SEND Activities in York

If you are looking for activities and events in York that are suitable for neurodivergent and/or disabled children, we have listed things that are accessible or specifically designed for them.

There are activities, events and days out in York that are accessible, autism-friendly, sensory-friendly or audio-described.

Note: We have not included places, events or activities unless they have specifically noted they are accessible. There are lots of wonderful places in York that may be suitable to visit, but if it doesn’t state it’s accessible on their website then they are not included it here. Please do get in touch if you have any more we could add.

Cinema

City Screen York offers some autism-friendly screenings – find out more here.

Cineworld

Autism Friendly Screenings usually take place on the first Sunday of every month at around 11am
Subtitled, audio-described and hearing-loop screenings as well as reserved seating. More details can be found here.

Vue Cinema York offers autism-friendly screenings of recent releases. Find out more here.

Leisure Activities

Open Country directories are produced to help you discover accessible places.

North Yorkshire accessible places to visit – Open Country

Energise Leisure Centre offers various inclusive sessions/activities, including:
Inclusive swim sessions: Every Tuesday 10.30 – 11.30 and Sunday 14.45 – 15.45.
SEND Swimming Lessons: Monday 16:30 – 19:30
Level Water Swimming Lessons: Monday 15:30 – 19:00

For more info: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/york/energise/inclusive

York Stadium Leisure Centre

SEN Clip ‘n Climb
A SEN focused Clip ‘n Climb session with reduced capacity and no music to support any sensory sensitivity. These colourful exciting state-of-the-art climbing wall systems allow you to have the best experience in a safe, supervised environment, suitable for those aged 4 and up.

This specific session happens in the Clip ‘n Climb arena every Friday at York Leisure Centre, 15:40 – 16:40. BOOK HERE

Inclusive Toddlers World
Situated within our Sports Hall, our Toddlers World is a fun and interactive play session with a
Jungle Bouncy Castle and soft matting with soft play shapes. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
This session has a reduced capacity.
Thursday 11.05-12.05pm
Ages: 6months -5 years. If you feel a child will enjoy this session however is older than the advertised age range please email us at
Yorkstadium@GLL.ORG. BOOK HERE

Inclusive Swim
This open session is designed for people with disabilities and their carers and family members in a friendly and safe environment. Pool hoist assisted entry to the pool and easy access steps available. It is a dementia friendly session with no music for sensory sensitivities. The session has a reduced capacity and includes access to all pools, Main Pool, Learner Pool and Splash Pad.
Ages: All ages, under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. Carers can attend for free and do not need to book.
Times: Saturday 28th October 16.40-17.40. (Normally on 16.20-17.20pm every Saturday) BOOK HERE

Point Zero Trampoline Park offers a ‘friendly’ session every week, for all abilities and is autism-friendly, with no flashing lights or music:

Friendly session – Point Zero – Every Thursday 18:00. Find out more here.

Agility Parks York offers a quieter session every week, for all home educated children. Music is lower, smaller numbers and instructor led. Discounted rate if pre-booked online.

Home Ed session – Agility Parks – Every Friday 11:30. Find out more here.

Attractions & Tours

Beningbrough Hall

Everything is considered to suit all shapes and needs that a family might have. The trails are very nature based and therefore sense driven. The gardens is flat with hard standing paths in most areas so suitable for mobility aids. Even heading into the parkland there are barked paths where possible to open up some of the wider walks. (Riverside, less so sadly). The play area is created with bucket swings and fully supportive seats, a wide low slide and different height frames so all ages and stages can play together.

There are accessible toilets in both toilet blocks – near the entrance and near the play area.

No specific quiet time but first thing and last thing often naturally is, however with 8 acres to explore, if needed, families can find themselves the space they want.

Piglets Adventure Farm

Piglets offer “Animal Encounters” SEND sessions every day at 4pm throughout both term time and the holidays. Our SEND sessions do not use a microphone or have music and are limited to a smaller number of children. Our Animal Barn Team are also currently receiving Makaton training so as they all pass their training over the next few weeks, this will also be brought into our sessions on a daily basis!

WEBSITE

Jorvik Viking Centre welcomes you and any visitors with additional needs. They are proud to have won the 2020 Visit York Award for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism.

Autism – Find out more here.
Audio descriptive and Subtitled – Find out more here.

The Potions Caultron & Hole in the Wand

These organisations have made significant strides in advancing accessibility for all visitors to our establishments. They have instituted various measures to enhance the experience for individuals with diverse needs.

Sensory Bags: We are proud to offer sensory bags designed to cater to individuals with Autism. The bags contain essential items such as fidget toys and ear defenders, both tailored to assist those who may experience challenges related to sensory sensitivity and loud noises
Visual Stories: In an effort to make sure all visitors feel comfortable and prepared, we have designed a visual story. This allows individuals to familiarise themselves with our venue prior to their visit, particularly helpful for those who may experience anxiety or dementia.
Quiet Mornings: We understand that a serene and accommodating environment is crucial for certain individuals. To that end, we host “Quiet Mornings” during which, for one hour prior to our regular opening, we turn off the music and brighten the lights to provide a peaceful atmosphere
Wheelchair Accessibility: Our ground floor is fully wheelchair accessible ensuring everyone can enjoy our offerings without impediments; also offering a complimentary hot drink. Additionally, we extend a warm welcome to guide and assistant dogs at our locations
Inclusive staff training: Our staff undergo inclusive training, including “Welcoming All” teaching them the necessary skills to ensure every visitor feels valued and accommodated. They further receive “Dementia Friendly” training to better assist those with related needs.

The Wizard of York

The Wizard of York loves welcoming autistic and other neurodiverse visitors on his award-winning tours, and has been working on a Social Story to help ease any concerns before attending.
The Wizard has consulted with autism charities and parents of autistic children to ensure it is as effective as possible in helping prepare children for this magical experience.
It can be downloaded at https://www.wizardwalkofyork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Social-Story-Wizard-Walk-of-York.pdf (warning, contains minor spoilers!)
The download is also on the wizarding website at www.wizardwalkofyork.com
too, under the Accessibility section of the FAQs.
The Wizard Walk of York is available to book for regular public tours, as well as private tours for schools, birthdays, Cubs, Beavers, Rainbows, Brownies and more. It’s the most magical ticket in town!

Murton Park, home of the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, living history sites and the Derwent Valley light railway. The park covers approx. 16 acres of mostly flat terrain. Whilst they make every effort to make the site accessible and wheelchair friendly, the nature of some of the outdoor areas and the surfaces of the trackways may present difficulties for those requiring certain kinds of mobility aid or wheelchair. Your visitor information sheet (given to you on arrival – and can be printed off in advance) features a map of the site: the facilities are indicated on this. They have also just become the first Makaton Friendly family attractions in York and North Yorkshire.

Find out what’s on over half term here.

York Museums Trust aim to enable as many visitors as possible to experience all their sites. Members of their Welcome Teams have received special training including on autism, deaf and hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted, dementia, and different types of guide dogs. Some team members can also use British Sign Language.

For full accessibility information including suggested quieter times, accessibility, sensory baskets, ear defenders, access lanyards etc. click each site below.