The inaugural Rough Guide to Accessible Britain awards, launched to highlight attractions with excellent facilities for disabled visitors, included five overall winners.

Judges considered each shortlisted attraction using two criteria: the experience itself and the level and range of access it affords to disabled visitors.

Lara Masters, one of the judges, said, “It is great that attractions are being commended and getting an award for thinking about how to accommodate disabled people. Hopefully this will encourage others to do the same.”

The awards were presented by the broadcaster Ben Fogle in a ceremony held at the Tate Modern in London .

Last month Telegraph Travel reported that Britain ’s leading travel companies were failing to serve the needs of disabled travelers. The study, carried out by Tourism for All, a British-based charity that specializes in travel for the disabled, found that 85 percent of respondents did not believe travel agents understand the needs of disabled travelers, and 78 per cent did not feel they were catered for by high street agents.

The awards in full

Best family venue: Science Museum, London
What the judges said:
“They have been very creative with the way exhibits work for disabled visitors and children. Everything is at just the right height for wheelchair users, exhibits are interactive and they have made sure that all visitors, whatever their disability, can participate in the fun.”

Best active venue: Cairngorm Funicular Railway and Ski Centre, Aviemore
What the judges said:
“The railway carriages are roomy and easy to navigate, which makes for an easy journey to the summit. And once there, feedback is always that visitors feel on top of the world.”

Best heritage venue – Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol
What the judges said:
“You would imagine a tight, cramped experience, but nothing could be further from the truth. There is a fantastic visitor centre with audio and BSL guides and on-board they have worked wonders to ensure the ship is wheelchair accessible.”

Best free venue – Locomotion: National Railway Museum, Shildon, Co Durham
What the judges said:
“Disabled visitors are genuinely surprised at the experience, especially given the nature of the trains and carriages featured; there is an awful lot of hands-on interaction.”

Readers’ choice venue – Eden Project, Cornwall This was voted by readers of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain and accessibleguide.co.uk. The new updated Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is on sale now. See www.roughguides.com for details.

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