Index and comprehensive map reveals the most accessible UK cities
Mobility retailer CareCo has put together an index and a comprehensive map and results backed in data to reveal where in the UK the most accessible cities are.
CareCo has looked at ‘accessibility’ as something defined by how easy or difficult it is for people to visit restaurants, attractions, toilets, accommodation and parking if they, for example, used a mobility scooter or wheelchair.
Its full methodology of how it has put this research together is available further down the article.
CareCo has researched data to find out where the UK’s most accessible cities are. It found that St Davids in Wales is the most accessible city based on an index which looked at a variety of metrics which was then given proportionate representation.
Using the data, CareCo created maps of the most accessible and least accessible cities in the UK. It says it has been as accurate as possible with the data and used a fair scoring system to gain these results, with the methodology below.
CareCo took each UK city and worked out the population of each then assigning it a percentage score. It then used this to give a proportionate representation of each city.
For the overall score for each city, it combined the number of accessible toilets, accessible accommodation, accessible attractions, accessible restaurants, and accessible parking, dividing this by population percentages.
St Davids is the smallest city in Britain, which can’t be ignored, but it also indexed high on accessible restaurants, parking, accommodation and attractions in comparison to other cities.
Although every care has been taken to ensure that the data is accurate, from October 2024, due to the nature of using crowd sourced maps and data sources that are subject to change, the results provided as accurate as possible at time of research.
The research also meant CareCo discovered other data points including the most accessible restaurants, parking, accommodation, toilets and attractions.
Although it applied a fair population metric, it has removed London from accessible restaurants, parking, accommodation and toilet facilities because it felt saturated due to density.
The research showed that London is ahead of most of the country when it comes to accessibility in certain fields. London topped the charts for restaurants, parking, accommodation and even toilet facilities.
CareCo has also taken into consideration that London is a highly densely populated area of the UK, but the study also shows that it is, regardless of density, London is a huge leader in accessibility.
According to our research 4886 restaurants in London are wheelchair accessible, that works out as a new one every day for over 13 years.
It’s positive to see the UK capital leading the way, and it sets a benchmark for the rest of the country. However, even when accounting for a population of around 8.9 million people living in London, which is 15 per cent more dense than the rest of the UK, according to Trust for London, there is still significant access for people with mobility needs.
Whilst the research shows the UK can be proud of how accessible it is as a country, there are always going to be steps to take to improve accessibility and London is a great example of where all UK cities should aim to be.
St Davids in Wales has a range of accessible attractions, and for a small population, it has strong accessibility options.
St Davids Cathedral offers options to park on-site for drivers with disabilities when pre-booked, or to be dropped off at the South Porch if arranged in advance.
It has loop systems installed, toilets suitable for disabled visitors, disabled parking and the option to accommodate any further accessibility requirements by ringing ahead.
Oriel y Parc is another attraction which is across one level with lift access to access the gallery and tower and has mobility scooters and wheelchairs available.
One of the most accessible cities in Scotland according to our data, Inverness has a range of accessible options and has some of the best accessible accommodation options outside of London.
Ness Walk is rated by Booking.com as one of the best accessible hotels in Inverness offering three accessible rooms, one on the ground floor with level access and others step-free with accessible bathrooms.
The restaurant is also on the ground floor with level access. Eden court is also great for entertainment and offers a cinema with level access and seating.
According to the data, Chichester came out as one of the most accessible cities in England overall.
The research shows there is a good range of accessible hotels available, and Chichester festival Theatre, a popular theatre, prides itself on accessibility by offering relaxed and dementia friendly performances alongside wheelchair access and loop system at all performances.
They also offer an access list membership, open to anyone with a disability.
Ely offers a range of accessibility and prides itself on accessibility. With a Cathedral that is often noted as having excellent disabled access from traveller reviews, and a strong range of accessible hotels, CareCo says Ely is often cited as one of the most accessible cities.
Ely also has Dial-a-Ride services which use accessible minibuses, which have a membership fee and needs booking in advance.
CareCo says York offers central hotels with excellent accessibility options for those who wish to stay, and a range of museums and attractions in which are accessibility friendly.
The minster prides itself of being accessible, and most of the building is accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter.
The National Railway Museum in York also offers many accessible features on-site including ear defenders, hearing loops, large-print maps, and mobility scooters to hire.
Alongside this staff are trained in dementia awareness, deaf awareness, neurodiversity and disability equality.
CareCo celebrated becoming certified in accordance with a number of ISO standards last year.
