Out & About with Access All Areas

jamie.crow
Jul 2
7 min read

August Adventures: Eight UK Events Worth Travelling For

August is a different kind of month. The evenings stretch out, school holidays are in full swing, and there’s a genuine sense that anything is possible. Whether you’re planning a proper weekend away, a family day trip, or just looking for something to look forward to, the UK’s calendar is stacked with reasons to get out and go.

And here’s what’s changed. Accessibility is no longer an afterthought at many of the country’s best events. Accessible viewing areas, companion ticket schemes, Changing Places toilets, sensory spaces, and dedicated access teams are now part of the plan not an optional extra. More events than ever publish detailed access guides in advance, so you can plan with confidence rather than hope.

Here are our top picks for August 2026.

EDITOR’S PICK

Camp Bestival | Lulworth Castle, Dorset | 31 July – 3 August

If there was ever a festival built around joy, this is it.

Camp Bestival blends headline music acts with circus performers, comedy, theatre, fairground rides, and a genuinely imaginative programme for families. One moment you’re watching an award-winning band. The next, you’re helping the children build dens or learning circus skills while the sun drops over the fields. It’s one of those rare events where every generation finds something.

“We had the best weekend we’ve had in years. The accessible campsite meant we didn’t have to worry about a thing we just got to enjoy it.”

Best for:

• Families and first-time festival goers

• Staycation weekenders

• Anyone who wants music alongside proper family entertainment

Accessibility at a glance:

• Accessible camping and accessible car parking

• Changing Places facilities

• Accessible viewing platforms

• Accessible showers and toilets

• Dedicated accessibility team and application process via Nimbus Access Card

Find out more: dorset.campbestival.net

Edinburgh International Festival | Edinburgh | 7–30 August

For those three and a half weeks every August, Edinburgh becomes one of the

world’s great cultural capitals.

Historic theatres, concert halls, and stunning outdoor spaces host internationally

acclaimed performers across theatre, dance, opera, and classical music. The 2026 theme is ‘All Rise’, with a programme spanning five world premieres, residencies from the Berliner Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic, and works from San Francisco Ballet. Even if you know Edinburgh well, experiencing it during festival season is something else entirely.

Best for:

• Theatre and classical music lovers

• Culture seekers

• Couples or romantic city breaks

Accessibility at a glance:

• Captioned performances

• BSL interpretation

• Audio-described performances

• Relaxed performances

• Access Pass offering 50% concession for disabled and neurodivergent

audiences

• Accessible venues across the city

Find out more: eif.co.uk

Edinburgh Festival Fringe | Edinburgh | 7–31 August

The Fringe isn’t simply a festival. It’s an atmosphere.

Every street seems alive with performers. Every venue offers something unexpected.

Every day brings the chance to stumble across your next favourite comedian, actor, or musician. You can plan it down to the minute, or simply wander and see where the atmosphere takes you. Either way, the excitement finds you.

Best for:

• Comedy fans and theatre lovers

• Couples or friends

• Weekend explorers

Accessibility at a glance:

• Search performances by accessibility requirements

• Accessible venues

• Captioned and BSL performances

• Relaxed performances

Find out more: edfringe.com

We Out Here Festival | Wimborne St Giles, Dorset | 20–23 August

Music festivals don’t always need huge crowds and hectic schedules.

Curated by BBC Radio 6’s Gilles Peterson, We Out Here brings together jazz, soul,

hip hop, house, afro and electronic music across four days in the beautiful grounds of Wimborne St Giles. There’s wellness, great food, family activities, and a genuinely laid-back atmosphere. It’s the kind of festival where you slow down and actually discover something. The 2026 edition is already sold out a sign of how well-loved it’s become.

Best for:

• Music lovers and jazz fans

• Friends or families

• Anyone after a boutique festival experience

Accessibility at a glance:

• Accessible camping

• Companion ticket provision

• Accessible car park (contact accessible@weoutherefestival.com)

• Welfare spaces

• Charging facilities for mobility equipment

• Works in partnership with Attitude is Everything

Find out more: weoutherefestival.com

Greenbelt Festival | Boughton House, nr Kettering, Northamptonshire | 27–30 August

If your ideal weekend combines live music with ideas, laughter, and honest

conversation, Greenbelt is worth the trip.

Now in its 53rd year, Greenbelt is a festival of artistry, activism, and belief a unique mix of music, comedy, theatre, faith, food, and thought-provoking talks. It’s friendly, inclusive, and genuinely unlike anything else on the UK festival calendar. Worth noting: 2026 will be the last edition at Boughton House, as the festival prepares to find a new home from 2027 onwards. That makes this year’s edition particularly special.

Best for:

• Creative minds and thoughtful festival-goers

• Families

• Those who want more than just music from their weekend

Accessibility at a glance:

• Accessible camping

• Mobility scooter hire

• Quiet spaces

• Accessible toilets

• Companion ticket scheme

• Gold Award from Attitude is Everything

Find out more: greenbelt.org.uk

European Athletics Championships | Alexander Stadium, Birmingham | 10–16 August

Here is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for British sports fans.

The European Athletics Championships are coming to the UK for the very first time and Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, freshly renovated for the 2022

Commonwealth Games, is the setting. Seven days of world-class track and field.

Over 1,500 athletes from 50-plus nations. Sprint finishes, field events, distance

races. The kind of sporting theatre that television simply cannot match.

“Alexander Stadium has some of the best sightlines of any athletics venue in the

country. Whatever your seat, you feel close to the action.”

Best for:

• Sports fans and athletics lovers

• Families and group days out

• Anyone wanting to be part of a historic UK sporting moment

Accessibility at a glance:

• Wheelchair and Easy Access tickets available online

• Complimentary companion tickets

• Step-free access throughout

• Accessible parking provision for ticket holders

• Guide and assistance dogs welcome

Find out more: tickets.birmingham26.com

Just So Festival | Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire | 21–23 August

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones where children take the lead.

Just So Festival is an intimate, imaginative family weekend set in the beautiful Rode Hall Estate in Cheshire. Storytelling, woodland discoveries, live performances, creative workshops, circus skills, and outdoor adventures fill the programme. There are no screens here. Just families, fresh air, and the kind of connection that tends to get crowded out during normal life.

Best for:

• Young families

• Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts

• Anyone after an imaginative family escape

Accessibility at a glance:

• Accessible camping

• Accessible toilets

• Accessible car parking for day ticket holders

• Family-friendly facilities throughout

Find out more: justsofestival.org.uk

Accessible Festival | Bury Athletics Club, Greater Manchester | 19 July

Note: this one falls in July, not August — but it’s too good to leave out.

Accessibility isn’t an added feature here. It’s the whole point.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026, Accessible Festival is a one-day event

created by and for disabled people. Adaptive sports, live entertainment, community organisations, and interactive activities come together in a fully inclusive environment. A quiet hour runs from noon to 1pm for visitors with sensory needs. It’s a genuinely joyful event and a powerful demonstration of what inclusive experiences actually look like when the people running them understand what they’re doing.

Best for:

• Disabled people, families, and carers

• Community and inclusion events

• Discovering accessible activities and local support organisations

Accessibility at a glance:

• Fully accessible venue

• Step-free access throughout

• Quiet hour (12–1pm)

• Adaptive sports and inclusive activities

• Community exhibitors and organisations on site

Find out more: Search ‘Accessible Festival 2026’ on Eventbrite

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Before you travel, it’s worth taking a few minutes to download the event map, check the dedicated accessibility page, and pre-book any companion tickets or accessible parking that needs to be arranged in advance. Many events now require an Access Card or Digital Access Pass (available free through Nimbus) to apply for accessible facilities worth sorting before the summer rush.

Look out for sensory spaces, hearing loops, and Changing Places toilets on site

maps. Most events will tell you exactly where to find them you just need to look

before you leave home. The more you plan ahead, the more time you have to simply enjoy it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book accessible tickets for UK festivals?

Most events now handle accessible facilities separately from general ticketing. You’ll usually need to buy a standard ticket first, then apply through the event’s

accessibility team. Many use the Nimbus Access Card or a Digital Access Pass to

verify needs. Check each event’s dedicated access page well in advance spaces are limited and some schemes have deadlines.

What is a Nimbus Access Card and do I need one?

The Nimbus Access Card is a recognised proof-of-disability credential used by a

growing number of UK events and venues to streamline access applications. A

Digital Access Pass is the free festival-specific version. You don’t always need one, but having it can speed up the process significantly. Register at accesscard.online.

What is a Changing Places toilet?

Changing Places toilets are larger accessible facilities designed for people who need a hoist, height-adjustable changing bench, or extra space for a carer. They go beyond standard accessible toilets. An increasing number of UK festivals now

provide them on site check the event’s accessibility page to confirm whether one is available and where it will be located.

Can I bring a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair to a festival?

Generally yes, though it’s best to contact the event in advance so they can advise on access routes, charging facilities, and terrain. Some festivals offer mobility scooter hire on site. Others, like We Out Here, provide dedicated charging points. Let the accessibility team know your requirements when applying for accessible facilities.

Are companion or personal assistant tickets free at these events?

Many UK festivals offer free or discounted companion tickets for a carer or personal assistant accompanying a disabled attendee. You will usually need to apply and provide evidence of eligibility. The policy varies by event, so check the accessibility section of each event’s website before booking.

Next Month on Out & About with Access All Areas

As summer gives way to autumn, we’ll be exploring Heritage Open Days, accessible food festivals, scenic railway journeys, and some of the UK’s most beautiful autumn gardens. See you in September.