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Finding places to go on days out with children can be hard enough but finding options which can accommodate children with special needs can be even harder.
Luckily, Brighton & Hove has several venues and activities for children with autism. To help you choose, we’ve put together a list of 5 great suggestions.
This list includes both free and paid activities which are suitable for all children, but which also offer special accommodation for children with autism or other special needs.
Before You Set Out, if you’re a Brighton & Hover resident, remember to pick up a compass card. If you live in Brighton and have a child with autism (or other special needs) under the age of 25, you can apply for a Compass Card, which entitles your child to free travel on buses in Brighton.
Volks Railway
https://www.volksrailway.org.uk
The Volks railways is one of the oldest, current operational electric railways in the world. It runs about half the length of Brighton beach along Maderia Drive. It runs until 17:15 on weekdays and 18:15 on weekends and return tickets cost just £5.60 for an adult and £3.50 for a child.
You can continue to ride the train up and down the beach as many times as you like, which makes it a great way to enjoy the seafront.
An added feature which kids love is that every other train carriage has a dummy steering wheel and set of buttons, allowing youngsters to mime along with the train and play act that they’re the driver.
Brighton Palace Pier
https://www.brightonpier.co.uk/
Brighton Palace Pier (popularly known as simply Brighton Pier) is an essential stop on any Brighton day out. Originally built in 1899, today Brighton Pier has a wide selection of amusements, rides, fast food stands, and a few bars.
Standing at the pier also provides an excellent view of both Brighton’s seafront and of the sea itself.
Unlike the other suggestions on this list, Brighton Pier is free to visit! Rides are of course charged though, and you can expect a shock when you see the price for a portion of chips!
The i360 Viewing Tower
Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
https://britishairwaysi360.com/
A short walk along from the pier will lead you to the i360 Viewing Tower, currently sponsored by British Airways. The i360 is Brighton’s version of the London Eye, although it looks less like a Ferris wheel and more like a giant robot’s sword.
As a visitor, you’ll board a platform at ground level which then slowly ascends to a height of 160m. This allows you to have an aerial view of the entirety of Brighton from one side, and on a clear day you can see all the way to The Isle of Wight on the other.
While there are no special ticket prices for autistic visitors, this recent review on TripAdvisor gives a great impression of how they treat visitors with disabilities.
“Superb customer service when visiting with an Autistic child.
Wanted as a family to express our heartfelt thanks for the superb staff working at this attraction. It was quite busy, but we explained to Dawn that our youngest son is autistic. The staff ensured thereafter that everything was done to lower his anxiety and allow us to enjoy the flight.”
Sea Life Centre
Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TB
https://www.visitsealife.com/brighton/
Brighton Sea Life Centre is one of the oldest operating aquariums in the world. The plethora of fish and other marine life presents a large amount of visual stimulation and there are regular presentations and feedings scheduled throughout the day.
Though the Sea Life Centre in Brighton does not currently offer special events or prices for visitors with autism, carers can accompany disabled visitors for free if they provide one of the following…
• DLA/DWP/PIP award letter.
• A Blue Badge.
• International Proof of Disability (ISA or similar must be printed on it).
Duke Of Yorks Cinema
https://www.picturehouses.com/blog/autism-friendly-screenings
The Duke of Yorks cinema is the oldest cinema in the UK, and one of the oldest in the world. While it mainly has a more left field selection, including foreign cinema and art films, it also offers autism-friendly screenings on the third Sunday of every month, usually of mainstream films which are currently out at other cinemas.
This is a great chance for people with autism to enjoy the latest in cinema while in a non-judgmental environment which also takes some extra steps to make them feel comfortable, including…
- Sound levels turned down lower than normal
- Lights are dimmed rather than switched off
- No adverts or trailers at the beginning of the screening
- Audience members free to move around the auditorium and make noise during the film.
After the film the Duke of Yorks provides free tea, coffee, juice and biscuits, to give an opportunity for parents and carers of children with autism to connect.
