The North
IN AND AROUND LIVERPOOL
The Liver Building viewed from the River Mersey
Liverpool is a bustling vibrant city with a wealth of heritage, art, culture, music and two cathedrals, it is also offers a diverse and comprehensive retail experience.
The shopmobility scheme which is located on the third floor of the Liverpool One Car Park has mobility scooters (and other mobility equipment) for hire which can be used to visit both the shopping centre and the city centre visitor attractions.
Merseytravel publish an Easy Access Booklet for public transport in the city telephone 0151 227 5161 for further information.
For accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page and for more information on the city's many accessible attractions please read on.
The Albert Dock
The Albert Dock showing the Collonades
The Albert Dock contains a selection of cafes and shops and is home to a variety of visitor attractions. There are designated toilets adjacent to Bugworld and designated parking in front of the dock and in the nearby multi-storey car park.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Bug World Experience
Checking out the Savanna Zone
Bug World Experience is an interactive science and discovery centre specialising in insects and the impact they have on our environment and lives. It is a great all weather attraction which is both fun and educational for visitors of all ages.
The handling area
After a short introductory video it is possible to explore in more detail the seven zones of different habitats and locations that are highlighted within the centre. Visitors also get a chance to handle some of the creatures featured with the assistance of the experienced and informative staff.
Unfortunately this attraction has temporarily closed. They are hoping to relocate so we will keep updated with events as they happen.
The Beatles Story
Getting some friendly assistance from 'Paul' at the entrance
Located in the Brittania Vaults, this unique attraction offers visitors an insight into the lives and personalities of four local lads who became the legend we know as The Beatles. Following an extensive refurbishment a couple of years ago, there is now a separate entrance and exit (with two lifts) for visitors who need easier access avoiding the steps.
Some of the wealth of memorabilia and artefacts on display
The extended exhibition features recreations of 1960's record shops, the famous Cavern and a street in Hamburg. Also included is John Lennon's 'White Room' and four separate areas exploring the diverse personalities and music of the indvidual members of the band.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Mersey Beaks
(one of a series of penguin sculptures that were commissioned for a celebratory public art event in 2009)
There is a second site at the Pierhead, a few minutes away along the waterfront where visitors can enjoy a 3D video theatre experience or visit the fab four store.
For more detailed information about accessibility at the Pierhead please click here
The Merseyside Maritime Museum
The entrance to the Maritime Museum
The extremely interesting Maritime Museum that is also located on the Albert Dock explores the city's major role in Britain's seafaring history. There is good access to the galleries that are spread over 4 floors of the building and which cover a wide range of maritime themes including life at sea during the two world wars.
The Shackleton Exhibition
The International Slavery Museum is also housed within the building and is devoted to the history and issues that surround the transatlantic slave trade and what has happened in the modern world for people with African origins whose descent can be traced back to this period.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
The Museum of Liverpool which also will be located in this area is currently under construction and is planned to be opened in 2011.
Tate Liverpool
Tate Liverpool
The Liverpool base of Tate Galleries is also located on the Albert Dock. It opened in 1988 and displays modern and contemporary artwork from the Tate collection alongside a programme of special exhibitions located on the fourth floor.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Liverpool One
Chavasse Park
Liverpool One is a large retail/dining complex within the city centre which is spread over 3 levels and has its own park with a funfair. There is a very large car park located below the complex and located on level 3 is Shopmobility where visitors with more limited mobility can loan mobility equipment to be able to access the shops and attractions more easily.
The complex has wide streets and easy access
There is an information centre and accessible toilets with a 'changing place' located in Wall Street. As well as a wide range of shops, there is a large selection of places to eat out offering a range of different cuisines.
For more accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
The World Museum Liverpool
The World Museum
The World Museum is also located within the city centre near the bus and railway stations. It has many galleries spread over 5 floors and offers an amazing visitor experience for people of all ages. The exhibitions range from the history of Egypt through Natural History and Time to an Aquarium and the interactive botanical 'Plantastic' plus lots more.
One of the Dinosaur Exhibits on the 3rd floor
General access around the Museum is good with two glass lifts and some internal ramps. There is a shop, cafe, restaurant and picnic room on site. With so much to see and do visitors would be advised to allow a whole day here to fully enjoy all that is on offer.
For further accessibility information and a link to the Museum's own website please click here.
The Walker Art Gallery
The Gallery Entrance
The Walker Art Gallery is situated adjacent to the World Museum and houses a large collection of paintings and sculpture which dates from the 13th century through to the present day. Wheelchair access is via a ramp located to the side of the steps.
The Craft and Design Gallery
As well as the permanent collections there is a packed programme of temporary exhibitions, activities and events which are detailed on the Gallery's website. A shop and cafe are located on the ground floor.
For further accessibility information and a link to the Gallery's own website please click here
National Conservation Centre
The Entrance to the Centre
This Museum is also located in the city centre just a short wheel/walk form the World Museum and is well worth a visit. It explains the story behind the preservation and restoration of many of the wide ranging artifacts in the City Museum's care.
Many of the exhibits have an audio commentary
General access is good with a lift to the upper floors and there is excellent access to the interactive exhibits. Some of the latter also have automatic audio commentaries which could be particularly enjoyable for visitors with a visual impairment.
For further accessibility information and a link to the City Museum's website page about the Centre please click here.
Liverpool Cathedral
The Cathedral towers above the city
The foundation stone for the Anglican Cathedral was laid in 1904 however the building was not fully completed until 1978. It is located in an elevated position on St James's Mount above the city and is an extremely impressive place to visit as it is the largest Cathedral in the UK and the fifth largest in the world.
The High Altar
The cathedral has undergone some major accessibility improvements recently and provides an interesting and thought provoking visitor experience. As well as the refectory which serves home made hot meals there is a new mezzanine cafe with its own lift.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King
The Cathedral from the garden
The Metropolitan Cathedral was completed in 1967 and is a very unusual circular building with the altar set in the centre. There is an underground car park (accessed off Mount Pleasant) which has a lift to the main building alternatively there is a ramp leading up from the adjacent garden.
The Statue of Abraham at the Metropolitan Cathedral
Surrounding the awe inspiring and beautiful main auditorium are small side chapels, each with their own beauty and offering a private space for contemplation or prayer. The Cathedral has recently undergone some major improvements to accessiblity and there is now lift access down to the Crypt (designed by Sir Edward Lutyens) and the Treasury.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Sudley House
The entrance to Sudley House
Sudley House is 19th century property that once belonged to a former Mayor of Liverpool. It is one of 8 museums managed by the City Council and has undergone extensive refurbishment to improve accessibility for all its visitors.
Using one of the touch screen audio/visual room guides.
There is a lift to allow easier access to the upper floor where there is a small exhibiton of childhood memorabalia and a programme of costume exhibitions featuring items from the museums collections.
For more detailed accessiblity information and a link to the City Museums website please click here
Otterspool Park and Promenade
The entrance to the Park
Just a short drive away from Sudley House is Otterspool Park and Otterspool promenade which is a 6.8 km accessible trail along the banks of the River Mersey back to the waterfront by the Pierhead Building in the city centre.
Our researcher checking out the map
There are two pubs along the route which serve food all day and have accessible toilets. The trail is level and the maps explain points of interest along the way and there are excellent views over the Wirral which is the area on the opposite shore.
For more detailed accessibility information about the trail and location details please click here
Speke Hall
Speke Hall
Approximately 10 miles from the city centre near The John Lennon Airport is Speke Hall which is owned and managed by the National Trust. It is one of the most famous timber framed houses in England and has superb grounds and gardens.
The South Lawn Garden at Speke Hall
Entrance to the property is via the ticket office at Home Farm where there is also a shop and cafe. The House is over 400 years old and has seen a turbulent history and the knowledgeable and informative room guides offer visitors an insight into it's past. There is good accessibility for wheelchair users to the ground floor and the beautiful gardens and grounds. (NB The upper floor is accessed by two staircases located at either end of the building).
For more detailed accessibility information, a link to their own website and suggestions of accessible accommodation nearby please click here.
National Wildfower Centre
Our researcher by the entrance to the Centre
This centre, which is located in Court Hey Park at Knowlsey five miles from the city centre, offers visitors a colourful and enjoyable way to understand more about the relationship and importance of our own native wildflowers in our food chains and also explains about the biodiversity of our plant life. It is also involved in the research and preservation of the flora of the British Isles.
An unusual floral display showing the ability of plants to grow anywhere
Access around the site is good with ramps down to the wildflower meadows and the pond area. There is also a cafe (selling light meals and excellent cakes), a plant nursery and a shop.
For further information about accessibility at the Centre and a link to their own website please click here.
Catalyst Science and Discovery Centre
Catalyst
Approximately 7 miles away just over the border into Cheshire at Widnes is Catalyst which is a Science and Discovery Centre offering visitors of all ages an amazing interactive exploration of the world of Chemistry. This attraction is located at Spike Island which was the birthplace of the Chemical Indusstry during the latter part of the 19th century.
The video microscope
The Centre is spread over four floors with an glass observatory on the top floor. A great deal of effort has been made to provide access for all visitors e.g. there are exhibits with a tactile, audio or olfactory element using the senses of touch, hearing and smell. Some of the computer consoles have a roller ball mouse, other exhibits such as the video microscope pictured above require very little manual dexterity to operate.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Mersey Ferries
Mersey Ferries 'Snowdrop' approaching the dock at Woodside
Mersey Ferries operate from 3 terminals, Woodside in Birkenhead, Seacombe just a little further up the river in Wallasey and the Pierhead Terminal on the other side of the river in Liverpool. It takes approximately one hour to complete a round trip to and from the Terminal of your choice.
6 hour trips along the Manchester Ship Canal are also regularly available but these need to be pre-booked.
The Liverpool shoreline from the ferry
There is an interesting audio commentary played during the voyage which explains some of the history of the city and points of interest on view. N.B. for visitors with a hearing impairment this is much clearer out on deck rather than in the lounge area.
For more detailed accessibility information including boarding the ferry and a link to their own website please click here.
The U-Boat Story
Looking at one of the sections of the U-Boat
The U-Boat Story Experience is based at Mersey Ferries Woodside Terminal and offers visitors a unique opportunity to see inside a German WW2 U-Boat that was sunk off the coast of Denmark in 1945. U - 534 was a training vessel during the war years and when she began to sink from depth charge damage following an RAF attack, the crew escaped. After lying on the sea bed for over 40 years she was raised in 1993.
One of the interactive exhibits showing how submarines submerge
Particular attention has been paid to ensure that all visitors can fully enjoy the exhibition including the wide variety of artefacts and the audio/visual display showing the history of the U- Boat and the seamen who worked and lived on board.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Spaceport
Spaceport Entrance
Spaceport is an interactive science and discovery centre offering visitors a chance to explore the mysteries of space and interplanetary travel. It is located adjacent to Mersey Ferries 'Seacombe' terminal in Wallasey just across the River Mersey from Liverpool.
Our researcher with Wallace and Gromit
This attraction has good general access with two lifts to the upper floor where the Wallace and Gromit exhibition is housed.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Lady Lever Art Gallery
The gallery was created by William Hesketh Lever in memory of his wife Elizabeth and contains the best of his personal art collection. It includes many fine examples of 18th and 19th century paintings, Wedgewood and Chinese porcelain and outstanding sculpture.
One of the two circular sculpture galleries
Access for all visitors has been improved over recent years and there is now a ramp to the main entrance of the building and a lift to the lower ground floor where the restaurant and shop are located.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Port Sunlight Museum and Garden Village
The fountain adjacent to the Museum
Port Sunlight Museum is managed by an independent charitable trust that is responsible for preserving and promoting the model village of Port Sunlight which was created by William Hesketh Lever in 1888. His plan was to create a better home and leisure environment for the workers in his Sunlight soap factory. It explores the history of the village and the production of the famous soap products that were produced in the factory.
The houses within the village reflect many period of architecture and design
Visitors to the village can book combined guided tours for both the museum and the village or are free to wander around and enjoy this peaceful and enchanting realisation of a Victorian Philanthropists dream. Please remember that the village is still a thriving community with a public house and restaurant and many leisure facilities and so respect the residents right to personal privacy.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Martin Mere
One of the many ponds in the Captive Wildfowl Area at Martin Mere
Just off of the A59 at Burscough Bridge approximately seventeen miles north of Liverpool is Martinmere a wetlands centre owned by The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. The visitor centre has a cafe and shop and designated toilets with a changing place facility.
Excellent viewing from the hides
The main area has hard surfaced paths and the wider area out to the furthest hides has compacted gravelled paths where manual wheelchair users may require some assistance. This is a large site and has plenty of interest for a whole days entertainment.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Knowsley Safari Park
Our researchers checking out the extensive 'walk around' area
Knowsley Safari Park has a five mile safari drive with animals roaming freely throughout their large enclosures. On the safari drive you will encounter Lions, tigers, hunting dogs, bison, wildebeest, camel, white rhino, baboons and many more animals. An audio guide (cd) which our researchers found very informative is available from reception to accompany the drive and also provides information on accessible toilets and disabled parking.
'Sunbathing Meerkats' an example of the many animals on display in the parks 'walk around' area
The Park also has an extensive ‘walk around’ area giving visitors the opportunity to view some of the animals from outside of their car. In this area you can see elephants, giraffe, meerkats, otters, domestic species in the Lake Farm, the inhabitants of the Bug House, the Sea lion show and during the summer holidays you can also enjoy their bird of prey displays. Also on site are a fully accessible shop, cafe and picturesque lakeside railway.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
PLACES TO STAY
All but one of the accommodations included have been assessed by one of our wheelchair user researchers for accessibility. Please note however whilst we have tried to ensure that the accommodation included will meet most wheelchair users needs we strongly advise you to consult with each provider about your own specific requirements.
N.B. As previously stated our researchers assess for accessibility not quality so for accommodation inspection gradings e.g. Diamond ratings, follow the links to each providers own website.
Express by Holiday Inn Liverpool - Albert Dock
The Albert Dock
The Express by Holiday Inn Hotel is located in the Britannia Building at the Albert Dock and would make an ideal base for exploring the city and the surrounding area. It is adjacent to several visitor attractions and within easy wheeling distance of the Liverpool One shopping centre and other city centre attractions.
The Hotel lounge
The hotel has two designated accessible rooms with en-suite wet-rooms, one of which also has an adjoining room with an interconnecting door that could be suitable for family members or carers/personal assistants. The rooms both have excellent views across the dock.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Jury's Inn Liverpool
Jury's Inn Liverpool
Jury's Inn Liverpool is located opposite the Albert Dock and adjacent to the Echo Arena and Convention Centre. It is within wheeling distance of many of the city's visitor attractions and also the Liverpool One shopping experience.
The Hotel Lounge
The hotel has 15 designated accessible rooms with en-suite wet-rooms which are located over 5 floors. Those our researchers checked out had excellent views of the Echo Wheel of Liverpool which is also located in front of the hotel.
General access throughout the hotel is good including the restaurant, bar and lounge area and there are several lifts to the upper floors.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Base2Stay - Liverpool
Base2Stay Liverpool Hotel
Base2stay Liverpool is located in the beating heart of Liverpool's city centre, with a no-step entrance and lift access to all floors the hotel has a number of Superior and Deluxe rooms with facilities specially designed for guests with special needs. NB This hotel has not yet been assessed by DHI researchers.
One of the hotel shower rooms
The hotel is located in amongst the RopeWalks village (which is home to is home to much of Liverpool’s history and culture, including the oldest Chinatown in Europe), next to the Liverpool One Shopping Centre, and amongst some of the trendiest restaurants, bars and clubs in the city. Many of Liverpool’s main points of interest are within walking distance of the hotel including the Albert Dock, the River Mersey waterfront and the Beatles Story Museum.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here