Whilst flitting through the net looking things to write about for the OpenBritain Blog I came across this article titled “The Best Autumn Food Festivals” by Nichola Iseard in the Observer’s Escape Magazine. Here at OpenBritain we love a good festival whether it be art, music, beer or food but we also need to know what facilities the festivals have for people with disabilites.

For this reason I’ve taken Nichola’s suggestions and dug a little deeper to try to find the information to The Best Inclusive Autumn Food Festivals:

Ludlow Food Festival
11-13 September

Information for people with disabilities:

ACCESSIBILITY

All events in Ludlow Castle and most other venues are suitable for wheelchair access. The entrance to the Castle itself has a rough cobbled surface and a wheelchair user may require assistance – readily available on the spot – for this short section. Some shops have entrance steps but again assistance is readily available. Detailed information can be found at the Festival Information Stall near the Castle entrance, or by phoning 01584 873957

Disabled toilets can be found at the car park off Castle Square, and in the Castle during the Food and Drink Fair. Disabled car park spaces (for disabled badge holders) can be found in the car park off Castle Square.One of the Park & Ride buses has a low floor access. Further information on this will be available from the stewards at the car park.

If you have special needs and require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our office on 01584 873957, or email info@foodfestival.co.uk , and we will be happy to do what we can to help.

For more information about access in Ludlow generally, please contact Malcolm Marsh at South Shropshire District Council, tel 01584 813367.

Soil Association Organic Food Festival, Bristol
12-13 September

Information for people with disabilities:

When browsing through the official Organic Food Festival site there doesn’t seem to any information at all for people with disabilities and the tourist information office, Visit Bristol, simply state “Guide Dogs Permitted” and that there are  ”Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors.”

It maybe a good idea to contact the Organic Food Festival or Visit Bristol before attending the event.

Organic Food Festival:

info@theorganicfoodfestival.co.uk
Tel: 0117 314 5104
Fax: 0117 370 1099

Visit Bristol

ticharbourside@destinationbristol.co.uk
Tel: 0333 321 0101

Abergavenny Food Festival
19-20 September

Information for people with disabilities:

VENUE ACCESS

All main the main market venues are fully accessible to wheelchair-users and mobility scooters.
The Wedgewood Room at the Angel Hotel involves using some steps.
Trinity Hall is approximately seven minutes walk from the centre of town.
St Michael’s Centre is approximately twelve minutes walk from the centre of town.

CAR PARK ACCESS

Bailey Park is the most suitable for wheelchair and scooter users. All the town car-parks have allocated parking.

SHOPMOBILITY

Shopmobility will be running over the weekend from 10.00am to 4.00pm daily. To be sure of securing a scooter, please book in advance by calling Freephone 0800 298 2656

Manchester Food and Drink Festival
1-12 October

Acording to the Observer article “This event takes over more than 100 venues across the city, so it’s hard to know where to start.” Although not a good enough reason, this is presumably why there isn’t any information for people with disabilites at all on the Manchester Food and Drink Festival web site. Please contact them directly with enquiries if you’re interested in visiting any of the events:

hello@foodanddrinkfestival.com
Tel: 0161 839 3461
Fax: 0161 839 4753

Slow Food Market, London
Various dates

Information for people with disabilities:

Pleas see the Southbank Centre’s Access Pages for futher information.

Liverpool Food and Drink Festival
13-20 September

Again this festival is spread over various venues and the organisers don’t seem to have provided any information for people with disabilities. The article in the Observer suggests that “For a chance to sample dozens of them in one location, make a beeline for Sefton Park on 13 September, where there will be food sampling, cookery demonstrations and opportunities to buy.” however, there isn’t any access information for the park either.

Nottingham Food and Drink Festival
16-20 September

The Nottingham Food and Drink Festival is spread over 6 locations in the city namely; Chapel Quarter, The Lace Market, Hockley Village, Castle, Old Market Square and Theatre Square at various different venues. The organisers have not included any information for people with disabilities so it would be advisable to contact them if you are interested in going.

First Wednesday is another initiative in Nottingham that gives offers and discounts at various different bars and restaraunts on the first Wednesday of every month. There is little information regarding facilities for people with disabilities at the different venues so if you happen to live in Nottingham or will be visiting there soon and would like to review one of them for OpenBritain, please contact us!

Narberth Food Festival, Pembrokeshire
26-27 September

The main event seems to be located outside in the centre of the town and although no specific information is given regarding access or other facilities for people with disabilities at the event there is a map showing where to find the Blue Badge Parking. One would assume (although we all know it’s never a good idea to assume), that if there’s parking for people with disabilities, there will also be other facilities….