Accessible and Inclusive Events in Bristol and Bath

We are committed to making our region as accessible and inclusive as possible so that every delegate can feel welcome, safe and able to participate fully. If you or any of your team or delegates have specific access and inclusion needs, we aim to provide as much useful information as possible to help with planning your event and further exploration of the area.

Contact the Visit West Convention Bureau team.

Choosing the right accessible venue for your event in Bristol and Bath

Our venue listings have accessibility information, which you can filter in searches, and the Convention Bureau team is always happy to discuss particular requirements for delegates.

Some key venue features to look out for may include: step-free access, accessible toilets, hearing loop systems, clearly marked signage with strong colour contrast and quiet or sensory-friendly breakout spaces. Many venues offer accessibility statements, which we can help you with, as well as arranging site visits.

Additional accessible services for events

Once you’ve chosen the right venue, you might want to consider additional services to make your event as inclusive as possible. These might include venue staff disability awareness training for your event production team, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters or live captioning (CART services).

Catering and Dietary inclusion

You can use the detailed accessibility information on our venue listing to see if they cater for all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, allergen listing, halal, kosher, and gluten-free. The Visit West Convention Bureau team can also help suggest venues and assist you here.

Take a look at all venues that cater for special dietary needs here.

Useful resources

Meetings Industry Association (MIA) A Practical Guide to Accessible Events

View detailed access information on Visit Bath

View detailed access information on Visit Bristol

Accessible accommodation in Bristol and Bath

If your event spans multiple days, accessibility should extend beyond the venue. We can help suggest accommodation options with accessible rooms and accessible features.

Accessible travel information

There are a number of accessible ways you can make your journey to Bristol, Bath and the surrounding region.

By Train

Bristol

Bristol Temple Meads is the central Bristol train station, you can find out more on the Visit Bristol Travelling To Bristol page. Travelwest also offer some useful information on Accessible train travel to and from Bristol here.

There is step free access throughout the station, with lifts to the platforms and some facilities. Staff assistance is available 24 hours a day; please request assistance from any member of staff if you have not booked assistance in advance. Wheelchairs are available. There are induction loops in the ticket office.

Full details of accessibility at Bristol Temple Meads can be found on the National Rail website.

Bath

Bath Spa is the central Bath train station. You can find out more on the Visit Bath Travelling To Bath page. Travelwest also offer some useful information on Accessible train travel to and from Bath here.

There is step-free access throughout the station, with lifts to the platforms and ramps available to board the trains. Staff assistance is available between these hours Monday - Friday 05:00 - 01:10, Saturday 05:30 - 01:10, Sunday 07:00 - 01:10 hours a day; please request assistance at the Ticket Office if you have not booked assistance in advance. Wheelchairs are available.

Full details of accessibility at Bristol Spa can be found on the National Rail website.

By Car

Bristol

Based on the information on this Bristol City Council page, you can park in Bristol for free in many places in Bristol, using your valid Blue Badge, including the following;

All day in any on-street pay and display parking bay in the city of Bristol, free of charge
All day in any permit holder parking bay, shared use parking bay, or pay and display bay in a residents’ parking scheme area, free of charge
All day in any on-street limited waiting bay in the city of Bristol

In any on-street disabled parking bay showing the Blue Badge sign. Some are limited to three hours and this will be shown on the signs

On a single or double yellow line for up to three hours, unless there’s a ban on loading or unloading. There may be other local restrictions, so always check any signs before you park

There are also many private car parks in Bristol, which are all different. Please check the details on the Visit Bristol parking page or directly.

Bath

Based on the information on this Bath and North East Somerset Council page, you can park in Bath for free in many places in Bath, using your valid Blue Badge, including the following;

Free parking with no time limit: On-street parking in Pay and Display zones where time is restricted for non-Blue Badge holders

Advisory disabled persons parking bays

Resident and business permitted parking zones

Charlotte Street car park - disabled persons bays located within the Charlotte Street entrance area only

Bath Park and Ride car parks

Free parking but time limited:

Single and double yellow lines where no loading ban applies (maximum stay of 3 hours)

Locations where parking charges apply:

All Bath city car parks, except those listed above

Please be aware that privately run car parks and parking zones will have their own policies on Blue Badge parking and may charge at the standard rate. Do not assume you can always park for free; check surrounding boards and signs for specific parking conditions before you leave your car.

Motor vehicle access will be restricted 10am to 6pm, every day, in the following streets:

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.

Blue Badge holders will be permitted access to these streets with entry on Cheap Street. Find out more on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.

By Air

Bristol Airport have a very thorough special assistance section on their website, with information on accessibility for your whole journey from before you travel, parking at the airport, after security to your plane and arrivals back. Find out all the information here.

By Taxi

Bristol

Hackney carriages with wheelchair access can be found at taxi ranks throughout Bristol. However, if you wish to travel door to door, or require a particular vehicle type for your journey, a list of owners/operators that are happy to help with accessible transport is available through Bristol City Council. There is no charge for assistance dogs for the disabled or for carrying aids like wheelchairs.

Bath

Several local taxi firms have specially adapted vehicles suitable for users of wheelchairs or other mobility aids. These vehicles are only available at certain times and are subject to driver availability. Contact them some time in advance to make your booking. A list of these operators can be found here on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website. There is no charge for assistance dogs for the disabled or for carrying aids like wheelchairs.

By Bus

The majority of Bristol and Bath public buses are operated by First Bus. You can find details about bus accessibility here, including details on wheelchair access, assistance dogs, low floor access, RNIB charter and more.

This includes information on the 'Extra Help To Travel Card', which can either be printed or shown to the driver as a screen grab on your phone. The card is a way to show your driver discreetly that you or your friend or family member may need a little extra help, without having to ask out loud.

Public Accessible Toilets in Bristol and Bath

A full list of accessible public toilets and toilets with adult changing facilities can be found on the Bristol City Council website and the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.