snack from the kiosk, or just simply sit and relax watching the world go by.
There is a very easy slope leading down to the beach and a gradual slope leading down to the water’s edge.
Access Guides
- Shell Beach Access Guide
- Accessible Hotels and B&Bs in Guernsey
- Accessible Restaurants in Guernsey
- Accessible Tourist Attractions in Guernsey
If you are visiting any of these beaches, download the free AccessAble App from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Follow Carrie-Ann on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her blog for updates.
Sign up to join the other 1,500 monthly subscribers to WavMob's monthly newsletter to receive the latest deals, wheelchair accessibility news updates and useful information.
Follow WavMob on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this article, you may wish to read the following: