Bath is one of the UK’s most historic cities, with some sites dating back thousands of years. However, despite the city's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath is accessible to all, including neurodiverse visitors and those with physical disabilities or impairments.
Mobility Equipment Hire
Daily hire of mobility equipment is available from Assured Mobility on Hot Bath Street, which offers wheelchairs, scooters, power chairs, riser chairs, profiling beds, personal care, footwear, bath aids, accessible bathroom adaptations, stairlifts and more. The store is fully accessible with disabled parking bays and a dropped kerb close by. Some individual venues also offer limited numbers of mobility equipment to visitors who book in advance.
Changing Places Toilets in Bath
There are five public Changing Places toilets in Bath – find out more about the scheme and view locations here.
Blue Badge Parking in Bath
Bath’s compact city centre is easily accessible, with most of the city’s major attractions, hotels and eateries situated very close together. There are several car parks within the centre offering several accessible spaces for Blue Badge holders – please find a full list here.
Vehicles are restricted on several streets in Bath city centre as part of the Bath City Centre Security scheme. These include Abbey Green, Abbeygate Street, Bath Street, Beau Street, Cheap Street, Hot Bath Street, Lower Borough Walls, Parsonage Lane, Saw Close, Stall Street, Swallow Street, Upper Borough Walls, Westgate Street, and York Street. Blue Badge holders will be permitted access to these streets with entry on Cheap Street - find out more on the Council website.
Accessible Transport in Bath
All public buses operating in the Bath area welcome recognised assistance animals, and are fully wheelchair accessible. Most bus stops in Bath feature raised pavements, which work in conjunction with low-floor buses to provide level access; drivers can also provide ramps on request. All buses have dedicated spaces for wheelchair users on board.
Find out more about travelling around Bath
Accessible Attractions in Bath
Bath’s acclaimed attractions put accessibility front and centre, by making every effort to ensure that neurodiverse visitors and those with physical disabilities can fully enjoy their offerings. However, due to the listed status and heritage nature of several buildings in Bath, certain areas unfortunately remain inaccessible for wheelchair users.
Attractions across the city are working to ensure that these limited access spaces are kept to a minimum, while introducing virtual tours which provide an alternative means of experiencing restricted areas. Some are also opening exciting new fully accessible spaces to explore, such as Bath Abbey's purpose-built Discovery Centre.
Various Bath attractions are keen to ensure that their experiences are accessible to neurodiverse visitors. Many venues will be happy to share their quieter opening times with you, or help you find quiet spaces if needed during your visit. Some also provide useful additional downloadable resources such as maps which help you to identify all the sensory-friendly spaces on their sites, and visual stories to help you plan your visit and get a feel for what you will experience.
The city’s attractions also have a range of provisions for visitors with visual impairments, such as audio guides, tactile models, large print guides. Those with hearing impairments can take advantage of facilities including hearing loops, Braille information panels, British Sign Language guides, and many more. Assistance dogs and even some puppies in training are welcomed at most of Bath’s major attractions.
Many attractions also offer complimentary entry to carers or personal assistants accompanying visitors with additional needs.
Find out about accessible things to do in Bath
Accessible Hotels and Accommodation in Bath
Visitors with access needs will be pleased to know that Bath’s stunning selection of accommodation venues can provide all the facilities necessary to stay in the city comfortably. Many offer accessible bedrooms with built-in facilities including wet rooms, wheel-in showers, lowered sinks, grab rails, and vibrating pillows allowing those with hearing impairments to feel safe in case of a fire.
You’ll also find additional features which will make your visit more convenient, such as adjoining rooms, level access, ramps and lifts. Several luxury hotels in Bath and its surrounding areas also have spa facilities which are fully accessible to wheelchair users, with separate disabled changing rooms.
Many Bath hotels will find quiet spaces in their public areas such as on-site restaurants and lobbies for you on request, with some also providing a 24-hour room service if you’d prefer to stay in the peace of your room.
Find out more about accessible places to stay in Bath
Accessible Places to Eat and Drink in Bath
Visitors with access needs are also well catered for at Bath’s food and drink venues, many of which offer accessibility features which allow everyone to enjoy the city’s culinary delights. In addition to step-free access and accessible toilets, some eateries provide large print menus for those with visual impairments, and quiet spaces for neurodiverse guests if required. Assistance dogs are also welcome at certain venues, and there may even be a treat or two in it for them at some!
Find out more about accessible places to eat and drink in Bath
In many cases, businesses can make additional provisions when given advance notice, so please contact them directly for more information.
Read Visit Bath's website Accessibility Statement here.
FAQs
Are there accessible parking facilities in the city centre?
Yes - all of Bath's city centre car parks feature disabled parking bays. The highest numbers can be found at the Charlotte Street and Avon Street car parks, which feature 24 and 11 respectively. Find out more on the Bath & North East Somerset Council website.
Are guide dogs and service animals allowed in tourist attractions and restaurants?
Yes - most of Bath’s main attractions and eateries welcome guide/assistance dogs and other service animals, but we recommend checking individual venues' websites to confirm. You can also view our Accessible Things to Do and Accessible Places to Eat and Drink pages to get some inspiration.
How do I obtain a Blue Badge for my visit to Bath?
Visitors can obtain a Blue Badge for their visit to Bath by completing an online application form on the UK Government website.
Are there accessible walking routes in Bath city centre?
Yes. Bath's city centre is compact, largely pedestrianised, and mostly flat, with dropped curbs and crossings throughout. The fully accessible Bath Spa railway station and Bath Bus Station are both based a short distance from the main attractions, shops and eateries.