Key to Noise Stickers
We’ve included green spaces, supermarkets, and cinemas with autism friendly hours, plus suggestions for where autistic people could pursue their special interests or connect with other like-minded people.
[Disclaimer – This list is not exhaustive. We are not affiliated with any businesses or public spaces listed below and these are only suggestions. Please check opening times and any relevant information that may affect you personally before your visit. ]
Nature
Bradgate Park – Bradgate Park, Bradgate Road Newtown Linford, Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire LE6 0HB
A beautiful forest park with good accessibility and paths throughout. Has free roaming deer, some ruins, and a stream through part of the area. There is a cafe halfway along the path between the two entrances. Can get busy with families at weekends.
Watermead Park – Wanlip Rd, Fillingate, Leicester LE7 8PF
One of the best parks in Leicestershire for bird watching. A large park with plenty of areas to explore with multiple lakes, reed-beds, and wildflower meadows. Surfaced paths throughout, providing good accessibility. Angling available – plus model boating, sailing, and windsurfing via the local clubs, who are responsible for these activities.
Leicester University Botanic Garden – Glebe Road, Leicester LE2 2LD
With a water garden, desert house and herb beds among many other features the Botanic Gardens are a lovely quiet place to visit – entrance is free for all visitors.
Libraries & Museums
Libraries –
There are 16 libraries across Leicester managed by the council with free access to books, computers, and information. Click this link to find your nearest library.
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery – 53 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 7EA
Formerly known as the New Walk Museum it features multiple galleries including Wild Space, Ancient Egypt, the Victorian Art Gallery, and an array of temporary exhibitions. It is free to visit (although a suggested donation of £3 is appreciated) and there is a cafe on site.
Retro Computer Museum – Unit A, Troon Way Business Centre, Humberstone Lane, Leicester, LE4 9HA
A little-known museum open at weekends where you can play on classic consoles spanning decades. With original hardware and a vast software library it will keep you entertained for hours.
King Richard III Visitor Centre – 4A St Martins, Old Town, Leicester, LE1 5DB
The amazing story of how a King was found buried under a car park in Leicester. This interactive museum is open every day and tickets can be purchase online. The centre has additional support available on site for those with disabilities, their helpers and official carers and there is a downloadable accessibility guide with plenty of information. To get the accessibility guide please click this link.
Eating Out and Socialising
World Peace Cafe, 17 Guildhall Lane, LE1 5FQ
Open Tuesday to Saturday this Vegan & Vegetarian Cafe offers a peaceful space to enjoy some delicious food cooked by volunteers. There are meditation classes available where you can learn Buddha teachings and how to meditate. Click for the world peace cafe website
Re-Roll Board Game Café, 36 Granby Street (upper floors), Leicester LE1 1DE
If you enjoy boardgames or trading cards games, this is a great place to hang out with likeminded people – where you can enjoy use of the boardgames library, social games nights and special events. You can just turn up – or reserve games and tables in advance. Snacks and drinks are on sale too. Click here for the Re-Roll Cafe website
Geek Retreat, 32 Cank Street, Leicester, LE1 5GX
Games shop / café. Play or buy a wide range of games – such as boardgames and trading card games. Snacks and drinks are available to buy. Click here for the Geek Retreat website
Sport
FTM Dance – provides performing arts and creative arts related activities, sessions and workshops for individuals with a range of needs and abilities, including for autistic people, people with ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy. Click here for the FTM Dance website
Blaby Spartans Football Club – Countesthorpe Academy, Winchester Road, Countesthorpe, Leicester, LE8 5PR.
Blaby District Spartans Inclusive Football Club is specifically for players aged 16+ who have a variety of different needs - including Autism and ADHD. Click here for the Blaby Spartans website
Days Out
King Power Stadium – Leicester City Football Club, King Power Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL
Home of the mighty Leicester City Football Club, the King Power Stadium strives to be as inclusive as possible to all visitors. This includes providing free autism packs on home match days. The packs, which include ear defenders, sensory tangles and further matchday information, are available for every game at King Power Stadium for autistic supporters, their families, or carers.
National Space Centre – Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS
The National Space Centre in Leicester has a wide range of interactive exhibits and the UK’s largest planetarium to make space educating, engaging and enjoyable for all. They have multi-sensory backpacks available to borrow which include ear defenders and lots of tactile sensory items. During busy periods they will fast track visitors with an autism spectrum condition and there are quiet spaces available for those who may need it. Please note that a few of the exhibits do feature loud noise/flashes, if you wish to avoid those, please tell a member of staff who will be able to guide you. They also have special events:
Space Lates – Quieter evenings with talks and workshops for those who want to delve deeper into space science.
Accessible Afternoons – An afternoon to support children, young adults and families with additional needs and disabilities, designed for SEND visitors who would benefit from a quieter experience.
Great Central Railway Leicester North – Off Station Rd, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR
The Great Central Railway is the UK’s only double track, main line heritage railway. Although the trains can be loud it’s a wonderful place to go to either just sit quietly watching the railway or purchase a ticket for a special train ride of your own. They often run special events which are listed on the website. Click here for GCR website
Cinema
Click here for a useful link about autism friendly cinema screenings nationwide
Phoenix Cinema – 4 Midland Street, Leicester, LE1 1TG
Phoenix Cinema holds regular Access Cinema sessions in a supportive environment. The Autism Friendly screenings have with reduced sound levels, partially raised lighting, no trailers and freedom to move around. When possible, they also provide a separate space to relax in. Click here for the Phoenix Cinema website
Odeon Leicester – Click here for the Odeon website
Hosts one autism friendly movie screening a month on a Sunday morning. Use the filter ‘Autfriend’ when viewing all movies to find a suitable screening.
Showcase Leicester – Click here for the Showcase website
Offers autism friendly screenings every Sunday at 10am with lowered volume, no trailers and soft lighting
Vue Leicester – Click here for the Vue website
Has autism friendly screenings on the last Sunday of every month. Although guests are asked to choose specific seats when booking they welcome anyone who wants to move around or make some noise
Shopping
Highcross Leicester – 5 Shires Lane, Leicester, LE1 4AN
Every Saturday morning 9am – 10am they have a quiet hour where retailers and staff work to create a quieter shopping environment than normal.
Tesco
Tesco is a sunflower member so staff know that anyone with a sunflower lanyard may need a little extra help or time. All stores have a quiet hour on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am – 10am with reduced lighting also in larger stores. There are also visual guides and shopping lists available to download from the Tesco website here
Asda
Asda have a quiet hour every 2pm-3pm Monday – Thursday where they turn off the radio and limit tannoy announcements to emergencies only.
Morrisons
Morrisons offers a quiet hour every Saturday from 9am – 10am where lights are dimmed, radio switched off and checkout/till noise reduced. They also say on the website that all staff in stores have undertaken disability training and will ensure that as far as possible any additional needs are met. Please ask at the Customer Service Desk if you require any assistance. Please click here for the Morrisons website
