Grab a pen and pull out your calendar - events are back with a bang. Summer ’22 is set to be the most inclusive yet, thanks to a surge in accessible venues and events. 

There’s no better way to spend your day than on your mobility scooter, enjoying everything from foodie festivals and live music, to thrilling sport.

We’ve saved you time by narrowing down this summer’s festivities to four of the most scooter friendly. The only thing you need to do is decide which one you’ll book first!

Accessible Summer Events 

Music
British Summer Time Hyde Park, London

BST Hyde Park is a fantastic option for those with a wide variety of accessibility requirements. Held on the Parade Ground in Hyde Park, this event is a popular London attraction renowned for hosting legendary music acts. This summer expect ten days of spectacular performances from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Adele. 

BST Hyde Park received the Gold Status award in 2019 for best practice by Attitude is Everything. This prestigious award illustrates a commitment to accessibility at a very high standard. 
 
Accessibility-friendly features include:
 
-       Dedicated, reservable viewing platforms
-       Separate, accessible entrances
-       Crowd limited areas
-       Spacious seating with unrestricted sight lines
-       Accessible bars and food stalls
-       Accessible toilets at every toilet block
-       Charging points for mobility aids
-       Blue Badge Parking for those who prebook, with a free buggy service from the car park to the dedicated accessible entrance 

To benefit from the above you’ll need to add your name to a waiting list and fill out a few forms. Once you’re done, you’ll be able to view a list of the available performances to choose from. 

An easy-to-read access map is available here. Those with carers or companions can request an extra ticket free of charge. 

Food
Pub in the Park, Nationwide

Enjoy good grub and great music from the comfort of your mobility scooter. Pub in the Park is chef Tom Kerridge’s food and music tour of the UK. Here, chefs and music legends collide at this brilliant family-first festival.

The festival runs from May through to September and will be hosted at nine venues across the UK. Enjoy chef demos and artisan food stalls, whilst the kids have fun in dedicated play areas.
 
150 dishes from 39 award winning UK restaurants will be served across Pub in the Park locations. Try a Michelin-approved steak and ale pie from Tom Kerridge’s The Hand and Flowers pub, or Paul Ainsworth’s ‘Rock chips’, fresh from The Mariners Public House.
 
Once you’ve had your foodie fill head over to the main stage for live music. Top acts this year include Sister Sledge, Faithless, Craig David, Rag'n'Bone Man, Supergrass and Melanie C.
 
Accessibility is prioritised at all 9 venues this year. On-site support includes:
 
-       Accessible views to the stages
-       A complimentary ticket for your carer or companion 
-       Fast tracked, dedicated entrances
-       Blue Badge Parking
 
See here for more information.

Arts & Culture
The Fringe Festival, Edinburgh   

The world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a 3-week celebration of art and culture. From amateurs to TV favourites, the Fringe has something for everyone. 

Take you mobility scooter along for the ride and experience a multitude of genres spread across the city’s many venues. Create your own run of show by picking the acts and venues that best suit your tastes and schedule. Your Fringe experience is what you make of it!

The Fringe works closely with Attitude is Everything to set a high standard of accessibility across all shows. In 2019 the Fringe won the charity’s ‘Big Ambition Award’ for their success so far in innovating accessibility at live events. 

Venues tend to be non-traditional theatre spaces, such as pubs, clubs and street corners. The Fringe actively encourages all shows to achieve a high standard of care and consideration when it comes to accessibility, regardless of venue type. They do this through dedicated training and competitive award schemes. 

Accessible highlights include: 

-    Dedicated box office service for those seeking accessibility advice 
-    A complimentary ticket for your carer or companion  
-    Detailed listings of shows that are accessible 
-    Accessible changing spaces/toilets

This year marks the festival’s 75-year anniversary, so expect a riot of creativity and celebration. Show tickets range in price but many performances are free. Visit the Fringe from the 5th to the 29th of August.

See here for more information. 

Sports
Commonwealth Games, Birmingham

International sport comes to the UK this year as we welcome the Commonwealth Games to Birmingham in July. It’s been 20 years since the UK hosted this incredible, multisport event. After such a long wait, the UK is ready for 11 days of spectacular entertainment.  

The games will be hosted by Birmingham city, but venues will span across the West Midlands. This means that world-class sport will be brought to an amazingly diverse community. The games will bring 72 countries together, showcasing incredible talent from over 4,500 athletes in 283 medalled events. 

Birmingham is committed to providing an inclusive, fully accessible show to all guests. Attending the event with your mobility scooter is possible thanks to:

-    Designated entrance and exits for those with mobility requirements 
-    Easy access and wheelchair seating at all venues
-    One complimentary ticket for a carer or companion 
-    Blue Badge Parking

Early ticket ballots were hugely successful but there are still plenty of games to watch. See more information here. 

Top Tips For Taking Your Mobility Scooter to an Event 

1.    Contact the organiser ahead of time to let them know that you and your mobility scooter will be attending their event. They will be able to talk you through their accessibility pledge and help you to prepare for your visit 

2.    If you’re using your car to transport your car boot or collapsible mobility scooter, sign up to the venue’s Blue Badge Parking scheme. This guarantees you a parking spot that is close to an accessible entry point 

3.    Request a copy of the venue’s map before you arrive to familiarise yourself with accessible features, including dedicated entry/exits and quiet zones  

4.    Don’t leave home without a full charge on your mobility scooter batteries. Take your battery charger with you if the venue has designated charging areas for mobility aids. For more advice on your scooter batteries see our guide here.

5.    If you’re using public transport to get to the event, always check that your mobility scooter is eligible for travel. For more advice on using your scooter on public transport see our guide here.

6.    Check that your tyres are fully inflated and puncture-free before you set off. Many summer events take place outside, so you’ll need your wheels to be in tip-top condition. See our top tips for scooter care here.