A Guide to Relaxed SEN Sessions in the Midlands

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the range of relaxed SEN sessions in the Midlands, from autism-friendly museum sessions to inclusive soft play activities and everything in between. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or someone with SEN themselves, this resource aims to empower you with the knowledge and insights needed to make the most of leisure time in the Midlands.

If there's a relaxed SEN session missing from the list, please feel free to mention the attraction or activity in the comments below and I'll add it to the list. Thank you!

Please note: All information is correct at the time of posting (January 2024), dates and times of the relaxed SEN sessions are subject to change at the attraction's discretion. Please double-check the corresponding websites and pre-book before travelling. Thanks so much!

18 Attractions with Relaxed SEN Sessions in the Midlands

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham Quiet Sessions

Enjoy the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham with no music and reduced capacity on specific dates throughout 2024. During these quiet sessions (between 9am-12pm), the music will be switched off and the televisions will be set to a low volume.

Quiet Session Dates

• 18th February 2024

• 14th April 2024

• 9th June 2024

• 18th August 2024

• 20th September 2024

• 8th December 2024

How to Book

Pre-book your tickets on the selected Quiet Session dates. Select an early time slot - music will turn back on and normal capacity returns at 12pm so it's best to book an early slot between 9 and 10.30am.

Address: LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Arena, King Edwards Road, Birmingham B1 2AA.

Lower Drayton Farm Relaxed Fridays

Lower Drayton Farm's relaxed sessions take place every Friday evening during term time between 3pm-6pm and during the school holidays between 4pm-7pm. During these sessions, the farm is at a reduced capacity, and music in the indoor play barn is turned down.

Please note that the animal zone closes at 5pm and there are no trailer rides during the relaxed Friday sessions.

Address: The Play Barn, Lower Drayton Lane, Stafford ST19 5RE.

National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham: Quiet at the Aquarium

On selected dates throughout the year SEA LIFE Birmingham opens its doors an hour early, with limited tickets available, to provide a quieter experience. The music during these sessions will remain switched off until 10am, and the televisions are turned to a minimal volume.

Quiet Session Dates

• Sunday 7th January 2024

• Sunday 4th February 2024

• Sunday 3rd March 2024

• Sunday 7th April 2024

• Sunday 5th May 2024

• Sunday 2nd June 2024

• Sunday 7th July 2024

• Sunday 4th August 2024

• Sunday 1st September 2024

• Sunday 6th October 2024

• Sunday 3rd November 2024

• Sunday 1st December 2024

Click here for more information and to book.

Address: The Water's Edge, Eleven Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2HL.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum: Morning Explorer Sessions

On the second Sunday of each month, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum holds Morning Explorer sessions. On these mornings the museum opens early at 9am and the majority of the sound-making exhibits are muted until 11am. Ear defenders and sensory maps are available at the entrance, and access to quiet spaces can be arranged on request.

Address: Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG.

Photo Credit: Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

National Space Centre

Accessible afternoons at the National Space Centre in Leicester are designed for SEND visitors who would benefit from a quieter experience. The accessible afternoons take place between 3pm-6pm on various dates across the year and operate at a very limited capacity.

Upcoming Accessible Afternoon dates:

• 3rd March 2024

• 21st April 2024

• 14th July 2024

Address: Exploration Drive, Leicester LE4 5NS.

Cadbury World Relaxed SEN Sessions

Cadbury World offers relaxed SEN Sessions for guests on selected dates and times. The sessions are designed to be of benefit to visitors who prefer a quieter and calmer experience, such as those with autism or SEN needs. The relaxed SEN sessions have reduced sound, removal of strong scents, and fewer visitors to help reduce stress.

Upcoming sessions available on each of the following days at 9.30 or 9.40AM:

• September 17th

• November 19th

To find out more, head to the Cadbury World website here.

Address: 69 Linden Road, Birmingham B30 1JR.

Riverside Hub

Riverside Hub organises dedicated SEND events throughout the year. In 2024, these dates are as follows:

• Friday 9th February

• Friday 22nd March

• Friday 24th May

• Friday 19th July

• Friday 6th September

• Friday 18th October

• Friday 29th November (special Christmas event)

The events run from 6.30pm up to 9pm to reduce visitor numbers. The SEN events often sell out so do make sure to book in advance.

Address: Riverside Retail Park, 7 Carousel Way, Northampton NN3 9HG.

All Things Wild

All Things Wild is thrilled to invite individuals with special educational needs to the exclusive sensory soft play sessions. During these sessions, participants will also have access to the Indoor Beach and Wilbur's Discovery Zone.

The next session is Friday 2nd February. Click here to find out more.

Address: Station Road, Honeybourne, Evesham WR11 7QZ.

Adventure Street

Adventure Street is a fully inclusive centre designed for children from walking age up to around 7, with disabled access to the centre and toilet areas. During the 75-minute SEN sessions, families should expect a quieter play session that will still follow the usual structure with a tidy-up time to close the session.

To find out more information on the next SEN play session, head to the Adventure Street website here.

Address: 3-5 Baggeridge Craft Village, Brick Kiln Way, Gospel End, Dudley DY3 4BB.

Special Needs Adventure Playground (Cannock)

At the Special Needs Adventure Playground (SNAP) in Cannock, there is plenty to do inside and out, including a small soft play, ball pool, construction toys, art activities, book corner, musical instruments, wall mounted activity and sensory panels, an outdoor playground with trampoline and inclusive roundabout, and bikes, trikes, and scooters.

The centre runs toddler, SEN children, and SEN adult sessions. To find out more about the sessions, click here.

Address: Pye Green Road, Cannock, WS11 5RW.

Treetop Golf Birmingham

Treetop Golf in Birmingham and Leicester hosts quiet sessions from 9am until 10am on the second Sunday of each month. During the quiet sessions, background noise and interactive holes will be reduced and strobe lighting turned off.

Address:

Treetop Golf Birmingham: Ground Level, Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham B5 4BA.

Treetop Golf Leicester: 3 Shires Lane, Leicester LE1 4AN.

Rock Up Birmingham

Rock Up Birmingham is a facility dedicated to rock climbing and adventure activities. They provide specialized sessions for individuals with SEN and autism, featuring a quiet environment with no music and a restricted number of people.

Head to the Rock Up Birmingham's website to see the dates and times of the Calm Climbing sessions.

Address: Broadway Plaza, 220 Ladywood Middleway, Birmingham B16 8LP.

Rush Trampoline Park

Rush Trampoline Park's Autism-Friendly and SEN sessions take place every Monday evening from 6pm – 7pm during term time and school holidays. The SEN sessions are quieter, at a capped capacity, and have reduced lighting and no music.

SEN Sessions are £12pp and Carers are free of charge. Carers must provide a valid ID at check-in to redeem the free ticket.

Address: Avery Dell, Lifford Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 3DZ.

Inflata Nation Autism-Friendly Sessions

During the autism-friendly sessions at Inflata Nation Stechford, the number of participants is halved and the music is turned down. A parent/carer can enter the arena free of charge with every participant. There is also complimentary juice and biscuits for all participants following the session. Inflata Nation Stechford hosts regular autism-friendly sessions, click here to find out more.

Address: Unit E, Stechford Retail Park, Flaxley Parkway, Birmingham B33 9AN.

Photo Credit: Inflata Nation

Gravity UK

In Gravity's SEN sessions, the whole park and its facilities are made exclusively available to members of recognised disabled groups and societies and caters to offer support for a wide range of disabilities.

Head to the Gravity UK website to see more details on the dates and times of the SEN sessions. Use code COMPCARER at the checkout for 1x free carer with every SEN session.

Address: StarCity, Birmingham B7 5SA.

Rebound Inflatable Park

Rebound Inflatable Park's relaxed sessions are aimed at children and teenagers with special needs, in particular Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, sensory issues and other learning difficulties or vulnerabilities. The SEN sessions run every Sunday at 10am. These sessions run at 50% capacity, music is turned off, and lights turned down low.

Click here to book.

Address: Smisby Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 2BS.

Junglebugs Indoor Play Centre

Junglebugs Indoor Soft Play Centre in Rowley Regis hosts monthly SEN sessions. The sessions are discounted at £2.50 per child, which includes admission, a drink of squash and a hot drink for an accompanying adult. The next SEN sessions will be on Monday 5th February and Monday 4th March from 3.30pm.

Address: Cardale Street, Blackheath, Rowley Regis B65 0LY.

Ice Cream Farm

Although a bit further field from the Midlands, the Ice Cream Farm hosts SEN Sessions every month on weekend mornings, with the option to stay afterward. During these sessions, numbers are limited, hand driers and music are turned off, and ear defenders are available on request.

Address: The Ice Cream Farm, Newton Lane, Tattenhall, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 9NE.

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