Planning a day out with someone with ASD? We’ve got you covered with this guide to brilliant ASD-friendly spots in London.
When it comes to ASD, planning a day out can be the difference between having a great time, or a very stressful one. Knowing where to go can also make a big difference.
Luckily, London has plenty of places that offer the kind of support people on the spectrum need.
From trips to see the Harry Potter studios to touring the Houses of Parliament, here are a bunch of places with the kind of facilities to make an ASD-friendly day out go smoothly.
ASD Friendly Locations in London
Visit the Harry Potter Studios
Leavesden
Probably the most magical place in London is also one of the most accessible. The Warner Bros. Studios have gone above and beyond to ensure that their studios don’t exclude people with ASD. For one, they’ve got this handy guide to the whole experience so you can know what to expect and plan accordingly.
They’re well aware that some of the exhibitions might become a bit stressful and so have a special sensory room with plenty of calming, interactive elements you can head to if you need.
They also have discreet ‘Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyards’ on hand to indicate to staff that you might need a little assistance as you take in the magic of Hogwarts.
Climb Aboard the London Transport Museum
Aldwych
London has had a massive impact on the way people get around in modern cities. One place you can learn and discover all about that impact is the London Transport Museum.
They’ve got some really cool exhibitions about old forms of mass transit and how the city’s underground system got planned.
The exhibitions have a range of ways to convey their information including having subtitles on audiovisual exhibitions for people that prefer to read.
Carers also go free at the London Transport Museum. Possibly the best ASD friendly day out London has to offer, we think.
Visit the Sea Life Centre London Aquarium
Waterloo
Part of making sure an ASD-friendly day out goes smoothly is ensuring that the person you’re with has plenty to focus on. With that in mind, there are few places in London with a mind-boggling amount of interesting things to look at than the Sea Life Centre, AKA the London aquarium.
What’s more, they make great efforts to make sure people with ASD and disabilities are taken care of. Carers will go free and members of staff are on hand to help out if you decide the aquarium is a little overwhelming. You can read their full accessibility guide here.
Better yet, they’re opening up their doors an hour early on selected dates so that those who need a little extra quiet can enjoy their time at the aquarium. Not only that but music will be switched off, lights will be on static mode and TVs will be turned to minimal volume until 10am.
Head to London Zoo
Regent’s Park
We all know that person that thrives on information. What we might call sensory overload, they crave. In that respect, a day out at London Zoo with around 16,000 animals to learn about might tick a few of the right boxes.
Unfortunately, the zoo doesn’t provide any ASD-specific guides, but they do have plenty of zoo keepers and assistants on hand to help you out if you need them.
They also have plenty of car park space reserved for blue badge holders.
Marvel at The Natural History Museum
It’s hard not to become engrossed in the exhibitions at the Natural History Museum. The giant dino skeletons and engaging info makes it the perfect place to give an overactive mind the stimulation it needs.
If you’re taking little ones, the Natural history museum’s Dawnosaur events might also be something to think about. They run them early, before the big crowds arrive, so you’ve got a bit more space for yourselves.
While we’re on the topic, the Science Museum’s Night Owls events do something similar, just after hours, as you may guess from the name.
Take a Peek Inside Tower Bridge
Not just the most iconic of all London’s bridges, but also an interesting place for a day out. At Tower Bridge, you can check out the inside of the bridge you’d probably only recognize from the outside.
There are walkways with great views of the river, machinery for lifting the bridge to take in, and even a glass floor to walk across. With so much to learn about, and so many ways of learning, they also include unique guides for people with ASD.
Carers also go free, and there are concessions for those with disabilities.
Board The Cutty Sark
For those that have taken a fascination with boats and sailing, the Cutty Sark will make the setting for a great day out. The beautifully maintained boat that was once one of the fastest ships of its day has plenty to get excited about.
You can explore above and below the deck, visit the captain’s cabin, and meet some of the characters from its colourful past at special events. They also offer free parking for blue badge holders, and carers can go free.
By the way, if you’re going as a family, you might want to look into one of their family days.
And, if you really want to make this a big day out, you could reach Greenwich by the cable cars and take in the views from high above the river.
Spend an Afternoon at a City Farm
Citywide
City farms are a thing. Who said the city was devoid of nature except for the pigeons? There are a few of them dotted around London so you might want to search for one that’s within easy access of wherever you live.
A couple of our favourites? Vauxhall City Farm is pretty top-notch. Apart from being one of London’s biggest, they run heaps of educational activities, have super helpful and attentive staff, and even offer horse riding lessons.
For a good North London spot try Kentish Town City Farm. It’s not as big, but they’ve got a great selection of animals, including a couple of adorable, and absolutely massive, pigs.
Stargaze at the Greenwich Planetarium
Greenwich
Nothing beats gazing up at the stars to spark a keen interest in the final frontier. Unfortunately, because of all the light pollution in London, actually seeing the stars can be pretty difficult.
Greenwich Planetarium offers a very nice solution though. It comes in the form of several daily planetarium shows where an expert will talk you through the night sky, walk you across the surface of Mars, and explain what you would be able to see in the night sky the day you visit if the stars were all visible.
They offer shows for different levels of understanding, though all the shows have easy-to-access knowledge. They also don’t last too long, about half an hour each, so there’s no need to worry if someone doesn’t handle sitting down for long stretches too well.
Ride a Flight Simulator at The RAF Museum
Colindale
The RAF Museum in Colindale has plenty for lovers of planes and fighter jets to get excited about.
You will be able to sit in old fighter planes, but most excitingly they have a 4D flight simulator that recreates the experience of flying a Eurofighter, one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets.
The museum also takes hidden disabilities seriously and offers an ASD friendly trail for anyone who wants it, though we recommend contacting the museum first just to let them know you’re coming.
Tour the Houses of Parliament
When they’re not being used to run the country, you can take a tour of The Houses of Parliament and see behind the scenes of where the big decisions are made. It’s a great way for anyone to get a good look at how a country works.
Younguns can get free audio tours performed in a comical news-broadcast style and they have plenty of assistants on hand to help out with any additional help you may need.
They also offer screen-based versions of the adult tour if that’s the way you learn best.
Take a Ride on The London Eye
The most famous attraction of them all is also one with one of the best commitments to taking care of people with ASD in our guide. The London Eye understands that elements of its experience may be difficult and has offered help accordingly.
Of course, they can’t eliminate all aspects of waiting involved with getting on the eye, but people that have a hard time queuing can skip the line if they want. Carers can also book free tickets.
They also offer advice on the best times to visit, so you can plan your trip at a time that will be less stressful.
Wander Around the Tate Britain
Pimlico
Apart from being one of the country’s top galleries, and choca with wall-to-wall art, the Tate Britain is very accessible to people that might need a little more help than others.
You’ll find concessionary prices available for the paid exhibits and carers can enter for free. They also offer large print gallery plans and text is available in braille for anyone who needs it. You can also make use of the parking spaces if you’re a blue badge holder.
Someone with ASD may not need all of the above to make the most of their trip to this famous gallery, but it certainly shows their commitment to making the place as accessible as possible to anyone and everyone.
Practical Tips for Planning ASD Friendly Days Out in London
- It’s always a good idea to contact these places before you go to let them know you’re coming and see what additional help you can get. They’re all in this guide because they have a reputation for being helpful with queries like this.
- Planning the timing of your trip can also be a good way to avoid the kind of crowds or situations that people with ASD find stressful. London’s known for being busy, but organising a day around things like a school holiday or a weekend can be a good way to steer clear of the crowds.
