Autism friendly summer attractions 2024
Can you believe it’s that time of year again? With exams coming to an end, holidays being booked and the sun shining a lot more, summer is here! The summer season is a great time to relax and spend time doing things that you enjoy.
Eden, a member of the Ambitious Youth Network, has put together a list of autism-friendly attractions to visit this summer. From museums to theatre productions, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
BFI and Odeon relaxed screenings
Want to have the cinema experience in a more relaxed environment?
The British Film Institute has introduced relaxed screenings to make the cinema environment more accessible for autistic people and their families. These screenings feature dimmed lights, no trailers, and the ability to move around and make noise if needed. They have a relaxed screening guide so autistic people can prepare in advance if they’d like to.
Odeon is also running relaxed screenings on a Sunday morning once a month, and they have these screenings all over the UK and Ireland.
Learn more about BFI relaxed screenings
Learn more about Odeon relaxed screenings
Flute Theatre, London
Flute Theatre offers performances of Shakespeare for autistic participants to join the actors so that they can improve their facial expressions, eye contact, spatial awareness and social communication, as well as learn about the play.
Participation is not compulsory, and the company offer a safe space. This means that everyone treats you in a non-judgmental way and allows you to be who you want to be in that moment. Anyone can join and you are not obliged to play if you don’t want to and can drop out of the activities at any time.
Find out more about Flute Theatre
Camp Mohawk, Berkshire
Camp Mohawk is an activity centre run for autistic children and young people and/or those with disabilities, as well as their families. It has indoor and outdoor facilities including a sensory room, a soft play area, a sensory garden, and an outdoor swimming pool.
There are different types of activities run throughout the summer like art and music therapy, and even the opportunity to learn circus skills!
Find out more about Camp Mohawk
Thinktank science museum, Birmingham
Located in Birmingham, the Thinktank museum has more than 200 interactive exhibitions over four floors which includes a planetarium. The museum hosts regular quiet sessions over the holiday period and offers free ear defenders as well as a sensory room.
Inflata Nation
With ten locations all over the UK, Inflata Nation is a theme park which includes slides, trampolines and ball pits. They regularly host autism friendly events which include low music, a smaller number of participants and parents and carers are allowed in for free.
Find out more about Inflata Nation
Diggerland
Ever wanted to try out how to operate a digger and construction vehicles? Well, Diggerland theme parks give you the opportunity to do so.
Diggerland theme parks can be found in Yorkshire, Durham, Devon and Kent. Staff are trained in autism and some venues also have a sensory room. Carers are also admitted free.
Diggerland is one of the first organisations to team up with the national 'connect to autism’ campaign.
Tower Bridge, London
Tower Bridge is a famous, imposing bridge connecting Southwark with Tower Hamlets.
Tower Bridge offers a relaxed opening making it more accessible for those who are neurodiverse and their families. Families can explore the towers, engine rooms and glass floors and take part in a family trail if they wish. They ensure it is accessible by providing a visual storyboard before visiting, having toolkits around the bridge with sensory items and limiting noise by replacing the hand dryers with paper towels in the bathrooms.
Find out more about Tower Bridge’s relaxed openings
