Accessible Leeds

Leeds is a great city to visit with plenty of attractions and things to do. We want everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy all our city has to offer. Here is a guide with information and links to help plan an accessible trip. 

Below you can find information on: 

• Travel Planning Tools, jump to content.
• Accommodation, jump to content. 

Hubs Mobility Advice Service

For free, impartial advice for accessible travel solutions visit the Hubs Mobility Advice Service.

Blue Badge Information

For information on Blue Badge guidance visit Leeds City Council website here. You can also view an interactive map of Blue Badge parking in Leeds City Centre.

Travelling by Train

Leeds City Centre train station, is in the heart of the city centre. Its accessibility features include:

• Step-free access throughout the station, with lifts to all platforms.
• Passenger Assistance
• Accessible toilets, waiting rooms, and seating areas.
• A ramp for train access

Staff assistance is available 24 hours a day, and can be requested in advance of your journey. Full details of accessibility at Leeds City Centre Train Station can be found on the National Rail website.

Useful links for travelling to Leeds by Train

• National Rail train and station accessibility here – National Rail accessible travel and facilities information.
• National Rail passenger assist information and Passenger Assistance App
• National Rail Find a Station service
• National Rail Interactive Access Map

Train providers are Northern, Cross Country, East Midlands, LNER and Transpennine. All of these train operators provide assistance You can find details about accessibility on the individual transport providers websites.  

By Car

Our accessible position on the UK motorway network makes reaching Leeds by road so simple. The M621 runs close to the city, providing direct access to the M1 and M62 and the A1 accessible to the North of the city centre. Leeds is within comfortable driving times of most regions in the UK. For details of car parking in Leeds, view our disabled parking map here.  

Leeds is a famously walkable city, with all the buzz of the urban centre never too far away without the need for transport. There are plenty of wheelchair accessible routes to get you where you need to go, and places to stop and rest should you need to. Creating a better experience for pedestrians and cyclists goes hand in hand with making space for people to enjoy nightlife, hospitality and leisure without the cars and crossings. Greek Street in the Financial Quarter and Merrion Street in the Northern Quarter are closed to traffic, creating accessible, vibrant street level areas packed with outdoor dining, drinking and the best of Leeds’ independent food scene. City Square up to Quebecs Street at the front of the Train station, is largely pedestrianised, creating a large event space and public places to sit and take in the atmosphere. Visit Leeds City Council’s website pages on Walking in Leeds for further information and advice.  

Accessible Toilets 

Alongside accessible toilets, Leeds also offers a number of changing places to cater to all accessibility needs. You can find out more information and see where these are located on the Changing Places website. 

Local Bus Services 

Leeds’ fleet of electric buses is an accessible way to get around the city centre and beyond. As well as all the space you need, you’ll find clear audio and visual next stop announcements, wi-fi for any essential devices, and app-based tickets so you can plan in advance. There are also park and ride services and local train services connecting through Leeds Train Station. Head to WYMetro to plan your journey. 

Taxi Services 

An accessible taxi service is available from Veezu who can be contacted on 0113 269 1558. 

Leeds is within easy distance of three stunning historic homes and country estates, which all aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for visitors.

Harewood House is about 20 minutes from Leeds City Centre. They offer Sensory Bags, accommodations like shuttle services around the grounds (volunteer run) and all staff are trained to assist. Find out more about accessibility at Harewood House on their website.

Lotherton House and Wildlife World is around 12 miles from Leeds City Centre. Find out about their access facilities on their website here including a Visual Story to plan your visit.

Temple Newsam House is around 5 miles from Leeds City Centre. A large portion of the house is accessible with a selection of wheelchairs and scooters to help explore the outdoor areas. To find out more about their provisions click here.

The Leeds Museums and Galleries also run Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds City Museum and the Leeds Industrial Museum. You can check out each venue here with accessible information.

The Royal Armouries Museum has a 3D tour of the venue and other information for whether your are visiting for the Museum or one of their shows like jousting. You can find all the details here.

Thackray Museum of Medicine has some areas that deal with difficult subjects with recreations of Victorian Leeds. Check out their map and other facility information here to see sensory, seating and other details to get around the venues.

Leeds Playhouse is a pioneer of creating and showing accessible and inclusive theatre, and as a venue it is committed to making their spaces fully welcoming with equality, diversity, access, and inclusion considered in everything they do. Their programme includes shows with BSL, relaxed and dementia sessions. Some shows offer a walk around the set and interaction with the cast. Find out more on their website here.

The Carriageworks Theatre hosts a range of shows that inspire and entertain. Overlooking Millennium Square the theatre is in Leeds City Centre, with several car parks nearby. The entrance consists of level access with automatic doors and lift access to all floors. Find out more about their accessible facilities here.

The City Varieties Music Hall is the longest running music hall in the UK, where you will find relaxed, captioned and BSL performances. All the details on the accessible facilities can be found here including nearby parking and a digital tour of the theatre.

World famous opera company, Opera North, based in Leeds, offers audio described and signed performances, as well as relaxed and dementia friendly sessions. Find out more here.

Northern Ballet offer relaxed, audio described and other performances to make ballet accessible to all. Find out more here.

Leeds’ first direct banking Arena, which hosts the likes of Elton John, Little Mix and Fleetwood Mac, is designed with accessible platforms and ramps, offers on-street disabled parking and provides a free companion ticket for individuals who require an assistant, providing an outstanding experience for anyone who visits. Find out details here.

O2 Academy

work with accessibility charities to make sure you can see the biggest live acts around on your terms. Find out more here.

Leeds is famous for it’s beautiful covered shopping arcades alongside state-of-the-art modern shopping centres and facilites. Trinity Leeds is a Sector Partner of Purple Tuesday, fully committed to improving the customer experience for disabled guests 365 days a year. This includes quiet hours, mobility hire and SignLive, where a BSL interpreter will help connect you with staff throughout the shopping centre. Victoria Leeds and the arcades (Thorntons, Queens, Central and Grand) are one level and easy to get through, however due to their design some shops have a step to get inside and feature 2nd floors without lift use. We recommend contacting the individual businesses should you need that extra help. Victoria Leeds also offers a Guest Services experience with hands free shopping. The Light, Merrion Centre and St Johns. The White Rose Shopping Centre has a wide variety of facilities to support your shopping with mobility hire, sensory backpacks, and more.

But what about your accommodation? Often, staying somewhere new can be fraught with uncertainty, especially when you need specific accessibility features or requirements that you don’t have to think about at home. In Leeds you can rest easy, literally, because the city has a wealth of accessible accommodation right in the heart of the city.

From iconic four-star hotel, The Queens, which offers accessible rooms and wheelchair access to public areas including the bar, restaurant and bedrooms, to Radisson Blu consisting of seven accessible rooms, two of which have walk-in showers, whilst loading bays and portable ramps are available for disabled access, there’s a wealth of accommodation to choose from.

We recommend also using Euan’s Guide for individual reviews of venues, restaurants etc…

For feedback or additional information on this page please contact us at info@visitleeds.co.uk.