The North
AROUND MANCHESTER IN A WHEELCHAIR
St. Peters Square
Manchester is a thriving and busy city, surprisingly free of traffic, with a good public transport system including trams. It has a mixture of modern and older architecture and is interesting to explore.
One of the more unusual older buildings
There is 'on street' parking free of charge for blue badge holders adjacent to St. Peters Square in the city centre. The tourist information centre is situated here and it is very helpful and informative.
Manchester City Art Gallery
Manchester City Art Gallery
At one end of the square on the opposite side of the road is the City Art Gallery. The extensive collection of over 25,000 works of art and design is housed on three floors and within twenty one rooms.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral
Ten minutes walk from the art gallery is Manchester Cathedral that can be accessed via a ramp, it was mostly built in the 15th century but extensively renovated during the 19th century. It has five modern stained glass windows to replace those destroyed by an air raid in 1940. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.
The Regimental Chapel
Adjacent to the Cathedral is a visitor centre, below which is the refectory. It serves main meals as well as snacks and is a good place for lunch.
Also adjacent to the Cathedral is an area which was destroyed by IRA bombing several years ago. It is now home to a garden and the Urbis Centre housed in a very modern building (at present this is undergoing an extensive makeover to become the National Football Museum however during this period the cafe will remain open).
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
Museum of Science and Industry
Manchester Museum of Science and Industry
Situated in the Castlefields area of Manchester is the Museum of Science and Industry which covers a large area and really needs a whole day to explore it fully.
Manchester Museum of Science and Industry
The picture above shows some of the machines (which can be seen working) that turned raw cotton into woven cloth, once a principal industry in Manchester. The site is 98% accessible to wheelchairs and has a cafe and disabled toilets it is also free admission. There is disabled parking on site and also in the street opposite.
For more detailed accessibility information please click here
Imperial War Museum North
The Imperial War Museum
Two miles west of the city centre is the Trafford Park area in which there are several attractions. One of these is the very futuristic looking Imperial War Museum which has its own car park with designated spaces. There is a lift to the main exhibition floor which also houses the restaurant. Admission is free.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Manchester United Football Museum and Tour
Waiting for the tour
About half a mile away is the Manchester United Football Ground where there is a museum and tour centre.
The hallowed turf
Entrance to the museum and tour is free for carers accompanying wheelchair users. There are lifts to access all three floors and a restaurant on site. Allow three to four hours for your visit or maybe longer if you are an avid fan.
For more accessibility Information click here
The Lowry
The Lowry Art Gallery
About a half a mile away in Salford Quays is another very modern building which houses The Lowry Complex. As well as being home to an exhibition of Lowry's paintings, there are other galleries and two theatres. There are lifts to all floors, a restaurant and a cafe all of which are accessible and admission is free.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Clifton Country Park
Clifton Country Park
If you take the A666 Manchester road towards Kearsley you will see signs for Clifton country park. It is one of several country parks in the Manchester area and it has a wheelchair trail around the lake (this was originally a gravel pit excavated for the building of the M62) approximately one mile long. It is a pleasant way to relax in the countryside after seeing the city.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
For somewhere to stay in or near these attractions in Manchester please check out our accessible accommodation search.
Manchester as a holiday destination has lots to see and do, without having to travel a great distance from the city centre.