There are many organisations and companies that offer holidays for families of children with disabilities, including autism. Here is a list of autistic-friendly holiday resources and providers:
Family holidays
NAS Holiday Guide
As part of their directory, the National Autistic Society has a comprehensive set of listings for autism-friendly holiday accommodation.
Click here to visit the guide
Ableize Holiday Directory
Ableize have created this helpful directory of holiday accommodation in the UK and abroad
Click here to visit the Ableize holiday directory
Sky Badger
Sky Badger have curated this great list of holidays and fun days out for families of children with additional needs.
Happy Days
You can apply to Happy Days for a short family respite break if you have a child with special needs.
Click here to visit the Happy Days website
KIDS South West Cotswolds Caravan
A lovely and modern caravan with extremely reasonable rates in the Cotswolds.
Click here for more information
The Thomas Centre, Lincolnshire
“Mental and physical disability can be very claustrophobic for families and for the carers of those who need support. Our hope is that holiday makers at the Thomas Centre will find the sense of space, the peace and tranquillity, the safety and the privacy of our parkland to be a welcome release from the claustrophobic nature of every day life. We also hope that this experience will contribute to a real quality holiday experience for all your family or group.”
Telephone: 01507 363463
Email the Thomas Centre
Thomas Centre Website
Cwmiar Farm Holiday Cottages
“A warm welcome to the ultimate child-friendly, family holiday on a working farm, where parents can relax while children can have the freedom to play safely and interact with our farm animals as much or as little as they like. We are fully wheelchair accessible and welcome children with special needs. Everyone – children of all ages, parents and grandparents can help feed and take care of all the animals, getting involved as much or as little as they want to, with daily life on the farm.”
Telephone: 01559 395 375
Cwmiar Farm Holiday website
Autism on The Seas
This organisation offers autism-friendly cruises setting off from several US ports. Financial assistance and flexible payments may be possible.
Autism on The Seas website
Ty Glyn Davis Trust
A unique venue, providing self-catering holiday accommodation which is fully accessible for groups, organisations and families whose members have special needs.
Ty Glyn Davis Trust website
Respite holidays
There are also a range of respite care holidays, where your child goes away without you in order to gain new experiences and independence. This also gives you and other members of your family a break.
Disabled Holidays
Experts in arranging accessible holidays for disabled children and children with special needs.
Telephone: 0161 804 9898
Disabled Holidays website
Newman Trust
Provides holidays for over 120 children with disabilities and special needs aged 4-16 each year, in various locations around the United Kingdom.
Newman Trust website
Family Holiday Asssociation
They offer short breaks at seaside holiday parks like Haven or Butlin’s or staying in a self-catering caravan. FHA cover the cost of accommodation, entertainment passes and linen and can normally make a contribution towards expenses for travel, food etc. They take place between Easter and the end of October. FHA also help with the cost of group holidays and days out.
Family Holiday Association website
HCPT
HCPT is a charity offering pilgrimage holidays, to Lourdes in the south of France, for disabled and disadvantaged people from around the UK and further afield. Every Easter over 1,000 disabled and disadvantaged children enjoy a week in Lourdes, staying in hotels with their volunteer helpers.
Telephone: 01788 564646
HCPT website
Holiday advice and help
The National Autistic Society have developed this guide to help prepare and manage holidays with an autistic individual
Bristol Airport special assistance staff are trained to help autistic individuals and families with autistic children. Click here for more information about the support they provide.
Last updated on 14th June 2019
